Sorrento (Campania, Italy)

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Perched high on a cliff and surrounded on three sides by deep ravines, Sorrento is an enchanting town. Its spectacular position overlooking the sea to Vesuvius in the distance has been attracting visitors since the early 19th century. Today it is a lively, vibrant resort, a lovely place to get a feel for the southern Italian way of life.

Not without reason is Sorrento one of Italy's most popular resorts: its temperate climate, undeniably scenic coastal setting and refined ambience have been attracting foreign visitors for over 200 years. Though it hasn't a lot of individual sights to boast of, it's a superb town for wandering, and comfortable, too, given that it measures a compact, fairly level 2¼ by ¾ mls.

There are two public beaches, Marina Piccola has a tiny patch of dark sand/shingle protected by a long jetty and Marina Grande has a tiny, crowded strip of sand, plus groups of wooden platforms with amenities.

This city caters for both upmarket and middlemarket visitors. There is not much to do for children, who may find it boring. It is beautiful and titillating for singles, romantic for couples of all ages and very popular with honeymooners.

Locality:

Sorrento is located about a third of the way up the W coast of the boot of Italy, on the S side of the Bay of Naples ( 160 mls SE of Rome, 11 mls W of Positano, 22 mls W of Amalfi, 34 mls S of Naples and its airport). Sorrento is positioned in a sheltered spot on a flattish clifftop terrace, 50 yds above the sea, surrounded by steeply rising, thickly wooded hills with olive and citrus groves and vineyards. Bordered on one side by steep cliffs; a deep gorge runs down to a port.

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The wonders of Pompeii are within easy reach, or you can take a ferry or hydrofoil to the islands in the bay. The most famous is Capri, a magical spot with dramatic cliffs and rocks and an abundance of luxuriant suptropical plants plus designer shops at designer prices. Its neighbour Ischia has many excellent beaches and is known for its hot mineral springs, which have attracted cure-seekers since Roman times. Back on the mainland, don't miss the chance to drive along the spectacular road that borders the Amalfi coast and, of course, dont miss out on a visit to Rome while you are there.

One of the great pleasures of the day is to join the locals in their traditional stroll or passegiata through the old town, a ritual that begins at dusk and continues well into the evening. Wander the same streets by day when the shops are open, and you will be tempted by an array of local crafts such as perfume, lace, straw plaiting and inlaid walnut woodwork, Sorrento's speciality.

The graceful peak of Mt Vesuvius is visible from most places. Sorrento is not only an attraction in itself, but serves as an ideal base for visiting nearby sights, such as the picturesque villages of the rugged Amalfi coastline, Naples and the ancient sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum are all within easy reach.

Daylight brings an array of water sports, tennis, or simply watching the world go by from a cafe terrace. Frequent religious events and processions are held at the Cathedral. There are also some fantastic archaeological and cultural museums.

Night time offers a few discos and piano bars. A cinema with films dubbed in Italian. Atmospheric Foreigners' Club with live music. Classical-music concerts in the cloisters of San Francesco in the summer. 2 British-style pubs and a theatre. Many hotels, particularly the far-flung, have musical evenings and dancing.

There is an Impressive choice of pizzerias and restaurants, with the emphasis on S Italian cuisine. Plenty of authentic trattorias and ice-cream parlours (some of which offer over 40 flavours). Local specialities include seafood, various almond cakes and tarts, and smoked or grilled cheeses.

Local excursions can be taken to Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum, Naples, Ischia, Vesuvius and local titbits, the Baths of Diana, scene of pagan rites, and the Grottoes of the Mermaids. Yacht cruises.

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Population: 58.103.000
Languages: Italian (official); German-, French-, and Slovene-
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Italy - Rome

Italy - Rome

Country Dialling Code: +39
Voltage: 127/220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

2 circular prongs aligned with earth connector

Italy is often described as an open-air art gallery - every town and village seems to have a beautiful little church to wander round or a historic square where you can sit and enjoy a cappuccino. You will stumble over theatres and other buildings dating back to ancient Greek and Roman times. Visit Roman ruins, gawk at Renaissance art, stay in tiny medieval hill towns, go skiing in the Alps, explore the canals of Venice and gaze at beautiful churches. Naturally you can also indulge in the pleasures of la dolce vita : good food, good wine and improving your wardrobe.

Italy dips down out of Europe and into the Mediterranean like a women's leg firmly planted in a sleek stiletto, so it's hardly surprising that Italians are known for their impeccable style and fashionable dress sense. They're also known for once having an empire that stretched across the globe, and for having the most spectacular churches, frescos, sculptures and Renaissance paintings in all of Europe.

The Italy of today is littered with the relics of more than 3,000 years of history, and an atmosphere that ranges from the Armani-wearing-scooter-driving-espresso-drinking buzz of its cities to the quiet, pastoral existence of its hillside olive farms and seaside fishing villages.

From the depths of the canals in Venice, which floats on a series of islands in an Adriatic lagoon, and the bleached sands of San Remo on the Riviera, to the rocky crags of the Alps, Dolomites and Apennines, Italy has everything from beach holidays to luxury mountain ski resorts.

Italy's cities reveal awe-inspiring architecture from the curved arches of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence to the crumbling magnificence of the Colisseum in Rome. Home of da Vinci, Michelangelo, Carvaggio and Botticelli, its artworks are a visual delight to all visitors.

Nestled into the outskirts of Rome is the independent Vatican City, the seat of the Pope and home to the famous St Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. The influence of the Holy Catholic Church on the people of Italy is still evident today in a series of holy festivals, carnivals, and parades involving young and old alike in almost every city, town and village.