Sat. Oct 26. Sorrento
We got up and into Sorrento at 9:30. We had a beautiful view over the Bay of Naples and a big balcony to sit out on. We then dropped off the rental car. Was so glad to get rid of the car, very stressful trying to navigate vs the train that was RAnd R while traveling. We then walked back into town and spent the afternoon wandering all the cute streets in Sorrento. We ate lunch street side at a cute cafe and people watched, did some shopping, took a really fun"train tour " around town that told all about the history of Sorento. We met back up with Mike and Jana for cocktails on our balcony, then had another great dinner at the restaurant that was right next to our hotel. After dinner Jon and I took a walk back into town, got a gelato and enjoyed the different vibe of the city at night.
Sat. Oct 26. Sorrento
We got up and into Sorrento at 9:30. We had a beautiful view over the Bay of Naples and a big balcony to sit out on. We then dropped off the rental car. Was so glad to get rid of the car, very stressful trying to navigate vs the train that was RAnd R while traveling. We then walked back into town and spent the afternoon wandering all the cute streets in Sorrento. We ate lunch street side at a cute cafe and people watched, did some shopping, took a really fun"train tour " around town that told all about the history of Sorento. We met back up with Mike and Jana for cocktails on our balcony, then had another great dinner at the restaurant that was right next to our hotel. After dinner Jon and I took a walk back into town, got a gelato and enjoyed the different vibe of the city at night.
Sun. Oct 27 Sorento
A very full day. We had a private driver pick us up at 8:30 am, and we toured the Amalfi coast with him till about 5:00. It was so great to have a driver and just relax and not worry about where to go, park etc....... We made lots of photo stops, stopped in Positano, Ravela and Amalfi. It was beautiful scenery with dramatic sharp cliffs, terraced gardens, and lots of crazy motor bike drivers ! We had a drink when we got back, then Jon and I headed back into town. We had a blast in town, we went to a local pub and had some good old fashion burgers, fries and beer. We then watched the F1 race that was in Mexico. So much fun with all the Italians hooting and hollering. We got a gelato on our way back. Tomorrow we take the ferry to Capri.
A very full day. We had a private driver pick us up at 8:30 am, and we toured the Amalfi coast with him till about 5:00. It was so great to have a driver and just relax and not worry about where to go, park etc....... We made lots of photo stops, stopped in Positano, Ravela and Amalfi. It was beautiful scenery with dramatic sharp cliffs, terraced gardens, and lots of crazy motor bike drivers ! We had a drink when we got back, then Jon and I headed back into town. We had a blast in town, we went to a local pub and had some good old fashion burgers, fries and beer. We then watched the F1 race that was in Mexico. So much fun with all the Italians hooting and hollering. We got a gelato on our way back. Tomorrow we take the ferry to Capri.
Mon. Oct 28 Capri
We caught the 9:30 ferry over to Capri. Was a bit nervous about our hotel because it was only a rated a 2 star. Well, when we arrived we were pleasantly surprised. We have a great room with a huge balcony that overlooks the marina, and back over the Bay of Naples. Wonderful hospitality, couldn't have picked a better stop. We got a bit settled then took the public bus to Anacapri, then another bus to the Blue grotto. The blue grotto was a huge disappointment to all of us and a waste of time and money. We then took the bus back to Anacapri and walked around the historic district and ate lunch. We then had a great time taking a single chair lift for about a 15 minute ride to the highest point on Capri. Stunning views... We then took the public bus back to the marina next to our hotel. The public buses are a bit of a nightmare. It is standing room only, stuffed in so tight you literally can not move, then rode about 20 minutes on curvy hairpin turns. We got back and had cocktails on our balcony, then went out for another great dinner.
