Thursday, August 6, 2009

Adventures in Sorrento & Capri

In my opinion, I have saved the best of our Italy trip for last. When I was in Italy in 2005 we stayed a couple nights in a little hotel in Sorrento on the southwest coast of Italy in an area called Amalfi. From there we visited Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. I thought it was a lovely area that made me think of Southern California. Certainly not a bad comparison but it didn't really impress me. When I planned our trip in 2007 I knew I wanted to visit the area again to show Paul and my cousins both Pompeii and Capri but we only planned to spend two nights there because I didn't think we'd need more than a couple days to see what there was to see.

Sorrento's sea cliffs are impressive and lined with luxury hotels. I arranged for our hotel through our travel agent so I didn't know it was in this area. When we arrived in Sorrento we found our hotel to be the most beautiful place we had ever stayed anywhere.

It was set high on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples. From the two balconies of our room we could see across to the city of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. And we had views of both the sunrise and sunset. It was spectacular. When you see tourists coming to the courtyard of your hotel to take their photos of the locale you know you have found The Spot.

Here are some photos from our hotel, Bellevue Syrene.


Through the gates to the hotel.




The rooms were all decorated differently and in fabulous colors. This was our incredible room.

Here is Paul calling home to extend our stay in Sorrento an additional two days. This was at the end of our trip and it was the most fabulous way to finish our stay in Italy.

One of the sitting areas of our hotel.

From our balcony




Our hotel is the yellow building on the cliff straight ahead.



We were able to take an elevator down to the beach and walk along to the dock to take a boat ride over to the Isle of Capri. Here are some photos of Capri.











73 comments:

Badass Geek said...

Amazing.

When are you going next, and can you pack me in with your luggage?

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Just love these pictures. Soooo
beautiful, I want to go there.
Thank you for sharing these.

Bethany said...

Wow, it is SO gorgeous there. Ahh I need to travel more! Hehe...

A New England Girl said...

Those photos are absolutely breathtaking. It makes me yearn to go to Italy again- sooner rather than later! I know which hotel I'm going to try and stay in, too! :) You are right that you saved the best for last!

Kathy B! said...

I'm torn between lapping up the beautiful photography and tales of foreign places... and sadness that I haven't traveled more. Stunning - as usual!

mommakin said...

Oh, Sandy - I think you may have indeed saved the best for last...

The Last Post said...

Those are really lovely photographs, I like the one of the winding road. I bet that was fun to drive along.

They make me want to go on my holidays now, but I have to wait a while yet.

Sultan said...

Just lovely. Now I want to emigrate!

Shauna said...

How neat that you had sunset and sunrise views. It looks so gorgeous there. The Isle of Capri is so pretty. I don't think I would have come back home!

Mama-Face said...

This touches my heart in ways you can only imagine. My friend Susan, (who passed away last night), and her husband had always planned on going to Italy. They never made it there. I think of that often and how we shouldn't wait to make things happen; and your post brought it home to me again. Probably not what you were going for there, but you never know, right?

Thank you.

Pam said...

I remember you tell us about the awesome hotel in Sorrento, but I don't think I had every seen pictures. Spectacular. No wonder you wanted to stay a few extra days. Can't say that I blame you.

Alex the Girl said...

Those are some amazing shots, Sandy. I would have had a hard time returning to the mundane after seeing such amazing sights.

Ginger said...

We were lucky enough to stay on the Isle of Capri too. Seeing your pics took me down memory lane. It's pretty much a paradise, except for to Caligula who was exiled there. Oh. So was Oscar Wilde. Please! What do I have to do to be exiled to Capri?!! I'm SO not kidding.

Unknown said...

Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing. Just stopped by from SITS

The Stylish House said...

Sandy,
Your hotel looks enchanting. I landed at the Naples airport on the way to Rome once. It was a quick stopover and we did not get off the plane. I remember how beautiful that area was. They call it the Italian Riviera. I was living in Dubai at the time so anything other sand looked pretty great. Thanks for sharing these mementos. I was able to escape to a far away land for a bit thru them.
Cathy

kayerj said...

oh, it's all so lovely

Captain Dumbass said...

