Antonino Esposito prepares a fried pizza baked in the oven and embellished with tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil. You’ll find his restaurant in Marina Piccolo.
Credits
Website
Antonino Esposito
All posts by Richard Edwards
Marcello Aversa
Marcello Aversa creates beautifully intricate clay sculptures which include village scenes as well as traditional Nativity and other religious themes. They represent moments of religious significance and everyday activity, capturing emotions of those portrayed in settings from centuries past. This video by Daniele Lancieri provides a glimpse of the artist at work in his studio. There are no English captions but the images tell the story and our feature provides more information about Marcello.
Credits
Marcello Aversa Website
Sorrento walking tour
This video takes you on a gentle stroll through the streets and lanes of Sorrento, down to Marina Grande and Marina Piccola. It is a wonderful introduction to the main places of interest. Prowalk Tours have an excellent library of other walks including Amalfi, Naples, Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum which can be viewed on their YouTube channel, see link below.
Credits
Prowalk Tours YouTube Channel
Luxury rental – Positano
This beautiful 17th century luxury villa enjoys a panoramic position overlooking Positano. The property, enriched by works of art and a wonderful garden, is a unique gem and has already been chosen in the past by celebrities such as Armani, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel and Madonna for their Italian vacations.The historic centre and the beach can be reached on foot in less than five minutes. Full details on this and other properties can be found on the link below. In the meantime, we’ll let Danilo take you on a personal tour of this amazing rental property.
Credits
Romolini Immobiliare Website
Dream Properties
How often do you get the opportunity to buy a vineyard on the Amalfi coast?
Here’s an organic winery with 6 hectares of vineyards, 2 of olive groves and 2 of lemon groves on a cliff overlooking the sea. It is located outside Maiori on the Amalfi Coast just one hour from Positano and one hour 30 minutes from Sorrento. There are also several stone and masonry buildings on the property offering opportunities for restoration and development of an Agriturismo business. Full details on this and other properties can be found on the link below. In the meantime, we’ll let Danilo take you on a personal tour of this wonderful location.
Credits
Romolini Immobiliare Website
Ravello Music Festival
This video blends the breath-taking setting of Ravello with preparations for an outdoor concert at the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium high above the Amalfi coast. Concerts take place from April to November and the Ravello Festival programme of events can be seen on their website.
Credits
Fondazione Ravello | Ravello Festival
Website
Path of the Gods
Enjoy the dramatic and breath taking scenery to be experienced on a walk along the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli dei), high in the Lattari mountains overlooking the Amalfi coast. The background music brings an added dimension to a landscape of myths and legends.
This is one of number of videos produced by Giovanni Visetti who is a professional walking guide and cartographer with unrivalled knowledge of this area. Although recently retired his website still provides an incredible source of information including detailed maps for walkers.
Credits
Giovanni Visetti
Main website
Path of the Gods details.
Made in Sorrento
Established in the 1950’s Sandali Siniscalchi produces customised handmade sandals including ‘Swarovski Elements’. A wonderful fashion souvenir that not only makes you look and feel good but takes you back to Sorrento everytime you slip them on.
Credits
Sandali Siniscalchi
83 Via San Cesareo & 203 Corso Italia
Website and online store
Bellevue Syrene Hotel
Gian Mario Russo, owner of the 5* Bellevue Syrene, presents the fascinating history behind the hotel which stands on roman remains from the 2nd century BC.
Credits
Bellevue Syrene Website
Relais & Chateux Website
This is the official video from Relais & Châteaux which is a collection of gourmet restaurants, boutique hotels, resorts and villas.
Amalfi coast cruise
This promotional video for Exclusive Cruises provides a tantalising glimpse of the Amalfi coastline and its islands. The picturesque towns of Positano, Furore, Amalfi, Praiano, Atrani, Marina del Cantone and Capri all nestled between the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves waiting to be explored. We leave the rest to your imagination.
Credits
Exclusive Cruises
Website
It’s beautiful here
This promotional video for Sorrento was produced by Fondazione Sorrento and Athena Produzioni srl. It includes aerial views of Sorrento and other towns along the Peninsula.
Credits
Fondazione Sorrento
Athena Produzioni srl.