We caught the 9:30 ferry over to Capri. Was a bit nervous about our hotel because it was only a rated a 2 star. Well, when we arrived we were pleasantly surprised. We have a great room with a huge balcony that overlooks the marina, and back over the Bay of Naples. Wonderful hospitality, couldn't have picked a better stop. We got a bit settled then took the public bus to Anacapri, then another bus to the Blue grotto. The blue grotto was a huge disappointment to all of us and a waste of time and money. We then took the bus back to Anacapri and walked around the historic district and ate lunch. We then had a great time taking a single chair lift for about a 15 minute ride to the highest point on Capri. Stunning views... We then took the public bus back to the marina next to our hotel. The public buses are a bit of a nightmare. It is standing room only, stuffed in so tight you literally can not move, then rode about 20 minutes on curvy hairpin turns. We got back and had cocktails on our balcony, then went out for another great dinner.
ues. Oct 29. Capri
We set out this AM and met up with our Captain who took us on a three hour boat trip around the island. It was spectacular, a bit cooler than it has been, but still sunny and warm. We got back to the marina and took the funicular up to Capro center. We had a fabulous lunch, then walked around shooting for our 10,000 daily steps. We got back to the hotel late afternoon and read for awhile, and watched the sky change to overcast. They are predicting rain for the next two weeks and we could feel the change in temp. We have had outstanding weather this trip. It has been unseasonably warm. We only had two rainy days. The day we Zurich, and the day we planned a rest day in Lugano. How lucky we have been ! Tonight we cocktails on our balcony, then Jon and I walked to the harbor front and shared a pizza gelato for our last night on Capri. There is something very romantic about sitting at a cafe, waterfront, and just relaxing....
We set out this AM and met up with our Captain who took us on a three hour boat trip around the island. It was spectacular, a bit cooler than it has been, but still sunny and warm. We got back to the marina and took the funicular up to Capro center. We had a fabulous lunch, then walked around shooting for our 10,000 daily steps. We got back to the hotel late afternoon and read for awhile, and watched the sky change to overcast. They are predicting rain for the next two weeks and we could feel the change in temp. We have had outstanding weather this trip. It has been unseasonably warm. We only had two rainy days. The day we Zurich, and the day we planned a rest day in Lugano. How lucky we have been ! Tonight we cocktails on our balcony, then Jon and I walked to the harbor front and shared a pizza gelato for our last night on Capri. There is something very romantic about sitting at a cafe, waterfront, and just relaxing....
Wed. Oct 30 Naples
We caught the 10:30 high speed ferry from Capri to Naples this am which was about a 40 minute ride. We checked into our our hotel, then headed out for an 18,000 step day. It ash finally cooled off a bit so walking was very pleasant. We walked all of the historic district, did some shopping and ate lunch on pizza alley. based on everything I had read, I really did not think that I would like Naples, however, i actually enjoyed it more Rome. Naples is crowded, noisy and dirty with lots of grafitti, but is was very easy to navigate, and everyone was very friendly. We headed back to the hotel late afternoon to put our feet up for awhile, then Jon adn I headed back out for dinner. We were out early so we were teh onluy ones in the restaraunt. We had a blast singing Phil Collins and The eagles with our water, and had great meal to boot. Afterward we went to the bakery next door for our last sugar splurge before returning home. Tonight we get up at 3:00 AM for 6:00 Am flight back home. It has been a very busy trip, but wonderful - now time for a vacation from our vacation !
Wed. Oct 30 Naples
We caught the 10:30 high speed ferry from Capri to Naples this am which was about a 40 minute ride. We checked into our our hotel, then headed out for an 18,000 step day. It ash finally cooled off a bit so walking was very pleasant. We walked all of the historic district, did some shopping and ate lunch on pizza alley. based on everything I had read, I really did not think that I would like Naples, however, i actually enjoyed it more Rome. Naples is crowded, noisy and dirty with lots of grafitti, but is was very easy to navigate, and everyone was very friendly. We headed back to the hotel late afternoon to put our feet up for awhile, then Jon adn I headed back out for dinner. We were out early so we were teh onluy ones in the restaraunt. We had a blast singing Phil Collins and The eagles with our water, and had great meal to boot. Afterward we went to the bakery next door for our last sugar splurge before returning home. Tonight we get up at 3:00 AM for 6:00 Am flight back home. It has been a very busy trip, but wonderful - now time for a vacation from our vacation !