Sweet Sorrento

Rome is the big, black sheep of the family - the one who is interesting in their own right but you always feel uneasy when in their presence. On the other hand Sorrento is the Grandma who loves to cook for you and spoil you and who wraps you up in their arms to give you a warm  hug.  Don’t get me wrong, I liked Rome, it’s just that I’ve really fallen for Sorrento . It has a much different feel to Rome. It’s just as busy with many Neapolitans still enjoying  their Christmas/New Year holidays but there is a more laid back vibe to the place. For one thing there are no hawkers hassling you every minute or so, for another reatauranters and retail staff don’t try to drag you into their establishments. Tonight we sat and people watched on the Corso ITALIA, the main thoroughfare through the town.  We noticed that people stroll - like walk really, really 

slowly - as if they have nowhere to go and nothing to be on time for. It was fascinating -

and very much a reflection of how the people of this town operate. We tried it for a bit but got far too cold so had to start walking along at a more brisk pace to warm up. Sorrento was home to the Greeks for a good portion of its early history but was eventually conquered by the Romans. After the fall of Rome the ownership of Sorrento went back and forth between Rome and a number of other civilizations because they felt that because of its mild climate and position overlooking the Bay of Naples it was a pretty awesome place to set up, build some palatial villas and grow produce.  Speaking of produce Sorrento is mad about citrus. Pretty much every bit of green space is used to grow lemons and oranges. And they are the loveliest and largest lemons I have ever seen or tasted. 60% of the lemons grown are used to produce Limoncello which is the most disgusting thing I’ve tasted (sorry Sorrento). I’d much rather the lemon conserve or the lemon cake or the lemon chocolate or the lemon sorbet or the lemon cookies or smell the heavenly lemon soap they use the lemons for. Another thing I love Sorrento for is the Christmas decorations. The town is lit up every night and it becomes a magical, twinkling wonderland. They even have Christmas songs playing a good week after Christmas - talk about the town of my dreams.  It’s ticking so many boxes - it’s going to be hard to leave.