Sunday 2 July 2017

A Summer Sojourn to Sorrento


Until this trip, I've never had the pleasure of visiting Italy. A Roman holiday always sounded delightful and a romantic trip to Florence was worthy of a dream. But finally I had the chance to experience the true Italian dolce vita with a whirlwind trip to the Amalfi Coast with my sister.

Italy most certainly lived up to all of my expectations - endless gelato, spaghetti, fresh wine and eternal sunshine. I'd be lying to say the trip wasn't truly perfect from beginning to end.

For now, let's dive into our first day. 


We stayed at The Grand Hotel Aminta which was marvellously perched high on the mountain, offering the most majestic views of the town and ocean.

While four-star, this hotel will certainly not break the bank if need be. Sure, it boasts all of the exciting treasures only a four-star hotel will have (think outdoor pool with a pool-side bar, contemporary decor, friendly staff and impeccable views), but my sister and I were pleasantly surprised with how non-expensive it was, considering the glamourous location of the Amalfi Coast. We only booked bed and breakfast, opting to have lunch and dinner in the town, but we were still thrilled.

I cannot recommend this hotel enough and strongly advise staying in Sorrento if you wish to see the other sights, such as Positano and Capri, along the coast too. But I'll write all of this up in an Amalfi Guide soon.


We arrived in the golden glow of the afternoon, so it was soon time to head down town for a bite to eat. Feeling free and in a relaxed state of happiness, as you always do on the first evening of a holiday, we wandered the narrow streets in search of spaghetti.

"Life is a combination of magic and pasta" - says me, always

Jess is wearing:
top - Topshop
culottes - Zara
shoes - New Look
bag - Topshop



But after a little deliberation of where to go (there really are so many places to eat in Sorrento, it's crazy), we searched out Inn Bufalito which we read about prior to our trip known for its deliciously fresh and simple pasta dishes.

Perched on the side of the street for people-watching glory, we sipped on rosé and 'paitently' waited for our spaghettis to arrive.


I think it will be tough to try Italian food in the UK now. This spaghetti in tomato sauce was so fresh, simple and light. There was no fancy sauce or added salt which you may find in UK versions. Just classic, traditional and seasonal ingredients all fresh from Sorrento.

We finished things off with a fluffy and light lemon and almond tarte - their speciality dessert.


The dusky evenings are just as dreamy and warm as in the day. And so to match the colourful charm of Sorrento, I wore my favourite yellow and teal aztec-print skirt courtesy of Zara. Sadly, this little corker no belongs on the shelves, but I'll list some alternatives below. The rest of the look was kept notably simple with a chiffon black tee, also Zara, and nude espadrilles from Office.

Speaking of espadrilles, can we just take a moment to appreciate these little goodies! I spotted them online a few weeks back and quickly grabbed them in store. They're incredibly comfortable, easy to walk in as the heel is not too high and handsomely leg-lengthening if I say so myself. Kate Moss ain't got nuttin' on me no more.


We scurried to the sunset, following the hoards of tourists in sight. This really was a happy moment for me, and at first glance of the bold, peach-coloured sun, I gasped and grabbed my sister's hand in shock. Needless to say it was so loud, everyone turned around at me in confusion. But I for one think a sunset as beautiful as this is worth getting exciting over...


We had our first peek at the shore promising to come back tomorrow for some vitamin sea.


If you wander a little left from the viewing platform, you'll find Hotel Syrene, an exquisite hotel right on the cliffside. Built in 1820, the whimsical blend of vintage Italian charm and modern elegance makes it the hotel of dreams, and where we decided to have cocktails on our last evening.

We had a quick roam around, imagining ourselves as glamourous film stars to blend in with the regent clientele this hotel favours, before setting off to explore more of the town.

And by that I mean where we can find bottles of limoncello.


The town was lively and bustling with ambiance. Large, local Italian families laughed over too many glasses of wine and their favourite Neopolitan dishes, while romantic couples poured their hearts out over sweet desserts and limoncello.


It's safe to say we plundered horizontally onto our beds within seconds, dreaming of the beach day which was soon to come.

Sorrento, you're bloody lovely. Or would bellissimo be more fitting?
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