It was a brilliant day and we were taking a the ferry from Capri back to Sorrento. It’s a short but breathtaking journey. In any direction, the scene brims with spectacular beauty.
No matter where I was along the bay of Naples, the first thing I always noticed was Mt. Vesuvius, the active volcano rising in the distance. It’s an ever-present witness to the events that take place here throughout the ages.
Then there are three islands across the bay: Capri, Ischia and Procida. They sparkle between the blue sky and even bluer sea, seeming almost ethereal in the afternoon sun. Capri is the largest and busiest, but they are all beautiful, enticing visitors to spend just a little more time there.
We basked in the refreshing breeze as the ferry approached la Marina Piccola of Sorrento. It was originally called la Marina di Capo Cervo after the cliff that rises above it.
There is a small sandy beach overlooked by a luxury hotel, the Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria. It is said that the Emperor Augustus once had a villa in this same location. This hotel has been run by the same family since the late 1800’s and has hosted many in a gracious setting.
Sorrento, known as Surrentum by the Romans, is nestled among the Lattari Mountains and is the perfect place to revel in the splendor of the Amalfi Coast. Sites like Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples, and Positano are a short drive. And the town center is just a short walk away from the port where there are cozy cafés and small shops to explore.