Sorrento proves the old adage that good things come in small packages. Home to just under 17,000 people, this beautiful town in Southern Italy has been a favourite destination for Italy vacations since the days when Roman emperors were taking holidays.
Nestled on the southern tip of Italy overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a breathtaking stop for Italy tours. Here you’ll find beauty and possibility in contradictions juxtaposed by nature and humanity.
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And now is the perfect time to go! Avventure Bellissime’s popular “Semi-Private 10-Day Italian Vacation Package featuring the Amalfi Coast” is on special, and it includes two magical days in Sorrento!
Sorrento lies where the mountains meet the Mediterranean Sea, a rich historical past is not forgotten amid a vibrant modern-day culture, and leisure activities range from enjoying folkloric traditions to exploring hiking trails.
The landscape here is spectacular, with rolling hills, majestic mountains, and verdant valleys made only more unique by carefully man-made terraces, generations of fine architecture, and age-old winding pathways leading the way to the deep blue waters of the bay.
With a Mediterranean climate that boasts mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers, Sorrento draws travellers in all seasons and allows for extensive cultivation of vineyards, fragrant orange and lemon orchards, and olive groves.
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This magical region of Italy has drawn creative personalities to her shores from around the globe for centuries. Among those who have relaxed and no doubt soaked in inspiration from Sorrento’s unforgettable vistas are many whose contributions to the arts are legendary.
These include Germany’s respected writer and politician Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Scotland’s celebrated novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott, Norway’s critically acclaimed playwright Henrik Johan Ibsen, English contemporaries and poets Lord Byron and John Keats, and Italy’s own renowned operatic tenor, the late (and much missed) Luciano Pavarotti.
Travellers today will find much to occupy their time and enchant their senses in Sorrento. Its charming, historic city centre has narrow streets to explore with little shops and vendors selling all manner of hand-crafted items and artisan gifts, most notably delicately inlaid wooden boxes or other items created by marquetry craftsmen and wonderfully embroidered linens, and delicious confections. Those looking for fashionable Italian shops need only venture over to the Corso Italia.
Outdoor enthusiasts have many options in Sorrento, from enjoying the local scenery from numerous hiking trails, relaxing on beautiful beaches, renting a boat, or heading to nearby water or amusement parks.
Cultural opportunities include taking in a show at Tasso Theatre, enjoying the rich night life, or exploring the impressive collections at either the Correale di Terranova Museum or the Museo-Bottega della Tarsia Lignea, with its particular focus on the mastery of wooden marquetry.
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Don’t forget to try the refreshing lemon liqueur produced in and around Sorrento that is traditionally served as an after dinner drink to aid digestion.
Called Limoncello, its exact origins are disputed but it has been enjoyed as a digestivo beverage for around 100 years. Many suppose it was created by monks, who created concoctions from herbs, local produce, and alcohol for medicinal purposes.
Limoncello is distinctive, with a bright yellow colour and refreshing lemon taste that is not too sweet and not too sour. It is made using the zest from the exceptionally thick skins of fresh local Femminello St. Teresa lemons. The zest is added to strong alcohol for several weeks before it is mixed with a simple, sweet sugary syrup.
Try it and you’ll see why this popular Italian liqueur has been added to the dessert menus of fine restaurants in Canada, the United States and elsewhere.
Avventure Bellissime’s Small Group Pompeii and The Amalfi Coast Day Tours from Rome will bring travellers to visit the highlights this unforgettable coastline near Sorrento, notably the stunning coastal town of Amalfi and charming village of Positano, as well as the ancient ruins of Pompeii.
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Alternately, travellers to Sorrento could create lasting memories by booking Avventure Bellissime’s Private Half-Day Shore Excursion of the Famous Ruins of Pompeii from Sorrento. This walking tour with a local expert guide takes you to the inside of excavated homes and through uncovered ruins of the ancient Roman city covered in ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.
Planning a trip to Italy? Visit us at Avventure Bellissime online now to book Italy tours and Italy vacation packages.