Chef Carmen
Chef Carmen is a trained Master Chef with many years of experience and passion. The school was featured in the American Food Network’s “Recipe for Success”, as one of the most successful cooking vacation in the South of Italy and is considered to be a leader
Chef Carmen offers cooking classes for visitors to Sorrento with a range of traditional Neapolitan meals in a very relaxed and informal atmosphere with humour, patience and boundless energy making the experience even more enjoyable.
Here we see her making a Fettuccine alla bolognese from the kitchen of her Cooking School in Sorrento. Buon appetito!
Chef Carmen Cooking School
Corso Italia, 321
Sorrento
Website
Pacchero with tomato sauce
Top chefs in Sorrento are obviously masters of their skills with a respect and passion for the ingredients and regional influences, seasoned perhaps with life experiences and memories. This can be demonstrated, in my opinion, by this video showing the preparation of the pasta dish, Pacchero with tomato sauce, by two top Chefs, Marco Parizzi from Parizzi di Parma and Giuseppe Aversa from Il Buco in Sorrento.
Enjoy Chef Aversa’s presentation which is full of humour, passion and respect for ingredients from the south. There are English subtitles.
This video was produced as part of a centenary celebration for Pasta Di Martino, a pasta making company. It is located in the town of Gragnano, world famous for the production of dried pasta and home for numerous manufacturers. Some provide factory tours and tastings for visitors and Gragnano is only 25 km from Sorrento.
Credits
Marco Parizzi from Parizzi di Parma
Giuseppe Aversa from Il Buco in Sorrento
Pasta Di Martino
Marcello Aversa Studio d’Arte
Marcello Aversa’s gallery and workshop is located in one of Sorrento’s typical narrow lanes running off the Corsa Italia just a minute’s walk from the Cathedral. There in small shrine-like windows you will find beautifully intricate clay sculptures similar to the example above. The closer you look the more you discover and begin to appreciate the work involved. This video by kind permission of About Sorrento provides a glimpse of the artist at work in his studio.
These creations in clay are incredible examples of patience and devotion as well as skill and attention to the finest details. It is the ‘Art of Presepio’ which includes village scenes as well as traditional Nativity and other religious themes. They represent moments of religious significance and everyday activity, capturing emotions of those portrayed in settings from centuries past. Stonework, foliage, clothing, household items, food baskets and animals, nothing misses the artist’s eye.
Marcello’s website includes a wonderful collection of images which enable the viewer to ‘get in close’ and discover the intricacies of each work, view here. His work can be seen in Sorrento’s Cathedral and in private and public collections throughout the world.
The Art Studio
Marcello’s association with clay goes back to his family’s work at the brick making furnaces in Maiano, 2.5 km from his studio. Brick making activity in Maiano dates back to the 15th century and the particular characteristics of the red Maiano bricks are renowned throughout Italy. There used to be several furnaces, now only two remain. It is this erosion of long lost skills that makes him so passionate about preserving traditional and encouraging new craft skills in the region. For this purpose he provides space in his gallery to exhibit original works of art from a range of artists and designers. Here is a small selection and more examples can be viewed on Marcello Aversa’s Studio d’Arte facebook page.
Beyond this exhibition space lies another ambition, which is to help establish a permanent indigenous crafts centre in Maiano to preserve and develop traditional skills and inform visitors about the role the furnaces played in ‘building’ communities throughout Italy. A centre built with Maiano bricks and tiles would certainly be a fitting tribute to generations of skilled craftsmen in this region. We wish Marcello every success.
Marcello Aversa
3 Via Antonino Sersale
Sorrento
Things to do in Sorrento
Walking tour of Sorrento
For first time visitors to Sorrento and the Amalfi coast we have listed our top list of attractions and locations that will provide an introduction to the history, culture and beauty of this remarkable region
Most of the historic attractions are within a 500 m radius of the main Tasso Square which is the suggested starting point for our quick guide for visitors. In the square, behind the statue of Torquato Tasso and next to the Florist, is a narrow lane (Via S M Pietà) where on the corner you will find the Correale House, and further along the Correale Palace, the Veniero Palace and the Fifteenth Century House. At the end of the lane you find the Bishop’s Palace, Cathedral Belltower and the Cathedral itself.
Continue past the Cathedral alongside the main street (Corso Italia) until you come to the first turning on your left which is Via Sersale and this will take you to the ‘Greek’ Walls, now restored and accessible to the public. Retrace your steps to Corsa Italia and on your left is the Church of the Servants of Mary, if you then return past the Cathedral until the Bell Tower you can cross the road into the narrow lane directly opposite (Via P R Giuliani) to find the Dominova Seat. Continue down Via P R Giuliani until Via V Veneto and turn left past the Hotel Tramontano to find the House of Tasso (actually part of the hotel Tramontano) on the Piazza Vittoria.
