Italy

Chalking out the desired places and then the itinerary was a task that Nishant and myself worked upon for weekends. Thats just how the destination was this time. Enormous in its history, art, architecture and culture. And our goal was to amass most of it.

Yes! That's Italy!

We covered the southwest side of Italy. Drove, ferried, and stepped on the following destinations. Had a footprint amongst most of the Top Tourist Italian places.

Sorrento

We flew from Dallas to Rome via Atlanta. Just adjusting the best possible Central US Time with the European Time. We rented a car and drove from Roma International airport to Sorrento where we had planned to lodge.

Although the flight was long yet it instilled the fact that the best part is yet to come. Hence, drive after the flight wasnt that bad. And once we hit the mediterrean coast line of the Tyrrhenian Sea, it refreshed us all with a magic wand. Reached Sorrento, a town so close to someone’s heart whose bringing up was from a catholic school.

Our hotel overlooked Sorrento's marina, and gave us great views of the sunset in the evening. The stay was disciplined :) as the hotel was owned by catholic nuns and I looked forward to talk to each one of them during our stay. Some of them were Indians from the southern part of India. Interesting isnt it? As much as I admired their service, I came quite close to the history behind the hotel. That my friend, I will share in my next blog. You got to remind me by your comments and feedback.

Marina

The Sunset View

So, when we got that bottle of wine, I almost wanted to imply what the shopper said. However did not carry the wine opener on the go, knew it was in our room but who could wait for that to get a click.

The Window View of the Marina

The star jasmine surrounded us wherever we roamed in Sorrento. Whether it was our lodge yard, or driving streets or that elevator on teh cliff that took usto the pier.

So were Bougainvilleas, on the pergola roof, down the street and on the pastel walls of the resturant buildings.

An evening walk by the coast in Sorrento, savoring the Naples pizza with burrata and classic city wine,  Sorrento, had all that we four needed to begin our vacation with subtle relaxing sounds.  The place revived my memories of studying in a convent with sisters running our hotel where we stayed and conversations that touch your heart. Cannot forget the tunnel walk to the restaurant and the purchase of a local wine from the store. The Italian mom running her shop asked me ‘you need glass or bottle good?’ 🤣 I awed at the question thinking that people in Sorrento did not use a glass to drink wine.

Resturante by the Marina

Holidaying the Italian Coastline was a romance comeback in our life.  A persistent breeze of purple bougainvilleas, limoncellos, Vinos, panoramic water views, pastel buildings, cute mom and pop shops of gelato and 🍋 lemons, Limoncellos and many, many more.

 The short stroll from the coastline to the Piazza Tasso was energetic and full of hustle and buzzle, I would call it the heart of Sorrento.

Piazza Tasso

Sorrento, popular for citrus groves and panoramic water views, is a birthplace for Limencello! Liquor made of lemons! Could we leave that untouched?? No way!  The fact the a lemon tree grows out of a wild orange tree was education given during the farm tour.  Unbelievable sizes of the lemons and the delicacies coming out of it is truly genius.

The Lemon Farm

We did the Lemon farm tour where they gave us knowledge on the birth of lemon trees and how they are drafted into wild orange tees to become one huge gigantic lemon tree. Most of the orange trees that we saw on teh roads were wild orange trees and no one plugs those tangerines ever.

Below was a delicacy offerred to each individual visiting the farm, lemon cookies, lemon marmalade with ricottta cheese and lemoncello ofcourse. Devour the pic!

The Lemon Platter

Lemon Marmalade, Lemoncello, lemonade, lemon cookies, Ricotta and cheese with lemon dried wafers, lemon and Olive oil and more

Positano

Once you are in Italy, you have all floors to absorb its culture and heritage brought to you in visiting the small towns on the coast on Amalfi.  Positano was one of its kind with views enclaved into the hills down to the coast.   Loaded with its culture and heritage, attractions that topped our hearts were the ceramics and lemon arts all around the tourist bazaar and the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.

The Classic View

The Small Market by the Santa Maria Assunta

Santa Maria Assunta.

The Ceramic Accents

The most popular ceramic accents with lemon focus

Gelato and Drinks

Ceramics and more ceramics, you name it and you see the ceramic version of it.

Time to catch the ferry to Amalfi now.

Amalfi

Ferry from Sorrento to Positano and further to Amalfi had gorgeous views of the water along with the coast.  Amalfi so prone to catering the tourists allured us with its  Royal Roman vibes.  Stepping the Piazza Duamo, did make me realize that I could exercise even while being on vacation, do you? I aim to….always!  However viewing the Saint Andrew’s Cathedral settled our tired chaos in minds to peace at hearts.  One of the relating things were the eateries here that were those owned by mom-pops. We happened to dine in a place where Grandma took our order, daughter in law served the order, and son, sons-in law cooked in the kitchen.  Loved when grandma told his son to suggest the right vino for me.  And guess what, the signature lemon gelato 🍋, did leave the sour-est taste on my taste buds that I can never fade.  I would always dare to give another shot to it. 🤣.  When you talk about lemoncello, I am all in, however, lemon gelato sucks! It’s like tasting the coldest womb of lemon… now what that means is for you to guess 😅.

Did you know that because of the magnetic charm of tourists, the Amalfi Coast magnetic was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997

Positano and Amalfi were truly a cultural heritage sites of Italy and we saw it diluted in every form of  creativity around Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi Entrance by the Ferry Station

Piazza Duamo

Inside of Piazza Duamo

Are you going to count the stairs with me in the next pic? Nah!!!!!

