Pompeii Sorrento and Positano

Pompeii is a fascinating mix of beauty, history and culture. As you explore the uncanny ruins of this ancient micropolis, the nearly 20 centuries that separate its streets, buildings and inhabitants from us seem to fall away like the 20 ft. of hardened ash that were removed to bring its story to light. Nothing could have prepared Pompeii’s residents for the force building below their beloved grass covered mountain (portrayed in many a fresco), so when Mt. Vesuvius blew its top on August 24, 79 AD, virtually everyone and everything remained. As a result, a stop motion photograph of each phase of the eruption and a perfectly rendered portrait of how these ancient people lived has been handed down to us. Today Pompeii represents one of the largest archeological areas in the world, Unesco World Heritage site, it is a very popular tourist destination. Not to visit he so-called “buried town” means missing a unique experience in the world.

Just across the Bay from Naples lies the Sorrento Peninsula, perhaps the most stunning stretch of coastline anywhere in the world. For 2000 years, visitors from all over the world have been attracted to Sorrento by breath-taking sunsets and fragrances of orange and lemon gardens. Its main attractions, beside its wonderful location, are the little historic centre: a wonderful place to get lost in its narrow streets and alleyways where you will discover colourful shops, quaint trattorias and the true essence of Sorrento; but also the panoramic Park Villa Comunale and the picturesque fisher port Marina Grande. With its beautiful location on the north coast of the peninsula, the small community of Sorrento makes a good base for exploring the region’s highlights: to the south is the best of the peninsula’s unspoilt countryside, to the east is the Amalfi Coast, to the north lie Pompeii and other archaeological sites, and offshore lies the fabled island of Capri. It is hard to imagine a more perfect setting than this.

Positano is one of Italy’s most romantic vacation spots and one of the top Amalfi Coast towns to visit. Built vertically on the face of a cliff, it started out as a fishing village and became popular with writers and artists in the 1950’s. Today it’s a fashionable resort yet still retains its charm, with its pretty pastel colored houses and flowers, high-end fashion boutiques, luxury hotels, cafes and fantastic views. Just off the shores of Positano, you will see the three islets of Li Galli: legend has it that they were inhabited by Sirens who attempted to seduce with their song all those who sailed nearby. Among those to have been enchanted by the islets’ mysterious beauty, the ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev, who spent the last years of his life here, is, perhaps, the most famous. And Positano, like the legendary Sirens of Li Galli, never fails to seduce.