Walking back past the Hotel Tramontano’s main entrance will bring you to the Church and Cloister of Saint Francis on the first turning left. Coming out of here turn left and follow Via S Francesco until Piazza S’Antonino to find the Basilica of St.Antonino. Continue along this road to return to the starting point on the main Piazza Tasso where you will be able to see the Sancturary Of Carmine just past the entrance to the Excelsior Vittoria Hotel.
The Correale Museum on the Via Correale, five minutes from Piazza Tasso, and the Wood Inlay Museum (Museobottega della Tarsialignea) on Via S Nicola in Sorrento’s historic centre, both provide an excellent overview of the art, history and culture of Sorrento. Other churches to be discovered in the historic centre include the Church of Annunciation (Via Fuoro), Church of the Rosary (near Via Torquato Tasso) the Church of St Mary and the Miracles (Via S M delle Grazie).
Marina Grande is Sorrento’s traditional fishing harbour in a beautiful and tranquil setting where you can spend a couple of hours just relaxing and enjoying the view across to Naples and Vesuvius. The restaurants and cafes on the water’s edge offer a selection of traditional snacks and fresh fish dishes.
The walk down from the Piassa Tasso is in itself an enjoyable experience through bougainvillea covered lanes, down ancient steps and passages that lead to a delightful view of the harbour. For the less mobile there is also a regular bus service from the Piazza Tasso to the harbour.
Every evening offers the opportunity to take part in one of Italy’s most popular pastimes for all ages and that is the Passegiatta. Simply take a walk along the main streets and enjoy the friendly and family atmosphere as people browse the shop windows, the majority of which stay open until 10.00 pm, or sit outside a bar, cafe or ice cream parlour and watch the world go by. This is the place to see and be seen so dress accordingly, particularly on the weekends. Sorrento centre is a very safe and family friendly place to spend evenings.
Villa Comunale is Sorrento’s largest public park and sits on a cliff top with uninterrupted panoramic views across the Bay of Naples including Vesuvius, Naples and towards Capri. Tropical plants, palm trees and statues make it a comfortable shaded place to just sit and watch the world go by. For the more adventurous there are steps that zig zag down to Sorrento’s main harbour, Marina Piccola, and also private bathing platforms. A more recent and easier option is the lift. Entrance to the park is in front of the Cloisters of St Francis close to the hotel Tramontano.
Massa Lubrense and Sant Agnello
A ten minute bus ride will take you from the bustling centre of Sorrento to Massa Lubrense, a pleasant coastal town with a fishing harbour and small beaches, Puolo and La Cala di Puolo. This small town together with a number of other villages are located in the beautiful unspoilt countryside of the Sorrentine Peninsula with its magnificent views. Many of these villages are linked by a number of ‘well marked’ walking trails as well as regular bus service. Here is a list of villages to be considered.
Capo Ruins of Villa di Pollius Felix ruins, ‘Bath of Queen Joan’ sea pool.
Sant’Agata Mountain village with excellent views from the ‘Desert’.
Nerano Pleasant village and start for a number of walking trails and a beach.
Marina del Cantone Beach and views of Li Galli (Home of the mythical Sirens).
Termini Village with views of Capri and access to La Cala di Mitigliano beach.
Marina di Puolo Pleasant fishing village and beach.
Marina della Lobra Picturesque fishing village with small beach.
More information about walks, including maps and guides, can be found in the Activities section. There is also a ‘Country Tour’ which visits some of these towns and villages and provides the opportunity to stop and sample local produce. More details in the Excursions section.
A thirty minute walk, or five minute bus ride, from the centre of Sorrento will take you to the town of Sant Agnello, a residential area with attractive buildings and shops. Just follow the main street, Corsa Italia, from Tasso Square and you will begin to experience everyday life in Sorrento (the road narrows in one or two places and needs extra precaution). After a light lunch you can return using a different and quieter route which goes through the residential area and offers a number of cliff top viewing points. In particular, the terrace directly opposite the Mediterraneo hotel where there is also a cafe. Eventually you pass the Correale Museum and follow the Via Correale back to Piazza Tasso.
