While the crowds head to Tuscany, you can take your suitcase and go to Sorrento, an unspoiled Italian town that is as beautiful as it is charming. It’s in Campania on the southwestern coast of Italy. It region gave the world pizza and buffalo mozzarella, two must-try culinary treats. Sorrento serves up delicious cuisine and so much more as a destination that represents authentic Italy at its best. Its location is ideal as a home base from which to explore popular attractions in Pompeii and Ercolano, or to hop a ferry to the island of Capri.

 

Your holiday in Sorrento has to include a sip of the famous local liqueur limoncello. It’s strong, but flavourful, and perfect as a post-dinner drink. You can see it been made in the area, as well as smell the fragrance of lemons in the air. Terraces of lemon trees can be found all over Sorrento, just follow the scent of citrus to find them. Along the way, take in the sights of the town and be prepared to be inspired and captivated.

 

The Duomo (Cathedral), St. Francis Monastery, Villa Pollio (Roman ruins) and the pretty port, Marina Piccola, are worthy of exploring. The new museum of decorative arts housed in an 18th century building offers a look at the traditional handicraft in the area. On late summer nights, locals and tourists wander through the Marina Grande fishing village under the soft light of the moon. Sorrento has become increasingly popular over the last decade, but it has still managed to maintain its magical character. Venture farther to ancient village that seem to have stayed still in time. Calitri features castles, lavish palazzos, and plenty of historic trails that once led invading troops to ancient Rome 2,000 years ago.

 

Watching the sunset from the cliffs of Sorrento with a glass of the local wine, Lacryma Christi (or “Tears of Christ”) made on the lower slopes of Mount Vesuvius, is pure heaven.

 

The town’s historical centre is a walk through time with ancient walls, monuments, churches and Greek-Roman structures.

 

In the Correale Museum, you can mentally decorate your home with the gorgeous southern Italian furniture pieces displayed.