My introduction to the Amalfi Coast started many years ago during a business trip to Sorrento. It was a regional sales kick off for the company I worked for and all of its European sales leaders. The event was always hosted in a desirable location and while it was a lot of work for my colleagues and I, we always had great fun and we would actually get to experience the city. When I first arrived in Sorrento on a January afternoon, I was struck by the smell of lemons. I remember texting friends back home saying, “this place smells like Lemon Pledge”. Sorrento, the entire region in fact, is known for its lemon growth and the city is sprinkled with lemon trees. And of course, lemons trees equal lemoncello! Which can be tasted in a variety of stores in Sorrento. To me, this is the city to shop till you drop!
While every village on the coast will have its own collection of chic shops, Sorrento’s sheer scale of shops makes it the place to go for the day to stroll the streets and buy your memorabilia. Do take the time to meander off the main areas and have a spritz with a view.
I like to start my day in the Piazza Tasso, the main square, for a cappuccino and then embark on Corso Italia to stroll the shops. One of my favorite shops is Miele Giooielli. It’s a jewelry shop a little off the main path, that has been written up in the 100 places a girl should go in Italy book. It also happens to be owned by my lovely friend Rosalba. She is not just a jewelry maker, she is an artist. I’m a huge fan of her Cameo work. If she’s not really busy, she will show you how she carves them out of the inside of a sea shell. It’s fascinating!
When I’m ready for a shopping break I like to hit my all-time favorite pizza place in the world…Pizzeria da Franco. Yes, I’ve had pizza all over this country but this place makes me salivate from 1,500 miles away…now that’s saying something!! This pizza alone is worth coming here for the day! Picnic tables, ham hocks hanging from the ceiling and a meter of pizza. Life is good!
Just this past year, my friend Alessandro introduced me to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria as a place to have an afternoon aperol spritz on the patio to take in an amazing view. This spot will give you insta-worthy snaps! (see feature image)
In terms of hotels I’ve stayed at in Sorrento, there has only been one, the Hilton Sorrento Palace. It’s perfect property for a large event with its meeting facilities but It’s also positioned in such a way that every room has a lovely view.
Like all Italian villages, you can count on finding at least one beautiful church. In Sorrento’s case, one of my favorites is Basilica di Sant’ Antonino. It’s easy to find as you are strolling around the shops and the hotels on the sea.
Sorrento is one of the largest cities on the Amalfi coast with all of the “bigger city” amenities yet the warm sense of community you feel in the smaller villages. And in the off season, it’s still a bustling metropolis. I’m thinking Christmas here next year??