Amalfi Drive
For the first time visitor the Amalfi Drive excursion offers a comfortable and informative way of experiencing the breathtaking scenery along the infamous Amalfi coast road and also to visit Amalfi and Ravello. Amalfi has its Cathedral, beach and ‘Emerald Grotto’ and Ravello its Cathedral, villas, gardens and of course fantastic views. The journey also provides superb views of Capri and Il Galli rocks, where the mythological Sirens lived according to the legendary story of Odysseus.
Other towns you will pass or be able to view from a distance include:
Positano Perched on the mountain side with its Cathedral, boutiques and beach.
Priano San Luca church, beaches, diving, tranquil setting and panoramic views.
Conca dei Marini Emerald Grotto, convent of St Rosa and the Conca tower.
Atrani Just 700 m from Amalfi, typical fishermen’s town with Cathedral.
Scala Quiet village overlooking Ravello with Cathedral and vineyards.
Minori A delightful seaside resort, Roman villa ruins, Basilica and churches.
Maiori Largest seaside resort on Amalfi coast. Long volcanic beach.
Pompeii
Sorrento is only 45 minutes from Pompeii and provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to visit this world famous archaeological site to see how people lived in 79 AD at the time Mount Vesuvius erupted and engulfed Pompeii. There are countless books, TV documentaries and images about Pompeii but nothing comes close to actually walking through the town with Vesuvius in the background.
A guided tour is recommended to help ensure you see and obtain factual information about the main attractions of this very large site. The air conditioned coach is also a benefit for the return journey to Sorrento after two or more hours walking with very little shade.
Pompeii, Vesuvius, Herculaneum and Naples and easily accessible from Sorrento by public transport or with an organised tours. Friends of Sorrento offers a comprehensive selection of excursions which can be viewed here.
The island of Capri
The beautiful island of Capri is just a short ferry crossing from the port of Sorrento (Marina Piccolo) which in itself provides wonderful views of the Sorrento coastline as you sail to Capri’s harbour. On the island you can explore the towns of Capri and Anacapri, visit the Axel Munthe museum at the Villa San Michele, walk to the Roman ruins, take a cable car to the top of the island or take a boat to the Blue Grotto under the island. There is much to see including a street full of exclusive fashion designers. If the thought of purchasing tickets, getting around the island or missing the last boat back bothers you, try an organised tour which includes transfers from and to your hotel in Sorrento.
Buona giornata
Sorrento + Rome
Rome is just a one hour train journey to Naples or a three hour drive to Sorrento and with regular UK flights to Rome and Naples, a two city holiday is a very attractive option. With two days to explore the Eternal City and five based in Sorrento to discover the Neapolitan Riviera this holiday offers a perfect blend of culture and the Dolce Vita.
What’s included
- 4/5* Hotels with breakfast
- Private transfers from Rome and Naples airports
- Transfer to Naples by train with private transfer by car to Sorrento
- Option for private transfer by car from Rome to Sorrento
- Private tour of the Amalfi coast with visits to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello
- Guided tour of Pompeii with wine tasting
- Guided tour of Capri
- Optional tours and activities, see list below
- Friends of Sorrento support before and during visit
Availability
May to October 2025.
Price on request based on two adults sharing a double room.
Day One
Welcomed at Rome airport where your driver will be waiting to take you to the hotel.
Evening: Free time
Day Two
A day to explore some of the main sites in this incredible city.
Evening: Free time.
Day Three
Another day to enjoy the sites of Rome before your late afternoon train to Naples where you will met at the station by your driver. Sit back and enjoy beautiful views across the Bay of Naples as you drive through Castellammare di Stabia, Vico Equense, Meta, Piano di Sorrento and Sant’Agnello and to the hotel in Sorrento.
Evening: Free time.
Day Four
Enjoy a relaxing day to explore the maze of narrow lanes in Sorrento with its myriad of shops and historic buildings. The fishing harbour in Marina Grande provides a perfect end to a pleasant stroll from the town centre and offers a wonderful choice of restaurants along the small beach and promenade. It’s a superb location for an alfresco lunch or dinner where you look across the Bay towards Naples and Vesuvius.
Day Five
It’s 9.00 am and your driver will be waiting at your hotel to take you on a private tour of the Amalfi coast with visits to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Try to resist the temptation to stay too long in Positano if you want to explore Amalfi and Ravello at a leisurely pace. Recommendations for restaurants will be available and booked if required.
