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Monte Faito

naples from faito cable car

Monte Faito through the lens of Salvatore de Stefano

Welcome to Monte Faito which at 1,131 metres high is just shorter than nearby Mt. Vesuvius at 1281 metres, but the walk up to Monte Molare takes you to the highest point of the Amalfi Peninsula at 1441 metres. The Funivia, cable car, located at Castellammare di Stabia railway station takes just 10 minutes to transport visitors from a non-stop world to one of tranquility. During that time the Bay of Naples opens up to show the city hugging the sides of Vesuvius and beyond with the Sorrentine Peninsula and Capri on the opposite side. This panoramic view is breathtaking and a perfect introduction to many more magical scenes waiting to be discovered on Faito.

faito walkers

Visitors file out onto the Piazzale Funivia where tour guides quickly lead their groups to the Monastery of San Michele or other popular beauty spots. More experienced trekkers march off towards Positano with all the necessary equipment. Others stroll quietly along the trails to discover for themselves the natural wonders that lie hidden beneath Faito’s canopy. The name Faito originates from faggio (or faggeto), the beech tree.

faito trees

This natural world has long been a passion for Salvatore de Stefano, who for many years has recorded the everchanging environment throughout all seasons. Born in Naples and now living in Vico Equense, Salvatore knows the geography and history of Faito and its role in local culture. This selection of photographs provides a glimpse of life within Faito. There are many more to be seen on the Monte Faito facebook page, link provided below.

faito tree lined road
faito trees sun streaming

Monte Faito was an important source of wood for Castellamare’s ship building facility opened by King Ferdinand of Naples in 1783. The beech trees also gave constant shade to natural pits filled with snow which were covered with rags and leaves to preserve it through to the summer. The snow was dug out and cut into blocks for transportation to Naples for food preservation and cold drinks until the early 1900s.

Evidence of these snow pits called ‘Fosse della Neve’ can still be seen in an area called ‘Neviere’ where they are surrounded by larger beech trees to provide shade. Some of the trees are said to be 400-hundred years old with a diameter of six metres.

monte faito fox
faito mushrooms
chestnut
faito yello flower

Faito is constantly changing with the seasons, every day creating a different atmosphere through light, colour, textures, sounds, flora and fauna to stimulate all the senses. This magical landscape allows you to walk on carpets of chestnuts and gold leaves, rest on moss covered tree stumps and listen to the breeze while keeping cool under the forest canopy.

faito multicolour canopy

The mountain also provides a focal point for the community’s many activities including festivals, sport, competitions, summer camps and even drama productions using the forest as the stage. The faithful walk the trail up to the Sanctuary of San Michele, known as Il Sentiero dell’Angelo (The trail of the Angel) because it was followed by the saints Catello and Antonino. Images from these activities are also recorded on the Monte Faito facebook.

monte faito events

As you begin the journey from Naples airport to Sorrento, Mount Vesuvius is the dominant feature, but as you approach the town of Castellammare, Monte Faito takes over. As the highest point of the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula, visitors would never imagine how easy it is to reach for walks and lunch. The train from Sorrento to Castellamare Di Stabia takes 25 minutes and the cable car, also at the station, takes another 10 minutes to glide to the top. For anyone seeking a little solitude or for families with children looking for a play and learn adventure, Monte Faito offers lots of space. At a height well above 1000 metres and with shade from beech, holm oak and chestnut trees, it is a few degrees cooler than the towns.

salvatore de stefano photographer

Salvatore De Stefano
For more information and images visit the Monte Faito Facebook page which was set up by Salvatore in 2021 to help raise awareness of the beauty of the mountain and as a focal point for the local community.

Details of Salvatore’s other projects can be see on his personal facebook page.

The timetable for the Cable Car which operates from April to November can be found on this link Funivia Timetable.

Rooftop cocktail bar + live music

Enjoy live music at the Hotel Mediterraneo’s Vista Sky Bar with wonderful views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. This rooftop bar provides a perfect spot to watch a glorious sunset with live music, cocktails and finger food to help ensure a relaxing evening.

May to October. Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun from 7.00 pm to 11.30 pm.

The Mediterraneo is a pleasant 25 minute level walk from the centre of Sorrento through a residential area.

Non guests are welcome but we highly recommend booking in advance. Please note that a table and sofa reservation could be subject to minimum spending.

Booking enquiries


Sorrento Exclusive Holidays

Prosit | Full of local flavour

Prosit, an abbreviation of (Prosciutteria and Italiana), is located on the quieter part of the Corso Italia just beyond the Villa Fiorentino. Racks of Parma ham and a cold counter full of traditional meats and cheeses may lead you to believe this is just a shop for local produce. Indeed it will be no surprise to learn that the Pollio family, owners of this new venture, have been involved in providing quality food to Sorrento since 1939 and in the late 60’s introduced the first “modern” supermarket in the whole Peninsula.

The quality and presentation of produce, from a charcuterie board to a full course menu, reflects three generations of sourcing and preparation of the finest local ingredients. With such an excellent selection of regional meats, cheeses and wine, Prosit offers visitors the opportunity to sample the very best of local produce in comfortable surroundings.