That is gorgeous. I only got as far south as Rome when I was there. Of course, I was backpacking at the time and wouldn't have been able to afford that hotel.

Anonymous said...

Looks like an absolutely fabulous place - Great pictures.

Mama-Face said...

I wanna go! I wanna go! I wanna go!

Girl Tornado said...

Wow girl, now this is how to live! Gorgeous hotel - the room is one you'd never want to leave, but then your landscape surrounding the hotel is so beautiful too! What an awesome vacation. Beautiful photos. :)

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Incredible photos. I loved Italy and so want to see much more of it.

Lori said...

Those pics are absolutely stunning! I would have found it very hard to leave!!!

Brittany said...

I am totally lusting after your vacay!
It is gorgeous there!!!!!

Love the turquoise and white room, too. :)

The Redhead Riter said...

That is one beautifully lavish hotel. What a lovely place to be. And you are lovely as well. I like husband/wife lovely together pics. You all make a nice pair. ♥

jackie fo said...

I have been to Capri before when I was in high school and it was amazing! I want to go back :) Great pics

Melissa Papaj Photography said...

Awesome pictures! Looks fabulous!

Unknown said...

sandy--
be still my heart...
i too have stayed at this hotel
several years ago,my mom and i and two friends made plans to go to sorrento. The Syrene had just reopened under new ownership and restoration...we were the first guests. It was fabulous...everything about it was just perfect. I am so glad you found it wonderful as well. Did you happen to wander to the little pastry shop on the square that made the best sfogliatelle on the planet?
i better stop...i could go on and on!
found you through sits

Maria @BOREDmommy said...

WOW. Those pics are AMAZING. I'm dying to go to Italy and now, so much more having seen your pics!

Jessica said...

Beautiful pictures. This makes me want to go to Italy. Now. Too bad my ITALIAN husband doesn't want to go.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

Wow! What a fabulous trips!! Maybe some day...

Happy SITS Feature Day!

Marshmallow Circus said...

I love traveling through other people. That was an amazing room!

Leiah said...

What beautiful pictures of a beautiful trip.

said...

What a wonderful experience you had! Great photos. Congrats on your SITS day!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, what an amazing place! I am an Italian (among other things) and would love to visit someday! Thank you for sharing your photos!

Here from SITS. Happy SITS Day!

mom2kmjx2 said...

So, So pretty. You are very lucky. I love the colors.

Miss Dot said...

You went to Sorrento AND extended your stay?? DOUBLE LUCKY!! Beautiful pictures!!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness! It is too pretty for words. How magnificent!

Karen & Gerard Zemek said...

That is beautiful! Thanks for sharing your pictures with us. The view is just breath taking! Funny you took a picture of the phone call extending your visit--cute!

Visiting from SITS.

Unknown said...

What amazing views and shots. The colors really pop. Stopping by from SITS!

Elizabeth D. said...

I'm officially green now - two trips to Italy??? Wow! That's so awesome! And what a hotel. Wow. I know now that someday when I don't have young children to mess everything up, I want to do a room in just white and Tiffany blue like your hotel room was, that was beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!

Herself said...

Magical. Italy is one of my all time favorite places!

Judy@grammyreads.com said...

Oh my goodness, that is gorgeous. I must show my husband. We do have our passports ready and we are itching to take a trip!

Melissa said...

Amazing pictures! I was in that area of Italy one time for a short trip when I was in the military. I was in the cockpit when we flew in on a Navy plane, and the pilot dipped the one wing down so I could get a photo directly into Mount Vesuvius! What an adventure! Thanks for sharing your vacation with us :)

Panamamama said...

Stopping by from SITS! I have to go there. So gorgeous!

Laura said...

Love that hotel room & beautiful country. Looks like ya'll had a great time.

Stacy Uncorked said...

