In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
No, not yet but who knows, maybe soon!!! [url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/commercial/citalia/]Citalia[/url]
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Sorrento is OK ... it's adored by Brits in general, but IMO its a bit of a dissapointment relative to the real gems like Positano, Amalfi etc. It's one of the bigger places on the coast and has more shops outwith the purely tourist centric stuff. It's also quite flat once you get into the town by a steep ascent from the sea). Let us know what kind of shops you're looking for and it may help someone advise you better. I can second Alan's advice that Capri shouldn't be missed - just bring a sack of cash when you go. There are plenty of shops, but they're of the designer variety only.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Oh I'm yearning also a visit to Capri. Can you also get to it by boat from Naples??? I assumed so when I was there a couple of years ago.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I agree with the others. Capri is worth a visit. You will have plenty of information through [url=http://www.capritourism.com]Capri Tourism[/url] and you can easily go there from Positano. Another less know gem worth a visit is Procida. There is a web page with information: [url=http://www.procida.net]Procida. Welcome to Procida with Procida.net.[/url]
P.S. I forgot to say that I find Sorrento very nice and worth a visit. You also have information at [url]www.sorrentotourism.it[/url]
Careful with the mermaids though, and I mean the real ones not beautiful tourists wearing bikinis. They are believed to inhabit the cliffs.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
My biggest memory of Sorrento was sitting in a bar by the harbour and hearing 4 English [and elderly] couples arguing about who's hotel did the best breakfast - and they weren't talking about a 'Continental' one. The only thing they agreed on was that the bar was the only place that did a half decent cup of tea.
Isn't it great when you go abroad and immerse yourself into the local culture!
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In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I would go to Pompei or Ercolano for the day- never enough time there! Unlike others I was disappointed by capri, but only cos I was told it was the Monte Carlo of Italy & it wasn't a patch on Monte Carlo- so if you're expecting that don't go, but if you're not- enjoy!
Spent 2 weeks in Sorrento- is a great base but as others have commented it's nothing special in the way of shops (though I do vaguely remember a shop that was called either the pink or purple something or other (told you it was vague!) that sold really cheap spirits
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
did you stay on Capri overnight or just do a day trip? Its atmosphere totally changes after dark, once the day trippers have all gone back to the mainland ... and you can of course also avoid the crowds by day if you have a hotel with pool and/or the energy to explore the islands many hiking trails on foot.
Agreed it's not much like monte carlo (though it does have its fair share of luxury boats), but nor could/should it be. It's all about sitting & watching the passagiata in the piazzetta: marvel at the mutton dressed as lamb (and lamb hardly dressed at all) while sipping your €10 prosecco + nibbles. Then stroll along the blissfully car free streets, window shopping while you decide where to eat (like most expensive places, quality varies inversely with proximity to the piazzetta, and price varies directy!); After eating, walk off the meal with a wander up any one of the myriad, fragrant lanes towards the top or down to the promenades at the bottom of the town to take in views & air. Grab a couple more drinks in the many bars and then round the evening off with a stonking big gelato from the late night vendors near the square. Each to his own, but I love it ... che romantico!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=HelenMW;83664]I would go to Pompei or Ercolano for the day- never enough time there! Unlike others I was disappointed by capri, but only cos I was told it was the Monte Carlo of Italy & it wasn't a patch on Monte Carlo- so if you're expecting that don't go, but if you're not- enjoy!
Spent 2 weeks in Sorrento- is a great base but as others have commented it's nothing special in the way of shops (though I do vaguely remember a shop that was called either the pink or purple something or other (told you it was vague!) that sold really cheap spirits[/quote]
I think the shop you mean is the Pink Elephant.
I would agree with the other posters. Sorrento is a great base, but the shops aren't particularly special. There are some nice ones, but from what I can remember, nothing different to anywhere else.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
well im a sucker for designer goods
as last year i splashed 300 euros on armani sunnglasses and 250 on a armani leather jacket :biggrin:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
We are thinking of visiting the area in May 09, but my husband is a bit concerned we will find ourselves in a 50s time warp. Shopping is not our main priority, but exploring, great scenery and nice food and wine are important... also where to stay, any recommendations?
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I know this was asked last year but I just saw it , so here goes. My wife and I are going to stay in Sorrento for 3 days ( in April 09)and we are staying at the Hotel Eden, very close to the Piazza. We stayed there before and we got a room with a balcony with a view of Vesuvio, it is around 90 euro per night.We are using Sorrento as our base and going to the amalfi coast from there.
Ciao, Danno
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Thanks for the response! And your recommendation last year for the Naples and Campania foodie book... we are all set to depart 6 weeks tomorrow, flying to Rome for three days staying at the Hotel Campo de Fiori, then picking up a hire car and heading south and staying on an Agriturismo near Avallino for the rest of that week, then to the Hotel Puppeto at Positano for two weeks, returning to Rome for the last night before flying home. Can't wait!
I believe there are some problems on the road on the Amalfi coast, but hey, we can always catch a boat!
Hope your trip goes well.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
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In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
then Capri is the place for you - we've been there so many times and it never disappoints. We always stay over on the island otherwise you're just part of the huge tourist swell which arrives and departs with the first and last ferries from Naples or Sorrento. The evenings are special and you feel more part of the island life. Shopping is expensive but fascinating to watch others doing it. In the past we have done some really long, and quite remote walks, which show you a completely different side to Capri - if we'd been able to afford to buy there......
I'm not sure that Sorrento is really worth a day trip to. however, catching the ferry over to Capri for the day is well worth it - I can recommend the walk round the island, and the shops are great [which is why I recommend the walk!].
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