Opera lovers visiting Sorrento should take the opportunity to visit the magnificent San Carlo Opera House in the heart of Naples. 2024 offers a wonderful programme of ballet, classical concerts as well as operas including La Bohème and Madama Butterfly. You can view the full programme at the official website. This video will give a flavour of what you could enjoy during your visit.
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San Carlo Opera Website.
Enjoy live music at the Hotel Mediterraneo’s Vista Sky Bar with wonderful views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. This rooftop bar provides a perfect spot to watch a glorious sunset with live music, cocktails and finger food to help ensure a relaxing evening.
May to October. Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun from 7.00 pm to 11.30 pm.
The Mediterraneo is a pleasant 25 minute level walk from the centre of Sorrento through a residential area.
Non guests are welcome but we highly recommend booking in advance. Please note that a table and sofa reservation could be subject to minimum spending.
Ballerì offers a range of ballet flats hand crafted in Naples with the finest materials. Creative designs by the owner, Gaia de Lizza, encapsulate the colours, traditions and styles reminiscent of the Neapolitan Riviera to match the mood and occasion of the day, be it playful, chic or just chilling out.
The quality of materials and workmanship together with innovative designs lift these flat shoes to a higher level. The Ballerì collections offer a choice suitable for all holiday activities and occasions, from beach party to restaurants or classical concerts. Ballerì has extended its range to include accessories as well as shoes for all seasons. This video provides a glimpse of the collections available instore and online. Ballerì has boutiques in Sorrento and Naples and our recent review provides some background information.
Balleri Sorrento
Corso Italia 187
80067 Sorrento
Ballerì Naples
Via Carlo Poerio 97
Naples
Ballerì Online store
The Palazzo Jannuzzi is located in the main square, Piazza Tasso, and was refurbished in 2011. The Jannuzzi family produced an excellent video which records the transformation of the original building to its modern equivalent. It also includes wonderful vintage photographs of the main square.
The yellow, grey and black colour theme is used in a different combination for every room and gives each its own identity. The clean lines and contrasting colours achieve a modern environment softened by the personal touch of the owners in the choice of furniture, fabrics, ornaments and paintings.
The personal touch and attention to detail is again reflected in the practical layout and individual design of the shower rooms and other facilities. This includes the lift with its glass sides and visible engineering making it more like a work of art.
The Breakfast Room is worthy of a separate mention. See Breakfast at Jannuzzi’s.
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Palazzo Jannuzzi Website
If you were to walk the ‘paths of the Gods’ above the Amalfi coast and find yourselves in the 5* Caruso then you could be forgiven for thinking you had stumbled upon their resting place. It does not require much imagination to visualise the Gods sitting on the edge of this pool pondering the fate of us mere mortals below. As you walk through the hotel and its gardens you half expect to meet toga clad guests around each column. It is impossible not be intoxicated by this blend of historical and natural surroundings which has made many mortals reach for pen and paper to attempt description. There is a viewing point just beyond the pool where you stand with the village of Scala to your left climbing up and up to the blue sky and to your right the valley drops down and down into the blue sea. The perfect spot to sip a Caruso Bellini made with the juice of fresh local peaches. Salute!
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Belmond Hotel Caruso Website
Few people know that beneath the busy streets of Naples lies an extraordinary subterranean art collection, open to any curious traveller for the price of a metro ticket.
Toledo station, designed by Catalan architect Oscar Tusquets Blanca and curated by Italian art critic Achille Bonito Oliva, has been described as “the most beautiful subway stop in Europe”. Wrapped around the entrance hall is an ornate mosaic designed by South African artist William Kentridge, depicting the Naples Procession led by San Gennaro. Figures from Italian history and blood-red musical scores are woven with maps of the city’s first underground rail system: all tiled by hand in the style of the Cosmati masters.
Materials and colours in Toledo station move down through black asphalt to ochre and finally azure, representing the earth’s strata. Descending the escalator, you can gaze up through the cavernous Cratere di Luce (Crater of Light) to the sunshine above. Moving walkways between platforms double as immersive installations. Ponder giant portraits from cultures around the world in The Human Race by Oliviero Toscani; walk on water through By The Sea…You And Me, shimmering oceanic panels by Texan artist Robert Wilson.
At the kaleidoscopic Università station, Egyptian architect Karim Rashid has created a thoroughly psychedelic commute. In this steel hall of mirrors, pink and purple walls glisten like pulled sugar. 3D shapes animate as you walk by, exploring the language of our new digital era. Beyond the turnstiles you’ll meet Rashid’s Conversational Profile, polished black pillar-sculptures in the futurist style of Bertelli’s famous Continuous Profile of Mussolini. And at the exit stairways, each step shows a slice of a screenprint homage to Dante and his beloved muse Beatrice.
