There are so many different ways that one can travel from towns in and around Amalfi to Sorrento. After a bunch of research on the best way to travel there, we decided to go with Positano Shuttle (https://www.positanoshuttle.com/). The cost was €33 per person which, after looking at alternate transportation methods, was a great price. We rented two vans and the gentleman showed up, dressed to the nines in black suits. They loaded all of our luggage (poor guys), and off we went. The vans were extremely clean, comfortable and air-conditioned. The ride to Sorrento was about 1 hour and 20 minutes. We decided to leave nice and early (7:30 am), so we could have the full day in Sorrento. We followed the Amalfi Coast highway much of the way, so it was a beautiful drive. When we arrived at Hotel Central Wellness (https://www.hotelcentralwellness.it/) we were able to leave our luggage with the concierge and go explore a bit.
SHOPPING AT CORSO ITALIA
The first place we headed was to Corso Italia (https://www.sorrentoreview.com/corso-italia.html), the main street through Sorrento (it was about a 10 minute walk from the hotel). It was a shoppers dream! Literally everything and anything you would hope to get on your trip was available there. We ventured mostly off the main drag to the many narrow stalls of boutique after boutique. You could get everything from high-end clothing, to low-end clothing, to jewelry, postcards, prints, macaroni and spices, magnets, ornaments, Limoncello, and literally any other souvenir you could think of. I found that as I journeyed through the stalls that prices became a bit cheaper and shop keepers were willing to barter a bit, especially if you were paying with cash (so have lots of euros on you!)
Shopping time!
Some of the best things purchased were these great bread baskets, three for €10! Restaurants use them all over Italy and they are great! We also purchased a few pictures for the house, €10 each from two adorable older (definitely in their 80’s) brothers. One was the salesperson, the other was just trying to give stuff away for shopping in their store. He gifted each of us with fans and keychains, so when all was said and done they probably made five euros! The name of the shop is Sorrento Fine Art Gallery. They do not have a website, but if you Google reviews, everyone pretty much says the same. They can be found at: Via S. Cesareo, 98.
HOTEL CENTRAL WELLNESS
Once we did some shopping and grabbed a bite to eat, we headed back to the hotel. We chose Hotel Wellness, based on a recommendation from a friend and also due to the fact that they had a beautiful pool. Traveling in June, it is extremely hot, so we knew that our travel companions (the “kids” … ages 11, 16, 22, 22 & 24) would appreciate the down time, play time and sun time provided at the hotel pool. Also, since we were Airbnb’ing it for most of the vacation, we felt that smack in the middle of our vacation, a hotel room for each family would provide a little time away from one another. It was also a nice reprieve, since we had been on the go for the few days beforehand.
The pool was a nice size and very clean. It had a very shallow end (maybe a foot deep) for families with very small kids, and the rest was large enough for multiple families to frolic… ours chose the ole Marco Polo pool game. There was also an area beyond the pool with a ton of lounge chairs, tables and umbrellas. The drinks from the outdoor bar were very good, however, would not personally recommend the food. Did not think it would be possible to have a lousy meal anywhere in Italy, but here we are being served frozen chicken patties, again! (still frozen), and burgers with zero flavor. The French fries were crisp on the outside, hard and grainy in the inside… my recommendation would be to grab a little sandwich or snack from one of the many little shops or delis next to the hotel and bring to the pool area!
We were able to get into our rooms at around 2 o’clock. We decided on the family suite, as it was two separate rooms. One with a king bed, and the other, two full size beds. I was so impressed with our room when we walked in! The suite was big and bright and very clean! They had champagne, cookies, waters and candies waiting for us. For me, it’s the little touches.
PIAZZA TASSO
After relaxing a bit, then getting ready, we ventured to the bar in the lobby and were served some delicious drinks from the bartender Lorenzo. We did not make any reservations for dinner so when the time came, we decided to walk down to Piazza Tasso (https://www.sorrentoreview.com/piazza-tasso.html).
There were so many restaurants to choose from, but we knew to not go immediately to the restaurants in the high tourist areas or where hosts were outside trying to pull people in. As we hit the Piazza, we decided to take a left and head out of the Square. About 1 minute into our walk, we crossed over a bridge and we were able to see the beautiful sites of an old distillery in a gorge under the bridge. It is called Vallone dei Mulini, (Valley of the Mills) which houses the remains of an old saw and flour mill from the 10th century (https://www.sorrentoreview.com/valley-of-the-mills.html). Definitely recommend seeing this gem!
IBISCO GARDEN RESTAURANT
Once we got to the end of the bridge, we walked about another half mile and stumbled upon a place called Ibisco Garden Restaurant (https://www.ibiscogardenrestaurant.com/). It was an outdoor restaurant set in the middle of a garden of foliage. It had an absolutely beautiful atmosphere and the taste and presentation of the food was even better. They brought out delicious bonus appetizers of tomato bruschetta and crisp arancini balls, along with a basket of various breads. These were not ordered, they were part of the meal! We did order an array of appetizers, however. I highly recommend the cheese and cold cut platter. Everything was fresh, light and melt in your mouth. Everyone (8 of us) thoroughly enjoyed out meals, with one of the highlights being the owner fileting the fish of the day, tableside. We also enjoyed both red and white wines and the red was one of the best so far on the trip. I am not a wine snob by any means, and I am just as happy drinking a glass of Carlo Rossi as I am Josh, but the Aglianico (guidiwines.com) was a full bodied, rich wine and was fantastic. Everyone at the table loved it and we can’t all be wrong! We finished off our meal with some Tiramisu and Lemon Sorbet. I give this restaurant a 10 out of 10!
After our dinner we headed back to the hotel to be rested for our next day in Sorrento! However, on the walk back, there were countless places to drink the night away all along Corso Italia.
My Italian Adventures 