Breathtakingly beautiful! That's one of the places I want to visit, too. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through your pictures! ;)

Happy SITS Day! :)

Anonymous said...

That looks A-Mazing!!!

Treasia Stepp said...

Simply stunning!! I adore the decor in your room. Gorgeous. Everything is beautiful. I'll stow away in your luggage the next time you go if you will let me?

Dee Andrews said...

Oh, I'm with you... it's just beautiful there! We were fortunate to be there when my daughter turned 10 so we got to celebrate with chocolate cake in Positano.

See my post on her experience at Pompeii, http://travelandtravails.com/architecture/pompeii-through-childs-eyes/

I love seeing things through her eyes and enthusiasm.

So glad you were able to extend your time in Sorrento. The photos are wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Wow. Beyond breathtaking. I really need to get out of the country and start travelling!

AmericanTribal said...

Wow, those are absolutely beautiful pictures!

The Italian Mama said...

That is just amazing. We were supposed to go to Italy for three weeks but I got sick. My only two demands were Vatican City and Pompeii...my whole family if from Naples so that would be a bonus for me :)

Katie said...

Sandy, this makes me want to go back to Italy! Beautiful photos! And that is a very cool hotel - love those bright colors!

I've been to that area once, but my trip was a budget-college-kid version. :) Thanks for sharing your trip!

ConnieFoggles said...

My mother raved about Sorrento when she visited Italy. This is now on my "Must See" places. It is simply gorgeous and romantic too!

SimplySandi said...

Your pictures are breathtaking!

Ali said...

I need those light fixtures!

Kellene Maynard said...

I am SO jealous! I have always wanted to go there! UGH! Maybe one day! I can't wait!! Visiting via SITS!

Shana said...

Everything about that visit, from the views to the hotel, were amazing...so jealous!!!

Lisa said...

It must be fun to take such amazing trips!

Annie said...

WOW!! That looks amazing!! SO jealous!

Happy SITS day :)

Kate said...

Oh my gosh these pictures are amazing! And you're right - your room was incredible!

Heidi said...

Wow, so beautiful.

Skooks said...

Ohmygoodness! I would love to visit Italy someday. This pushed me over the edge. :)

Crystal Escobar said...

WOW!!!! That is just beautiful!!!!!
Seriously, I have to go there!
Loved the room too :)
www.balancedmoms.blogspot.com

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

OMG, what a beautiful place, and a gorgeous room! Congrats on your SITS day, too!

Mrsbear said...

OMG it looks spectacular. Wow. So much beauty to take in. Those views are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

Lani said...

WOW! That looks so amazing... You are a lucky lady to get to go there!
Happy SITS Day!

Jude said...

Love the photos. Italy is beautiful. I haven't yet been to the south, but it's on my list of places to go - Sorrento, Florence, Rome etc.. Venice, Verona and Padua in the north are absolutely gorgeous too! I just love the Mediterranean.

Linzi said...

May I live in that hotel, please?! Oh my!

MeghanM said...

Beautiful! I've been to Sorrento too (though we stayed in Naples-nothing like your hotel!) and visited Pompeii and Capri...loved it there!

Happy SITS day!

Becky @ Babes in Hairland said...

Oh my goodness. Such amazing beauty. Totally breath taking. I'm so jealous - especially of your hotel room and the view! Happy SITS day to you, and Happy B-day as well!

Bethany said...

And I thought that I wanted to visit Italy bad before - this post makes me want zip straight over to Expedia! Happy SITS Day Birthday!

Marie said...

Ahhh absolutely beautiful! I have a very funny, tragic at the time story in Sorrento...I was there with my Mom and Sister and I was running out of panties so decided to hand wash some in our hotel room and with my 4 emergency clothespins I hung them out to dry overnight. Well unbeknownst to me, my sister stole my clothes pins and my panties had blown away in the night due to high winds. While leaving the hotel that day we saw them hanging in the trees over the road....I could've killed her but I was laughing too loud. ;)

 

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