Saint Andrew’s Cathedral

The beauty of this cathedral is that its full of relics of the Saint Andrew, Apostle

Mom and Dad's Piazzeria

Amalfi Streets

Gnocchi

Suhana's custom made Gnocchi by most hospitable host at the resturant

Classic Lemon Gelato

Lemon Gelato, I already told you about how it tastes...... As any AI would say......Heavenly!!!!

Orange chocolates relieved me from the lemon gelato flavor that just wouldnt go away!

Ravello

Cars honked and surprisingly each driver demonstrated utter dexterity through the road to Ravello.  Driving all the way from Sorrento to Ravello flashed back Positano and Amalfi on the way for us.  As much as the passengers enjoy the astounding views during this ride, the driver definitely polishes driving skills in the European continent.  Do compete Nishant when you can 😂🤣

Enroute Ravello

Raizadas encountered some gorgeous views on the way to Ravello. If you are the driver, you would always need a place to halt and absorb the view, Nishant could most of the time and for the rest of the time I clicked and covered for his set of eyes.

One of the grafitti that we highly appreciated was the one below and I seriosuly dont know that answer ...lol 🤣. Who cares! The fun part was that it was set at the right overlooking vista and inevitably it appeared in every visitor's eye.

Views that put smiles on our faces throughout.

The Town Square At Ravello

Every market place in Italy, had gealto stores with full on flavors like Pistachio, lemon, cherry cake, starwberry crepes etc etc...

A few more gelato flavors to describe

Resturante arena in the Town Square with the backdrop of the major tower of the Villa Rufolo

Villa Rufolo

Villa Rufolo is the masterwok in Ravello's extensive repertoire of historic and architectonic showpieces. Its a 13th century built palace that bears the name of the family that built it. At the height of its importance and splendour in the 13th century, the palace could boast more rooms than the days in the year!

We took the short flight of steps that takes you to the 30-meter high tower that comprised of three floors. we reahced the terrace that overlooked the sea with it magical park of the palace. Some matchless panoramic views were clicked here that you will see in the pictures below.

We took the short flight of steps that takes you to the 30-meter high tower that comprised of three floors. we reahced the terrace that overlooked the sea with it magical park of the palace. Some matchless panoramic views were clicked here that you will see in the pictures below.

The Cliche of Ravello

Ravello,  an idyllic village along the Amalfi Coast, with approx 2,500 inhabitants, has a niche vibrant cultural life.  Its picturesque clifftop town is none other than a fairy tale for tourists who are primarily drawn to its views, villas, and gardens.

With gelato galore for my son, and pistachio being everyone’s favorite, I enjoyed the artists open workshop, wine tasting and the billionaire’s  Rufalo’s villa.  Man, where, how and when does the sky pour euros???!!! Richness galore.  The main attraction was the 13th-century, Moorish-style Villa Rufolo.  It had far-reaching views from its terraced gardens.  Ravello, is also known as a ‘Terrace Overlooking Infinity…’ and I can vouch for that title as I have no words to pen in.

The place strikes you with its musical aura the moment you enter Ravello’s town square.  Indeed it is the “City of Music”. They say vacation brings the best out of you,  Ravello sure flipped upon the artistic self in me that cared nothing but amore, art, and beauty.  You tend to surrender to its charm. An inspiring town for one’s life.

I definitely used my kajal pencil real well on this trip, Whoa??? Why??? Well you see I needed it to cover up the scratches

Roma

Sometimes, its not always about whats famous and popular, its also important to explore the corners, joints that connects two walls together. Staying in Roma, was an experience for exploring such nooks and niche places that gave subtle belongingness instantly! The picture above was one such corner that we found on our way from bnb to the Colosseum. Good food and hospitality.

Known for stunning architecture, ancient ruins and the Vatican City, we culminated our trip to Italy with ‘Roma’.   Love how it’s called Roma instead of Rome.  Roma adds art to its name that Rome doesn’t.

Besides going back to history, knowing it’s genesis, and how it evolved in Rome, I realized we humans  are way better in this era!  God bless!  😇 🙏🏻

Colosseum

Colosseum, built in 80 AD is approx 1937 yrs old awed us all with its history.  The tour guide’s story telling simply sent shivers down the spine thinking we were standing right where the Gladiators once fought.  Viewing the Arch of Constantine, and its detailed carvings with historic significance is simple out of the world.  The architecture of Colosseum depicted the social stratification of ancient Roman society.  Roma is a must historic destination in Europe continent

Vatican City

Blessed to have covered the VaticanCity, the #Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica  and #Michelangelo’s Pieta. You have to be there to experience the feel of being there.  Movies, bookies don’t do justice, and if you believe in dreams then be it.

The Trevi Fountain

The #Trevi Fountain, The #Pantheon and the # Piazza Navona were few other points we covered. Walking down the Rome visiting these historic places only made me realize that every famous place has a ‘Chandi Chowk’ embedded in the core.  Just dig in to locate it.

Pantheon

Piazza Navona

And here comes the town city place where you have resturanst, shops, cathedrals, artists on teh road with banjos and guitar, caricatures, painting galleries and many many more. Many were just roadies playing Bollywood songs just to please Indian looking tourists! Ha!

With this click, I felt I brought in the entire Italy in my wine glass. Once you travel to this amazing place and sit with a glass of wine on the last destination , you will think the same!

One of the tips that I would like to mention is not new, age old, maybe mundane. And that is 'When in Rome, be a Roman!' Indeed a pragmatical and enjoyable t

I know, we missed Tuscany and Florence that were my top rated cities to visit when in Italy, however there is always the second time! And this was just a week's worth of travel, Italy demands atleast two weeks in total. So you added another tip in yout plan! Isnt it!

Cheers!