If you’re visiting the Museo Archeologico Nazionale on your trip, go via the Museo station to see Mimmo Jodice’s mesmerizing, torchlit photos of ancient bronze statues. A perfect opener for the Farnese Hercules that greets you, fresh from killing his lion, in the museum’s atrium.
A highlight of the Quattro Giornate station on Line 1 is Marisa Albanese’s celestial Combattenti (Fighters). Sitting weightless above the escalators, the sculptures are dedicated to the women of the Italian Resistance—their unsung strength during the WWII uprising of Naples in September 1943.
There are currently 14 ‘art stations’ distributed along lines 1 and 6 of the Metro network, featuring more than 180 works by 90 international artists and architects.
Two new stations, dedicated to the city’s archaeological treasures, are currently in planning. Duomo station will be built around the excavations of a 1st-century temple and athletic race track; Municipio will showcase, among other precious artefacts, the preserved skeletons of three Roman ships.
This video, produced by Rai Cultura in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and tourism, provides a real insight into the story behind “the art stations of the Naples metro”.
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List of art stations:
Line 1: Garibaldi, Università, Toledo, Dante, Museo, Materdei, Salvator Rosa, Quattro Giornate, Vanvitelli, Rione Alto
Line 6: Mostra, Augusto, Lala, Mergellina
More information about the art stations, including online guides, can be found on the official website.
Samantha Edwards
Most Played | Copywriting + Creative
www
Corso Italia is an Italian brand that adapts the tradition of Neapolitan tailoring to the needs of modern life. Its latest range of clothing and accessories can be viewed online and ‘tried on’ at its outlet on Sorrento’s high street. Yes, Corso Italia on Corso Italia.
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Corso Italia Online store
Situated just 10 minutes walk from the centre of Sorrento this 5* Superior hotel stands on a cliff with large gardens and spectacular views. Classical decor and furnishings including traditional craftsmanship, marbled staircases, hand painted tiled flooring, fine antiques and paintings. The Ambasciatori is part of the Manniello Group which also includes the 5* Royal, 4*Superior De La Ville and 4*Superior Capodimonte.
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Ambasciatori Website
158 Studio is located in the heart of historic Sorrento and brings together a collection of contemporary jewellery from leading Italian designers including Co.Ro.Jewels, Cristina Fava, Francesca Bianchi, Vitti Ferria Contin, Dario Scapitta and many more. Patterns and textures found in natural and man made materials provide the inspiration for many of the pieces on display.
Some of the creations are miniature sculptures and works of art in their own right. Everyday materials are transformed into decorative pieces with colours, shapes, patterns and textures emphasised to create a unique fashion accessory. The latest technology using 3D printed Nylon brings lightness and flexibility to others.
More traditional materials of gold, silver, pearls and gem stones are also used to produce a range of contemporary fashion jewellery suitable for all occasions and moods. There is a wonderful diversity of innovative designs, each one a statement piece reflecting the personality of the person who wears it. What statement would you like to make?
This video comes from a project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund to strengthen exploration of the Mediterranean Diet with typical dishes from Campania Region. Cetara is a small village on the Amalfi coast, between Maiori and Salerno, and is famous for fishing and production of tuna and anchovies. Gennaro Castiello from Ristorante Acquapazza in Cetara presents two recipes for anchovies.
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Cetara and its anchovies More information
Aquapazza Restaurant Website
MD.net Project Website
A fascinating insight into a project by the Soprintendenza Archeologica and Società Mastroberardino that reintroduced wine growing in an experimental vineyard area within the ruins of Pompeii. It followed the discovery of root casts during excavations and the project aimed to highlight the ancient cultural roots possessed and passed down by this city. The project started in March 1996 and in 2001 the first wine coming from ancient Pompeii vineyards was produced, following the first significant harvesting, vinification and ageing in wooden casks by the Mastroberardino family.
The video is presented by Piero Mastroberardino whose family is recognized as the champion of the native vines of Irpinia and Campania, where it has been operating since the early 18th century. With 250 hectares of agricultural estates located in Irpinia, home of three DOCGs: Taurasi, Greco di Tufo, Fiano di Avellino, they aim to preserve their identity, continuity and development of indigenous viticulture.
More details about the project and the Mastroberardino vineyards can be found on their website.
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Mastroberardino Website
Antonino Esposito prepares a fried pizza baked in the oven and embellished with tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil. You’ll find his restaurant in Marina Piccolo.
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Website
This video takes you on a gentle stroll through the streets and lanes of Sorrento, down to Marina Grande and Marina Piccola. It is a wonderful introduction to the main places of interest. Prowalk Tours have an excellent library of other walks including Amalfi, Naples, Vesuvius, Pompeii and Herculaneum which can be viewed on their YouTube channel, see link below.