Evening: Free time to continue your exploration of the many hidden gems in historic Sorrento including museums, restaurants, boutiques and tasting limoncello in its many forms, including gelato.
Day Six
We start with a guided tour of the remarkable archaeological site of Pompeii. It seems a contradiction that the destructive forces released by Vesuvius not only destroyed and preserved Pompeii but also created a very fertile soil which has helped produce beautiful fruit, vegetables and vines. After the walking tour, we will visit a vineyard for wine tasting and lunch.
Evening: Free time.
Day Seven
Today we cross the Bay of Naples for a guided tour of Capri and Anacapri with opportunities to visit Villa San Michele, take the chair lift to the highest point of the island at 600 metres or enjoy breathtaking views from the Gardens of Augustus. In the famous “Piazzetta” of Capri be amazed by the exclusive boutiques and if time and weather permits, you can take a boat ride to the Blue Grotto.
Evening: Free time
Day Eight
In seven days you would have experienced Rome, Pompeii, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Capri and wonderful Sorrento. It’s time to relax and just enjoy the moment before your private transfer to the airport.
Hotels
Here is a small selection of hotels available including traditional, contemporary or smaller boutique style depending on your preference for character, views and location. Details and images of these and other hotels can be seen on our featured hotels page.
Subject to availability at time of booking.
5* Excelsior Vittoria
An oasis of luxury in the heart of Sorrento with superb views across Bay
4* Tramontano
Central, cliff edge location, superb views across Bay of Naples
4* Corallo
Located in Sant’Agnello with panoramic terraces and views.
Hotel Rome
To be advised
Optional tours and activities
Half day guided tour of Herculaneum
Tour of Naples
Cruise along the Amalfi coast or around Capri
Sunset cruise with cocktails
Cooking class
Further details
To express an interest in this holiday please use the form below or phone: +44 (0) 1446 771220.
Sorrento + Shopping
A unique opportunity for a group of friends to visit the shops in the beautiful Neapolitan Riviera. Very smart accommodation located in the heart of Sorrento will provide the chance to explore Sorrento’s own range of shops and to visit the boutiques in Positano, the exclusive designer outlets on Capri and of course Naples itself. The air conditioned limousine and your own personal shopper will escort you to a selection of shops that suit your tastes.
Availability
May to October.
Price on request based on a minimum 4 places.
For larger groups please get in touch.
Shopping List
- Private airport transfers
- 4 nights at a 4/5* hotel in central Sorrento
- Shopping excursions in Sorrento and Capri with personal shopper
- Shopping excursion to Naples with personal shopper
- Private Amalfi coast tour with stops at Positano, Amalfi and Ravello
- Friends of Sorrento support before and during visit
- Optional activities for ‘non-shopping’ partners
Day One
Arrive in Naples, where you will be met by your private limousine which will take you to your accommodation where you can enjoy a welcome drink before a period of relaxation. In the evening some free to start exploring Sorrento where the shops are open from 10 am – 1 pm and 4 pm – 10 pm.
Day Two
At breakfast you will meet your personal shopper who will ask about your favourite fashion styles and any specific requirements. Then onto the ferry for a quick crossing to Capri where you will visit the exclusive designer shops for which Capri is world famous. After a break for lunch there will be time to explore some of Capri’s many other attractions before returning to Sorrento.
Day Three
Today gives you the opportunity to relax and discover the breathtaking views of the Amalfi coastline with its dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. First stop will be Positano where you will be able to wander through the narrow lanes which also has a reputation for its fashion boutiques. You continue to Amalfi with some free time for site seeing and then a beautiful drive up to the village of Scala to enjoy a lunch (included) in a traditional trattoria. Finally, you reach Ravello with is spectacular views and enough time to visit the ancient Villa Rufulo and its gardens. Return to the hotel late afternoon for relaxation and an evening of free time.
Day Four
Off to Naples with your personal shopper to visit the large stores, designer boutiques and the famous narrow streets full of shops of all descriptions. There will be time for lunch and a tour of the main attractions. Return to Sorrento for a period of relaxation before dinner.
Day Five
Depending on flight times there may be time to try on those shoes you saw in Sorrento before the limousine takes you to the airport.
Further details
To express an interest in this tour, please use the form below or phone: +44 (0)1446 771220.
