The Amalfi Coast is somewhere any discerning traveller should visit at least once in a lifetime. The coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world with spectacular views over the bay of Naples. After just over a 2 hour flight from London to Naples, I was greeted on arrival by a jovial driver displaying my name clearly and who me whisked away to my first destination Sorrento – it was a welcome relief knowing I had a transfer pre-arranged when I saw the chaos at Naples Airport taxi rank!
Sorrento, a popular resort first selected by the Romans, is a cliff-top town boasting unrivalled vistas of the Gulf of Naples and has been home to writers, philosophers and musicians over the years. Highlights of Sorrento include a stroll through the Villa Communale Park, a visit to the archaeological museum, Museo Correale di Terranova and the cloister of San Francesco. After a day of exploring, an aperitivo in Piazza Tasso whilst watching the sunset or a delicious fish supper in the Marina watching the world go by makes a perfect ending to the day.
In terms of accommodation, the Bellevue Syrene is a smart contemporary boutique hotel in the centre of Sorrento with beautiful views over the bay. The food offering here is impressive and there is a private jetty to soak up the sun accessible by lift from the hotel. Alternatively, in a suburb of Sorrento, but with a complimentary shuttle service taking 10 minutes connecting the hotel and the city centre, the Grand Hotel Cocumella is a fine choice for those that want to explore Sorrento but return to an oasis of calm within the expansive tranquil gardens and large terrace overlooking the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. For an extra special treat, a stay at the Excelsior Vittoria is an idyllic way to pamper yourself. The Excelsior Vittoria is also conveniently connected to the ferry port directly by a lift from inside the hotel’s lobby.
After 3 nights in Sorrento, my next port of call was Capri, a breathtakingly beautiful Island made up of small coves and smart boutiques. A trip out to the fabulous Blue Grotto and a visit to Axel Munthe's Villa San Michele are highly recommended. I suggest staying at the Caesar Augustus, perched up in the clifftops of Anacapri – a member of the Relais and Chateaux group, this is a wonderful property and I highly encourage those staying there to upgrade to the sea view cliffside rooms. Pre-booking dinner at the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant is also highly advisable as well as sipping a cocktail on the terrace of the bar while taking in the stunning views.
The last stop on my itinerary was Naples. At this point, you may wish to add on a stay in Ischia. Ischia is a lush verdant Island and quieter that its glitzy neighbour, Capri. For those into botany, Ischia is a gardener’s paradise with La Mortella Gardens being the jewel in the crown. A stay at the Botania fits perfectly into the environment set within 3 hectares of gardens with a large array of flora on show.
After a short hop by ferry from Capri back to the mainland in Naples Port, I was chauffeured to the Grand Hotel Parker’s, located upon a hilltop offering splendid views of the city and Gulf of Naples in the upmarket Chiaia district of Naples. The Grand Hotel Parker’s is a superb hotel with high service levels and a 1* Michelin restaurant, the George. Naples is a hugely underrated city and a cultural metropolis. A visit to the Archaeological museum won’t disappoint and Naples serves as the perfect base to discover Pompeii and Herculaneum – I highly recommend doing these sites with an expert Kirker guide who will bring this experience to life. As this is the home of pizza, a lunch or dinner at a pizzeria will prove that Naples really is the home of the Pizza.
After two nights in Naples, it was sadly time to fly home. As I boarded the plane, I was already planning my next trip to this scenic area of the world.
