Italy - Neapolitan Riviera

Fast Facts

Practicalities Cost of living: A meal in a restaurant costs 17 Euros, a bottle of wine in a restaurant 4 Euros, coffee 1.50 Euros, beer 3 Euros and ice cream 3 Euros. Prices are approximate and may change.

Italian State Tourist Office: 1 Princes Street, London W1R 8AY Tel: 0207 499 0901

Events
You'll come across any number of religious Saints day processions in local villages - check locally what is occurring.

Activities
Eating talking and shopping (and sometimes all three together) are the major local pastimes. You may find some sports and water sports if you look hard enough.

Recommended Reading

Globetrotter Travel Guide: Naples and Sorrento by Michael Leech and Melissa Shales
Come Back to Sorrento by Alan Howard
Rome, Naples & Sorrento by Diana Facaros and Michael Pauls
Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast published by Bonechi Guides

Explore the Neapolitan Riviera

The land of open-top fast car commercials, the roads wind up and down around the cliffs, through little villages and past ancient churches, all against an azure backdrop of sparkling sea. Modern hotels sit side by side with Renaissance Palaces, terrace restaurants cling to the hillsides offering menus as sumptuous as the views and overall the Mediterranean sun beams down fondly.

Getting around
The twisting bending roads along the coast, make any journey by bus or taxi something of an event. Hiring a car to drive yourself is an alternative, as you can take the journey at your pace. It is best to explore the towns by foot rather than try to drive round them (especially Naples). There are ferries and hydrofoils to the nearby islands including Capri.

Eating and Drinking
This is the home of the pizza and few things beat the simple taste of simple Neapolitan Pizza with tomato and fresh basil, cooked in a wood-fired oven, taken 'al fresco' with a glass of local wine. Food is a major part of life in these parts, the more classy restaurants can be expensive, but a great treat. Fabulous ice cream is widely available too (as you'd expect).

Local interest and culture
This region is steeped in culture and dates back to Roman times and beyond. Galleries, churches, natural beauty spots - you really need to take a few days to explore.

Beaches
Mountainous coastlines are seldom the best places for beaches, but look hard enough and you'll find a reasonable selection. Try the islands too. Blue flag beaches are recognised as having high environmental, sanitary and safety standards. 12 beaches in the Neapolitan Riviera received the Blue Flag award in 2003. For more details refer to www.blueflag.org

Fun for the children
This area does make a fantastic holiday for older children, especially if they're interested in history and art. And don't forget a visit to Pompeii.

Highlights

Five must sees: The islands especially Capri, Pompeii, Vesuvius, The Amalfi Coast and Central Naples.

Great Views: All along the Amalfi Coastline at just about every bend in the road.

Memorable Moments: Sunset over a Bellini (sparkling prosecco wine and peach juice).

Destination treasures: The sense of antiquity and preservation of all the old buildings.

Travel tips: A useful anecdote for drivers about traffic lights - in Milan they see them as an instruction, in Rome as a suggestion, and in Naples they think they're Christmas lights!
Bring sensible shoes because you'll walk a lot.

Your Resorts

Sant Agnello

One of the four boroughs of Sorrento, Sant Agnello is decidedly low-key and ideal for those seeking a relaxing base outside of bustling Sorrento. Well positioned for exploring the region, it benefits from good public transport links which operate to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, which is approximately 1.5 kilometres away. Marinella Beach is situated at the foot of the cliffs and can be accessed via a lift or a step pathway.

Eating out: A handful of restaurants are located in Sant Agnello, all serving Italian cuisine.

Evening entertainment: A variety of bars are located in the region, for a wider variety make the short journey to Sorrento.

Shopping: Choose from a selection of local shops in Sant Agnello, or head to Sorrento for a larger variety including souvenir shops and designer boutiques.

Sorrento

Relaxing and refined, Sorrento is a classy place for classy people. It has a glorious setting between deep ravines and cliffs dropping into the sea. Colourful boats bob picturesquely in the harbour and cafes line the quayside.

Eating out: Eating in Sorrento is a real treat with fashionable restaurants, colourful cafes and ice cream parlours. How to choose from so many great Italian restaurants is about the only stressful thing you'll find on holiday here. From something simple like pizza and spaghetti at a street café, to an eight course dinner in a hide away courtyard restaurant.

Evening entertainment: After dark the lights attract a crowd, and wherever you are the party seems to be quite spontaneous. Plenty of choice too, with music and some dancing in bars and cafes.

Shopping: Plenty of shopping opportunities with chic Italian boutiques and designer shops.