158 Studio | Contemporary jewellery
158 Studio is located in the heart of historic Sorrento and brings together a collection of contemporary jewellery from leading Italian designers including Co.Ro.Jewels, Cristina Fava, Francesca Bianchi, Vitti Ferria Contin, Dario Scapitta and many more. Patterns and textures found in natural and man made materials provide the inspiration for many of the pieces on display.
Some of the creations are miniature sculptures and works of art in their own right. Everyday materials are transformed into decorative pieces with colours, shapes, patterns and textures emphasised to create a unique fashion accessory. The latest technology using 3D printed Nylon brings lightness and flexibility to others.
More traditional materials of gold, silver, pearls and gem stones are also used to produce a range of contemporary fashion jewellery suitable for all occasions and moods. There is a wonderful diversity of innovative designs, each one a statement piece reflecting the personality of the person who wears it. What statement would you like to make?
158 Studio
Nicoletta Passarelli will be pleased to show the latest designer collections during your visit to Sorrento. Until then you can view and purchase items on line.
More examples are on display on Instagram and Facebook.
158 Studio
Via San Francesco, 21
Sorrento
Lemon Jazz Festival
(July 6 to 14)
A week full of zest at Villa Fiorentino with five evenings of jazz.
Sorrento is preparing to celebrate the flavors and colours of its land with an event that has become an appointment awaited by many for the great music and the beautiful location. The Festival offers a program as fresh as lemon thanks to the international names that will perform in the wonderful Villa Fiorentino.
6 July the Opening is by Tuck and Patty, a duo that has been collecting successes for more than 35 years They conquered jazz fans since their first album “Tears of Joy”, in particular with the cover of the song “Time after Time” by Cindy Lauper.
On Sunday, 7 July, Doug Lawrence and John Trentacosta, two figures of the American Jazz for an evening of cultural and artistic exchange between the city of Sorrento and Santa Fé (New Mexico), Saxophonist Lawrence boasts a career full of prestigious collaborations. His saxophone in fact played for artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, just to name some. The New York drummer Trentacosta after academic training has collected continuous successes and remains a reference point for his kind.
On Friday, 12 July, the young Jezzmeia Horn will perform, nominated at the Grammy Awards, which is currently one of the most prestigious and appreciated voices of the Naturalness and look towards a modern approach to enunciation are some of the characteristics of its art.
Saturday 13 July will be the time of a young wonder, Francesco Cafiso, a name now known and consolidated on the scenery of International Jazz, which has conquered very young Sunday 14 July still great music with Scott Henderson in trio, an artist who doesn’t need presentations because he is known as one of the best guitarists in the world, already guitarist of Chick Corea and said as international star after the success of the Tribal Tech.
Starts at 9 pm and entrance to the concerts is free until places are exhausted.
For some reason a gin and tonic seems appropriate.
Marisa Cuomo Wine – A Tale of Passion
Having seen the name Marisa Cuomo on a number of wine menus we organised a private tour to the winery in Furore. It’s located 45 minutes from Positano and 500 m above the Amalfi coastal road. This wine tour was to prove stimulating not just for our taste buds but for all the senses.
After turning off the coastal road we began the winding ascent to Furore with each bend offering picture postcard scenes of the coastline far below and mountains high above. Having been used to seeing rows of vines on a rolling landscape it was hard to see where the vineyards could possibly lie in such a vertical environment.
However, following a warm welcome at the winery everything became clear as the Marisa Cuomo story unfolded during the introduction and visits to the cellars, hand-cut into the rock, and the steep, almost hidden, terraces. The main cultivation system is the ‘pergola’ with vines often planted on vertical rock faces with manual labour and donkeys still carrying the burden. Some of the wines are classed as Extreme and Heroic because of the challenging conditions.
Bruna was our guide and her description sounded more like a novel than a tour. A story of romance, dramatic landscapes, physical struggles and passion to produce beautiful wines. In 1983 the vineyard was a wedding gift from Andrea Ferraioli to Marisa and like true love, flourished over the years. Their determination, together with generations of experience and physical toil has resulted in a cellar with a world wide reputation.
In addition to vineyards in Furore, they have others located along the Amalfi coast. Ancient vines producing unique tastes influenced by the earth in which they grow and the mountain air they absorb. Tronto, Tintore, Sciascinoso, Ripolo, Pepella, Ginestra, Piedirosso, and Fenile are the grape varieties blended to create nine Marisa Cuomo wines listed below.
