Week 1: Settling into Italy - Our Route in the South

Home base: Apartment in Sant'Agnello, Campania

DAY TRIPS

Jan. 2: Sorrento
After waking up really late, we realized we hadn't eaten anything in almost a day or two. So we decided to walk to Sorrento from Sant'Agnello (about 15 minutes) in the rain, I believe. I don't remember if it was raining the entire time, but it did rain off and on the first 3 days of our stay in Italy, so we revamped our itinerary. Originally we had wanted to go to the Amalfi Coast and Capri earlier, but decided against it. Fortunately after the initial 3 days of rain, Italy was replete of sunshine during the rest of our stay.

In Sorrento, the town, like the rest of Italy was decorated for the winter holidays. We had arrived at a time when most of the restaurants were closed for their siestas. So we decided to try their local TI (tourist information center) a-la Rick Steves, and ask if they could recommend any local restaurants. Fortunately, one of the restaurants they recommended was one that was included in the Rick Steves' book. We ate at two restaurants in Sorrento during our time in Campania and I think the cheaper one was better. I will list both and give you the details later.

My sister and I walked around, and were greeted my this dog - and were soon to discover that feral dogs were to be somewhat of a sad phenom in southern Italy. It kept following us around, it even followed us to the TI, and almost into the TI. After the TI, we decided to try to ditch it, but were accompanied by a pack of more dogs when we were trying to take some scenic photos -- luckily some other Italians were fond of the dogs and took them away.

After snapping some photos, we decided upon eating at Giardinello (Via Accademia 7). It was kind of hard to find, as it's not on a major street like Aurora (Piazza Tasso 10) or Da Gigino (Via degli Archi 15, Closed Tues.). But I think the food is better, even though the decor is not anything spectacular. Plus, the owner is friendly and prices are cheap. I would order the pizza over the pasta. My sister ordered the pizza and I ordered the pasta, and I just wasn't sold on the pasta. We ate at Da Gigino several nights later, and both of us ordered pizza. The place has a nicer interior, higher prices (not exorbitant), but the pizzas do not taste better. I can't speak for the pastas. The service was fine.

Anyway, after dinner, my sister and I just wandered the streets of Sorrento and walked back to our place... and crashed...

(a dopo)
Jan. 3: Pompeii

Jan. 4: Naples

Jan. 5: Amalfi Coast - Positano and Amalfi town

Jan. 6: Capri

Jan. 7: Departure to Perugia

Categories: Italy, travel, culture