Day 95 - Sorrento, Italy

 

Date:  April 13

 

Location:  Day 95 – Sorrento, Italy

 

Next Port:  Livorno (Pisa and Forence), Italy, April 14

 

Quick Summary:  We enjoyed another delightful spring day in Italy, this time in Sorrento. We drove along the Amalfi Coast to Positano, visited a small family farm and had a nice lunch in the old town of Sorrento. On our departure, Capt. Dag circled close to the Isle of Capri.

 

Report:  We opened the curtains to another sunny day in the Mediterranean just as the anchor was being dropped into the harbor of Sorrento. Sharp cliffs rise steeply from the ferry marina to a string of villas and hotels perched high above.

 

Due to the narrow switchback roads, we had to use small electric transfer buses to climb up to the main town to get to our tour bus. We then continued a long climb up from the walled city to reach the outskirts of Sorrento before turning up onto the peninsula. At one high point we could see the Bay of Salerno on one side and the Gulf of Naples on the other.

 

We passed through numerous orange and lemon orchards. In fact, if you could find a square yard of earth you’d find a citrus tree. We also saw many olive trees…with rolled netting strung between them like ropes. When harvesting olives, the nets are spread out on the ground and the ripe olives fall into the nets.

 

From the high point, we headed up the Amalfi Coast drive. This winding road hugs the cliffs and provides breathtaking views. We stopped at an overlook of Positano and its black sand beaches. This once-sleepy fishing village has in recent years become the poster child of the good life on the Italian Riviera. We were impressed with the delicious strawberries that our friend Beverly bought from a vendor and shared with us. We also saw the huge citrons (lemons) that are sold in this area.

 

On the return to Sorrento, we visited a small family farm that has been turned into a tourist destination. (We understand that this type of operation is not unique to this area.)

 

Four generations of this family have worked this small four acre farm. It is amazingly productive and is almost completely self-sufficient. They make cheese, bread, wine, sausages, olive oil and preserves – using only what they have raised on the farm. Thus, they also have a barnyard full of animals, including cows, pigs, goats, chickens, geese and a couple peacocks!

 

We were treated to some of their products – two cheeses, olives, home-baked bread, sausage, wine – and a cheese-making demonstration. It was amazing what these families produce on this small, hilly farm.

 

Throughout the day, we remarked how beautiful it was to be in the Sorrento area during the early spring. The landscape was filled with flowering trees, wisteria, pansies, daisies, etc.

 

Our tour ended in Sorrento. We walked through the old town for a bit with Beverley and Jim before stopping in a small restaurant for a nice Italian lunch. Karen and Larry shared a pizza and salad, and a bottle of wine with our friends. After this late lunch, we walked through town and then back down the hill to the marina. We were back on the ship by 4:00 p.m.

 

We pulled up anchor at 5:00 p.m. and headed to Capri. Captain Dag invited us all to the Pool Deck and Deck 12 for a close-up, slow, sail-by of the Isle of Capri. The waiters were out in force with cocktails and canapés

 

What a beautiful experience! We pulled very close to Capri's islands and rock outcroppings. We were traveling very slowly, and the setting sun dramatically lit up the rocks. Blowing our horn (whistle) several times, everyone knew we were there! We then turned 180 degrees and headed to the Blue Grotto. Our close-by attracted quite a few spectators!

 

We then joined Dodie and Larry in the Observation Lounge, followed by dinner in Compass Rose.

 

Another great day in the Med!

 

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

Photos of our visit to Sorrento have been added.