Furore Bianco, Furore Rosso.
Ravello Bianco, Ravello Rosso.
Furore Bianco Fiorduva, Furore Rosso Riserva.
Costa d’Amalfi Rosso, Costa d’Amalfi Rosato, Costa d’Amalfi Bianco.
Marisa Cuomo wines are available in the UK and stockists found with Google search
Tastings took place at the Ristorante Bacco, located opposite the winery with a table for two on a terrace open to spectacular views of the mountains and coastline. There was a choice of menus each with a selection of three wines to complement the dishes and ours included the award-winning Furore Bianco Fiorduva.
How the different landscapes and soils influenced the intricacies of each wine were explained to us as the dishes were served; citrus from lemon groves, minerals in more rocky ground and much more. It was an exceptional meal with superb wines in a truly wonderful setting followed by a relaxing drive back to Sorrento.
Whenever we open wine from Marisa Cuomo it is not only the flavours that rekindle memories of our visit but also the label. Each wine has its own illustration as if taken from a storybook, but a story based on real people and real places. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or a romantic you should find this tale of passion and fortitude in a beautiful but unforgiving landscape fascinating.
Based on our experience Friends of Sorrento provides a private tour to Marisa Cuomo including time to visit Positano. See itinerary
Full details about the Marisa Cuomo winery and their wines can be found at their website together with a selection of videos. Here’s a little taster.
Marisa Cuomo
Via G.B. Lama, 16/18
Furore
Website
Naples Underground: The Art Metro
Few people know that beneath the busy streets of Naples lies an extraordinary subterranean art collection, open to any curious traveller for the price of a metro ticket.
Toledo station, designed by Catalan architect Oscar Tusquets Blanca and curated by Italian art critic Achille Bonito Oliva, has been described as “the most beautiful subway stop in Europe”. Wrapped around the entrance hall is an ornate mosaic designed by South African artist William Kentridge, depicting the Naples Procession led by San Gennaro. Figures from Italian history and blood-red musical scores are woven with maps of the city’s first underground rail system: all tiled by hand in the style of the Cosmati masters.
Materials and colours in Toledo station move down through black asphalt to ochre and finally azure, representing the earth’s strata. Descending the escalator, you can gaze up through the cavernous Cratere di Luce (Crater of Light) to the sunshine above. Moving walkways between platforms double as immersive installations. Ponder giant portraits from cultures around the world in The Human Race by Oliviero Toscani; walk on water through By The Sea…You And Me, shimmering oceanic panels by Texan artist Robert Wilson.
At the kaleidoscopic Università station, Egyptian architect Karim Rashid has created a thoroughly psychedelic commute. In this steel hall of mirrors, pink and purple walls glisten like pulled sugar. 3D shapes animate as you walk by, exploring the language of our new digital era. Beyond the turnstiles you’ll meet Rashid’s Conversational Profile, polished black pillar-sculptures in the futurist style of Bertelli’s famous Continuous Profile of Mussolini. And at the exit stairways, each step shows a slice of a screenprint homage to Dante and his beloved muse Beatrice.
If you’re visiting the Museo Archeologico Nazionale on your trip, go via the Museo station to see Mimmo Jodice’s mesmerizing, torchlit photos of ancient bronze statues. A perfect opener for the Farnese Hercules that greets you, fresh from killing his lion, in the museum’s atrium.
A highlight of the Quattro Giornate station on Line 1 is Marisa Albanese’s celestial Combattenti (Fighters). Sitting weightless above the escalators, the sculptures are dedicated to the women of the Italian Resistance—their unsung strength during the WWII uprising of Naples in September 1943.
There are currently 14 ‘art stations’ distributed along lines 1 and 6 of the Metro network, featuring more than 180 works by 90 international artists and architects.
Two new stations, dedicated to the city’s archaeological treasures, are currently in planning. Duomo station will be built around the excavations of a 1st-century temple and athletic race track; Municipio will showcase, among other precious artefacts, the preserved skeletons of three Roman ships.
Samantha Edwards
Most Played | Copywriting + Creative
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For more information and images of the art stations view this excellent video.
List of art stations:
Line 1: Garibaldi, Università, Toledo, Dante, Museo, Materdei, Salvator Rosa, Quattro Giornate, Vanvitelli, Rione Alto
Line 6: Mostra, Augusto, Lala, Mergellina
The metro is open 6:00 to 23:00 every day of the year.
