On the Way to Sorrento

So we left you with our last night in Roma. It ended with a delightful night of rolling and packing clothes, separating the clean from the not so clean.

The next day started with a quick taxi ride to the Roma Termini (the main train station) where we stood around looking like a couple of lost Arkies. The train schedule was on a jumbotron sized board where the arrival and departure times changed every few seconds. After a while we finally figured out our train and boarded with no problems. We lucked out and got a Euro train which is much faster - only 1.25 hours to arrive in Naples. Okay, so that's when it got fun. Our next leg of the trip was by commuter train with the locals. It stopped at every village along the route, approximately 31 stops. An hour later we arrived in Sorrento.

After the hustle of Rome we thought Sorrento would be quiet. NOT! Unless of course you think the sound of scooters is soothing. Even so, it is a delightful seaside town. You know we subscribe to the Rick Steves method of travel, light with just one small bag. Rick said our hotel was just a short 15-20 minute walk...ha, ha....yes, if you are a mountain goat. Otherwise it is a grueling uphill walk along side a cliff with traffic racing by. After 40 minutes we arrived hot, sweaty but intact.

The entrance to our hotel is topside next to the road, just an elevator entrance with a hotel sign. The elevator itself was teeny-tiny with an outrageous view of the ocean and the cliff and rocks below - yikes! Reception was one floor down and our room 2 floors further. When Rick's book said cliff hanger, he was not exagerating. Our balcony (yes we have one, woohoo) overlooks the harbor and we can see Naples in the distance, across the bay. Perfect location for frothy coffees and drying laundry.

After chunking our stuff in the room and resting, we hiked back down the hill to explore the town. Lots of stores, both high end and typical tourist junk. Here, everything is about lemons since many varieties grow here and some to the size of grapefruits. The problem with the exploring was the hike back - oh how us old broads forget. If you go down, you must go back up.

After a sweaty hike up, we spiffed up and hiked even further up the cliff to a local joint for dinner. Simple plates of pasta and a little Prosecco. The hike down to the room was even more entertaining after the Prosecco since we shared the road with scooters, trucks, and a tour bus. I had my handy Blue Cross flashlight though and kept it flashing to keep us safe.

Today we started with a delightful breakfast overlooking the bay, then again, hiked into town to the commuter train for a trip to Pompeii. So much to say about Pompeii, too much to say. Just imagine an entire city buried in hot volcanic ash, preserved and excavated 2000 years later. They are still excavating and finding treasures and people. Google Pompeii if you are interested, we bought books.

So now we are headed back up the hill for a little rest, refresh and headed for dinner. Headed to Capri tomorrow. Until later...

Ciao bella!