Holiday Series|| Sorrento Photo Diary.

I love looking back on holiday photos, it is something we do regularly as a family when we go home. Although this holiday was only at the start of June, I regularly find myself scrolling through all the pics on my phone. Not only will Sorrento hold a special place in my heart because it was our honeymoon but also because it was one of the most beautiful and magical place I have visited.

Hotel - Mar Hotel Alimuri - Meta

So Sorrento is made up of 5 districts and our hotel was located in the first, Meta which means Destination in Italian. The hotel itself was very decorated in traditionally Italian decor, with epic tile floors and had a nautical theme throughout as it was on the coast. I loved everything about this hotel, the location was amazing, the staff couldn't do enough for you and the female guests were given roses on a Thursday night at dinner, the views were incredible and my favourite part was the beach. I think we watched the sun set every night! This part of Italy is famous for its Mozzarella, Olives and of course Lemons, which grow everywhere. The pavements are lined with Lemon Trees and they are grown in huge quantities all over Sorrento. You can also see them growing all through the Amalfi coast and there is no shortage of Limoncello, which is very strong.

Anacapri and Capri

We arranged a few day trips through our travel agent which was super easy and the hotel organised for us to get too and from wherever we needed to be. It was a little like organised chaos but worked. Our first day trip was to Anacapri and Capri which was stunning. We went with a guide who told us all the important information about the island. Our first stop was to a cable chair lift that took you right to the top of Anacapri. I'm not very good with heights but it wasn't too high above the ground so wasn't too bad. Once at the top the views were incredible.

Over in Capri we visited a beautiful garden and took a boat ride around the whole island which was amazing. On the boat we were taken into a few of the famous grottos which have the bluest, clearest water I have ever seen. I would recommend skipping the Blue Grotto as you can wait up to an hour to get in and then you only spend 5 minutes inside. Instead take the boat trip around the whole island as you still see the grotto's and so much more.

Positano, Amalfi and Ravello

This was quite possibly my favourite day trip out of all of them. The Amalfi coastline really has to be seen, to be believed. We did an Amalfi coast drive which although the roads were terrifying with sheer drops on the other side of the wall, which was only waist height, it really was the best way to experience it. It was the most picturesque place I have visited and I loved all of the pastel buildings all packed together on the cliff side.

In Amalfi we took a boat ride along the whole Amalfi coast which was breathe taking and climbed the steps of the church below. We were then taken to lunch higher up in a very quiet village which was lovely, and again the restaurant staff were so friendly and they couldn't do enough for you.

Finally we stopped off in Ravello which although is not very big, it had a lovely square and again the views were outstanding. I would highly recommend everyone to visit these places.

Sorrento

Our hotel offered a free shuttle bus to and from the heart of Sorrento on a daily basis at various times. On one of our lasts days, we decided to take a trip into Sorrento for the morning, before it got too hot. Once in Sorrento, we walked down the main street which is full of expensive shops and this is where I had a pair of sandals made. Although expensive, I will treasure those sandals for ever. As I mentioned above this trip was our honeymoon and the sandals have Sorrento on the inside so I am reminded of our trip every time I wear them. I had them made in a little shop called Cagisa, they have an insta page, and they make the sandals for you whilst you wait. They were super friendly and helpful. *Below the Pirate looking boat is the Royal Clipper. If you've not heard of it (which I hadn't) google it, it's seriously impressive.

Pompeii and Vesuvius

So for our final excursion we visited Pompeii and Vesuvius, again with a guide to show us the important parts. We stopped off at Pompeii first, which is basically an open air museum. We arrived early in the morning and bearing in mind we went at the start of June which is the start of tourist season, it was still very busy so keep that in mind if you're thinking of visiting. We spent a couple of hours, in 28 degree heat walking around Pompeii and we barely touched the surface. You have to see it to believe it but this place is huuuge. I would definitely recommend going with a guide, otherwise you will walk around not really knowing what anything is.

We then took a trip up to Vesuvius. You get driven 1 km from the top and then you have to walk the rest. The journey up is very pretty as there are lots of wild plants growing all around. A lot of the trees are black where they were burnt in last years forest fire and you can see piles of Lava as you wind your way up the road. You really need to be wearing sensible shoes when climbing to the top. I passed people in flip flops and I don't know how they were coping. The path is so steep, dusty and just gravel so you slide about all over the place. You can pay a man at the start of the path a euro to use a stick which to be honest, would have been really useful. Once you reach the top, if you're lucky enough to have a clear day like we did, the view is incredible. You can see the bay of Naples, all the way round to Sorrento and Capri in the background. It honestly was amazing.

The crater itself is deep but not at all like I was expecting. I was expecting some massive black hole that you can't see the bottom of but this volcano has a plug so doesn't look overly deep. There is also equipment at different areas on the top which are used by a monitoring office in Naples so it is completely safe. It was also interesting to know that because this is still classed as a live volcano everybody living in Naples has an escape plan with some going to Venice, Milan and so on. Finally, this volcano only spills lava every 10th eruption.

I seriously cannot recommend this part of the world enough. I get very anxious travelling and being abroad but honestly this is the best trip I have ever been on and would go back in a heart beat.

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