A travelcard, valid for one day, costs 3.50 Euro.
D’Anton Design & Bistro
D‘Anton, the designer bistro, sits comfortably on the corner of Piazza S.Antonino in Sorrento, opposite the Tasso Theatre. From the outside, the tables and chairs present a typical image of a small cafe/bistro serving visitors cappuccino and traditional snacks with a classic view across a pleasant piazza.
However, inside is a collection of Objets d’art filling the room from top to bottom creating a unique ambience. Chandeliers, table lamps, bird cages, statues, paintings, mirrors, ceramics, glass, plant holders, cushions and more compete for attention as a source of inspiration for interior design projects. Try to imagine an Alladin’s cave that has a cocktail bar and food with many of its treasures available for purchase.
Dishes of traditional offerings and original cocktails are presented in an equally imaginative way to compliment the surroundings. In the evenings the atmospheric lighting is perfect for romantic interludes.
If you are looking for a source of inspiration for interior design, an intimate table with a film-set decor, traditional snacks using local produce, cocktails with attitude (try the limoncello cocktail made from Francesca’s secret recipe), or just the perfect cappuccino then D’Anton is the place. Gabriel, pictured below, and Francesca will be pleased to welcome you.
D’Anton Design & Bistro
Piazza Sant’Antonino
Sorrento
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Sunset dinner in the Marina Grande
Let me invite you for a sunset dinner in the picturesque harbour of the Marina Grande. Make your way to the Piazza della Vittoria, at the rear of the Tramomtano Hotel, and with the Bellevue Syrene on your right follow the cobbled lane. This will guide you through hidden villas and secret gardens, down well trodden steps and under an archway which opens to a magnificent vista of the harbour.
In the next hour or so tables will start to fill every available space in and around each restaurant along the water’s edge. Dishes of grilled sardines, plump prawns, fish of the day, crab, lobster ….. will be whisked across the road from kitchen to outside tables. On this occasion we’ll have to ignore the temptation of the long established Trattoria da Emilia and the more recent Soul & Fish restaurant, at least until lunch tomorrow.
Because this evening we are dining at Delfino’s, right on the other side of the harbour, past the children paddling on the beach, the illuminated church and the lady making traditional lace products. From here you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the sunset with the relaxing sound of waves splashing under the boardwalk. The atmosphere is a little quieter with enough table space to allow some privacy for those ‘special’ occasions.
On one side is the fishing harbour and on the other, the bay of Naples with Vesuvius skirted by the lights of Naples just out of the picture on the right. The scene is set, so lets order aperitifs to toast the sunset while we wait for the highlight of the evening, the meal. I’m going for one of Delfino’s specials, Risotto with mussels, clams, squid, octopus and scampi, or perhaps Pasta with clams, zuccine and peeled shrimps, but those Dumplings with smoked cheese and peeled shrimps look tempting ……..
Its popularity with the locals and visitors throughout the year says enough about the food and service which are under the constant supervision of the family owners Andrea, Luisa and Roberto (the quiet one). Nothing more to add except it is advisable to book in advance for an outside table. Buon appetito!
Restaurant Bagni Delfino
Marina Grande, Sorrento
tel: 081 878 2038
Art jewellery by Daniela Pollio
From Daniela Pollio’s studio flows a wealth of creative art jewellery and miniature sculptures. Creations that could easily have fallen out of story book illustrations and dreams, or uncovered from mystical places and long forgotten civilisations. This video by Daniela displays some of her sculptures and you can see wonderful photos of these and art jewellery on her social media pages, links provided below.
Rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, brooches, keyrings and miniatures all seem to have an affiliation with ‘earth’ and ‘people’. Inspiration comes from nature, books and everyday life, including the digital age. Each item lovingly put together and crying out to tell you about itself. Visit the studio, select the piece that captures your imagination and let its story unfold when admirers enquire. Its all part of the experience.
Grimilde & Mufasa
“Grimilde is the Whitesnow’s stepmother, Mufasa is the Simba’s dad. The collection is dedicated to the pleasure of reading. A king and his Queen live in a cottage not a castle, with a lot of flowers with human faces. The crowns are on simple chairs not thrones. All the things go out of the books and materialise.”
Daniela Pollio
You can view Daniela’s collections of art jewellery and miniatures on Instagram and Facebook.
For contact information visit her Website