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Prowalk Tours YouTube Channel
This beautiful 17th century luxury villa enjoys a panoramic position overlooking Positano. The property, enriched by works of art and a wonderful garden, is a unique gem and has already been chosen in the past by celebrities such as Armani, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel and Madonna for their Italian vacations.The historic centre and the beach can be reached on foot in less than five minutes. Full details on this and other properties can be found on the link below. In the meantime, we’ll let Danilo take you on a personal tour of this amazing rental property.
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Romolini Immobiliare Property details
How often do you get the opportunity to buy a vineyard on the Amalfi coast?
Here’s an organic winery with 6 hectares of vineyards, 2 of olive groves and 2 of lemon groves on a cliff overlooking the sea. It is located outside Maiori on the Amalfi Coast just one hour from Positano and one hour 30 minutes from Sorrento. There are also several stone and masonry buildings on the property offering opportunities for restoration and development of an Agriturismo business. Full details on this and other properties can be found on the link below. In the meantime, we’ll let Danilo take you on a personal tour of this wonderful location.
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Romolini Immobiliare Property details
This video blends the breath-taking setting of Ravello with preparations for an outdoor concert at the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium high above the Amalfi coast. Concerts take place from April to November and the Ravello Festival programme of events can be seen on their website.
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Fondazione Ravello | Ravello Festival
Website
Enjoy the dramatic and breath taking scenery to be experienced on a walk along the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli dei), high in the Lattari mountains overlooking the Amalfi coast. The background music brings an added dimension to a landscape of myths and legends.
This is one of number of videos produced by Giovanni Visetti who is a professional walking guide and cartographer with unrivalled knowledge of this area. Although recently retired his website still provides an incredible source of information including detailed maps for walkers.
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Giovanni Visetti
Main website
Path of the Gods details.
This promotional video by Procida TV includes excellent views of Procida. After the glitz and glamour of Capri and the spas and gardens of Ischia, Procida offers visitors a unique charm and relaxed environment just a ferry ride from the tourist hot spots. There are ferries from Naples, Pozzuoli and Ischia (for island hoppers) or you can book a boat tour from Sorrento with visits to Ischia and Procida. For more information about visiting Procida please read this review by one of our members.
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Procida TV
Website
Established in the 1950’s Sandali Siniscalchi produces customised handmade sandals including ‘Swarovski Elements’. A wonderful fashion souvenir that not only makes you look and feel good but takes you back to Sorrento everytime you slip them on.
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Sandali Siniscalchi
83 Via San Cesareo & 203 Corso Italia
Website and online store
Gian Mario Russo, owner of the 5* Bellevue Syrene, presents the fascinating history behind the hotel which stands on roman remains from the 2nd century BC.
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Bellevue Syrene Website
Relais & Chateux Website
This is the official video from Relais & Châteaux which is a collection of gourmet restaurants, boutique hotels, resorts and villas.
This promotional video for Exclusive Cruises provides a tantalising glimpse of the Amalfi coastline and its islands. The picturesque towns of Positano, Furore, Amalfi, Praiano, Atrani, Marina del Cantone and Capri all nestled between the dramatic cliffs and hidden coves waiting to be explored. We leave the rest to your imagination.
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Exclusive Cruises
Website
This promotional video for Sorrento was produced by Fondazione Sorrento and Athena Produzioni srl. It includes aerial views of Sorrento and other towns along the Peninsula.
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Fondazione Sorrento
Athena Produzioni srl.
Chef Carmen is a trained Master Chef with many years of experience and passion. The school was featured in the American Food Network’s “Recipe for Success”, as one of the most successful cooking vacation in the South of Italy and is considered to be a leader
Chef Carmen offers cooking classes for visitors to Sorrento with a range of traditional Neapolitan meals in a very relaxed and informal atmosphere with humour, patience and boundless energy making the experience even more enjoyable.
Here we see her making a Fettuccine alla bolognese from the kitchen of her Cooking School in Sorrento. Buon appetito!
Chef Carmen Cooking School
Corso Italia, 321
Sorrento
Website
Top chefs in Sorrento are obviously masters of their skills with a respect and passion for the ingredients and regional influences, seasoned perhaps with life experiences and memories. This can be demonstrated, in my opinion, by this video showing the preparation of the pasta dish, Pacchero with tomato sauce, by two top Chefs, Marco Parizzi from Parizzi di Parma and Giuseppe Aversa from Il Buco in Sorrento.
Enjoy Chef Aversa’s presentation which is full of humour, passion and respect for ingredients from the south. There are English subtitles.
This video was produced as part of a centenary celebration for Pasta Di Martino, a pasta making company. It is located in the town of Gragnano, world famous for the production of dried pasta and home for numerous manufacturers. Some provide factory tours and tastings for visitors and Gragnano is only 25 km from Sorrento.
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Marco Parizzi from Parizzi di Parma
Giuseppe Aversa from Il Buco in Sorrento
Pasta Di Martino