Traditional craftsmanship and materials have been used to create eating environments suitable for different occasions, friendly informal or more intimate. Perhaps a charcuterie board or simple pasta in the upstairs dining area or a more substantial lunch or dinner in the downstairs restaurant. Whichever you choose, the bar will always be on hand to serve a cool beer, glass of wine or cocktail… Mine’s an Old Fashioned. Salut!

Prosit Cocktail Bar Sorrento

PROSIT
8 Corso Italia
Sorrento
Website


Sorrento Exclusive Holidays

SyArt Contemporary Art Gallery

SyART is a gallery dedicated to the promotion of up and coming contemporary artists, national and international, and is located at the entrance of the Villa Comunale in the heart of Sorrento. With visitors from all over the world, Sorrento offers artists a perfect location from which to showcase their work.

Many of these works are for sale directly from the gallery with packaging and delivery arranged if required. A wider selection is also available online under the title Affordable Art with prices from 250.00 euros.

Artist: Antonio Di Viccaro
Artist: Emanuel Zoncato

SyArt’s influence extends beyond the gallery’s four walls with works of art erected in public places, or Sorrento’s Open Museum, such as Piazza Sant’Antonino pictured below. Art installations can also be found in hotels and restaurants, examples being the Il Buco restaurant, Art Restaurant CuCù and Antonino Esposito Pizza e Cucina.

Artist: Carmen Novaco

The gallery is also the driving force behind the SyArt Festival and 2023 sees its seventh year and takes place at the beautiful Villa Fiorentino from June to October. Rossella Savarese and Leone Cappiello organise the festival and are responsible for its promotion nationally and internationally. Their vision and passion for contemporary art together with support from the Sorrento Foundation and like minded partners have resulted in the festival attracting worldwide attention.

Rossella Savarese: Gallery manager & Art Curator
Leone Cappiello: Founder

This recognition is demonstrated by the number of artists from many countries submitting their work for the opportunity to exhibit at the festival. Successful entries not only benefit from the associated publicity and public wiewing but also for continued exposure in the SyArt Gallery long after the event. It has become evident that the SyArt Gallery and Festival are ‘must see’ attractions for visitors and sit perfectly with Sorrento’s art and cultural heritage. Incidentally, SyART is an acronym for Sorrento Young ART.

You will find more information about Rossella and Leone, the Gallery, artists and online Affordable Art at SyArt Gallery

Festival details can be viewed at SyArt Festival

Fiore Fashion

“A passion that has become work, the search for the perfect outfit among new trends and a pinch of classicism. We help you choose the garments that suit your style whether casual, classic or youthful.
My ideal clients are between 18 and 90 years old!”


Antonella’s family has had a retail outlet in Sorrento for 50+ years, originally selling furniture and household accessories. As the needs and expectations of the local community changed together with an ever increasing tourist market, so did the business. The family’s younger generation rose to the challenge and opportunities this presented by establishing Fiore Fashion.

While the products being sold may have changed the one important thing that hasn’t is the personal service. This is reflected in the continued support from the local clientele and worldwide visitors who maintain contact and supply through Antonella’s strong social media presence and online store.

Patrizia Pepe, Sandro Ferrone, Le Streghe, Kontatto, Albano and Hinnominate are just some of the influential designer labels that Antonella brings to her clientele and gained her a reputation for traditional and ‘personal statement’ collections, for all ages and occasions. The above outfit has shoes from Albano, clothes from Kate by Laltramoda and Penny Black.

Fiore Fashion
Corso Italia 210
Sorrento
Website

Sorrento Wine tours and tasting

This tailor-made 8 day Wine themed holiday offers an exclusive opportunity to visit wineries in the Campania region to taste some of its most famous wines. From Sorrento you will experience vines on the slopes of Vesuvius, inland towards Avellino and the Apennine mountains and on terraces perched high above the Amalfi coast, each location as unique as the wines themselves.

Full itinerary and availability here


Sorrento Exclusive Holidays

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


Sorrento Exclusive Holidays

Autori Capresi Exclusive Linen

Cool linen and a warm welcome

We first discovered Autori Capresi in June 2012 during a passiagata through the narrow streets of historic Sorrento. The shop entrance exuded coolness and drew you in from the sultry street air to appreciate a wonderful selection of exquisite and unique hand crafted clothing using the purest and lightest linen. The owner, Antonio Truppa, and his family are passionate about their linen and the production of high quality customised clothes and accessories.

Carefully selected hats, belts, scarves and sandals complement the linen colours and styles to keep you looking and feeling cool. There are outfits for all ages suitable for ‘lay back casual’ to ‘smart casual’ occasions. Perfect for your Neapolitan Riviera vacation and irresistible presents for the grand children!

autori-capresi-linen-sorrento

Not surprisingly such originality and quality have attracted a worldwide following with visitors becoming members of an exclusive client base. Demand from the Sorrento and Capri outlets together with customised orders from existing clientele means there is no online store. All the more reason to add Autori Caprese to your ‘must see’ list during a visit Sorrento or Capri.

Editor’s Note
Autori Capresi launched their new website and online store in January 2023.
Here it is!

Further examples from the Autori Capresi collections can be seen on facebook.

Outlets

Sorrento: Via P. R. Giuliani 21
Capri: Via Fuorlovado 5