Posted by Gooooooood Evening! If you’ve just arrived, you’ll notice I haven’t posted in over 2 years… I got a new job and its kept me significantly more busy. In that time, I also moved and I have a significant commute so my free time is severely limited… but! I’m back and I HAVE A STORY!
Last year, 2022, my twin texted me and asked what we should do for out 30th. She gave me a bunch of stipulations and we settled on Southern Italy.
It was a chill itinerary, driving from Naples, and in the off season (February 2023), so it was still enough of a vacation and enough tourist locations to be absolutely amazing.
We flew into Naples – me from Washington-Dulles, her and her husband from Seattle. From there, I booked a hotel/spa over on the Naples Bay.
After a day on this side of the coast, we went inland to Pompeii.
The tragic history of the once bustling city is vast and beautiful, albeit morbid, and now, Pompeii is more of a suburb to Naples where people live relatively quietly. From Pomeii, you can see Mount Vesuvius, but we were there when it was raining, so you could only see that it was a mountain in the distance. About 1/3rd of the way up the mountain, is actually Cantina del Vesuvio – a winery that has a unique flavor profile to play off of – all that volcanic soil and the arid rock that this winery sits on has rich red wines that pair wonderfully with the pastas and tomato sauces of the region. Southern Italy isn’t a well known wine region, but it was all very, VERY good.
Making our way further down the coast, we headed to Sorrento. The views and the city itself are by far my favorite things in the area. The bright hues of Sorrento against the always glistening blue of the Mediterranean coastline cannot be beat.
Limoncello is actually from this region, and most small restaurants and shops make their own. Not to be missed is a Limoncello tasting in the alleyways of Sorrento as you walk around these little shops.
Theres plenty of history in this area, and it manifested itself well against the new cars and bustling streets against the medieval rock palaces and ancient buildings along the beach.
We finished our Amalfi tour half way between Positano and Amalfi, up the mountains but still on the coast. The view from our mountain hotel waa to die for, looking right put to the Mediterranean Sea with no obstructions.
This sleepy little town wasn’t much of a tourist destination, but agritourism inSouthern Italy is a real niche market. We made our own pasta and drank homemade wine and Limoncello while talking about all the local agriculture and the vast history of the Amalfi Coast at La Vigna Degli dei, which is also an AirBnB.
As we headed back to Naples for our flight, we visited the Naples Castle. It was a wonderful close to 7 days of 30th Birthday Shenanigans.
Until next time dear readers,
-Jessica (@leaderofnerds)
Geek Havok 