Photo of the Week: Italy

Driving into Positano, Italy

Photo Of the Week: Italy

Positano, Italy

Just a note about my posting schedule.  I have started to catch up with my posting.  However, I am currently taking an online TESOL course which is eating up a good chunk of my time, so I may not be able to post regularly until this summer.

Exclusive Italian Riviera & Pompeii Part 1

Positano

This is Part 1 of 2 about the tour I did from the Port of Naples - Exclusive Italian Riviera & Pompeii offered by Norwegian Cruise line on the Norwegian Epic.

Just a couple facts about this tour - it was a "small" group tour - 18 people max in a mini bus.  It was an expensive tour, over $400 a person.  The tour visits Positano, Sorrento and Pompeii - it was the only tour offered by the cruise line that went to Positano (only mini buses can get there).  The tour consists of a visit to Positano and Sorrento, lunch in Sorrento and a guided tour of Pompeii.  In this post I'll talk about Positano and Sorrento. 

Positano

The ride to Positano is about 45 minutes to an hour along the coast, it's beautiful - I suggest getting a seat on the right side of the bus for the views.  The drop off is at the top of Positano at a gas station/garage and we were given 45 minutes to explore.  This was enough time to walk the winding alley to the beach front of Positano and either do some shopping or have a cup of coffee.  The beach does have boat launches to Capris if you're visiting independently.  I can tell you that it's beautiful here, but that would be an understatement - let the pictures be your guide.  Positano isn't the most exciting place, but it is a beautiful setting and a quaint little town.  The shopping in Positano is pricey though, although there is quite a bit of touristy stuff, it's of a more independent style.

 

Positano

Positano Beach

After Positano we had a 30 to 45 minute drive to Sorrento and then an hour to walk around.  Sorrento was not a sleepy as Positano, there are lots of shops and restaurants.  The town was bustling the day I was there, it was FULL of tourists, probably due to the 7,000ish cruise passengers in Naples that day.  The shopping here is very touristy - pashminas, scarves, purses, and toys.  If you're just looking for touristy types of gifts this is a good spot.

Sorrento

Local to the area is lemon stuff - lemonchello and lemon drops.

Sorrento

I could see Positano and Sorrento both as lovely romantic vacation spots.  Positano is the more exclusive, quieter and more romantic.  Sorrento being more reasonably priced and having more energy to it.  Sorrento is also closer to Pompeii if you're interested in a visit there. 

After our free time we had a lunch stop at a hotel in Sorrento with fabulous views of the water.  The lunch was excellent, fresh tender homemade pasta with a cheesy filling - what I would expect from this tour and hotel.  Aside from the great view the restaurant had a balcony so you could overlook the sea and get some fresh air.  The restaurant was also quiet with just two tour groups.

View From Lunch

So far I had enjoyed the first part of the tour.  During our long rides along the coast we were given information about Naples and the region, but since that is primary about mount Vesuvius I'll leave that for the post about Pompeii in the next few weeks.

View From Lunch

You can find me on Twitter at: @Travelingiraffe