Katherine Slatten is a student at Rhodes College and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. She is currently studying abroad with ISA in Florence, Italy.
After settling into Florence, Italy, and wandering endlessly trying to get to know my new hometown for the next three and a half months, I decided that it was time to travel to the coast of Italy while it was still warm.
Sorrento is a great central place to stay if you want to do day trips to Positano, the Amalfi Coast and Capri. There is a really cute town with a never-ending market, and the people here are some of the nicest people I’ve encountered. We made friends with all of our waiters. I mean, check out this sunset. Why wouldn’t you want to go to Sorrento?
You’ll definitely want to at least spend a day in Positano. This town is famous for their stacked colorful houses up the mountain. I would advise bringing Chacos or some sort of water shoes if you have sensitive feet since the beach is rocky. Even on a dreary day, Positano is breathtaking.
I honestly didn’t know that the coast could get any prettier, but then I visited the Isle of Capri. You can take a ferry from Sorrento to Capri and spend the whole day exploring. If you hop on a bus, you’ll be holding your breath while you’re inches from the edge of the cliff. Oh and don’t forget that all of the roads are two-way streets, so when two busses have to pass each other, they literally go 2mph and pass centimeters next to the other.
While you’re in Capri, if you have time, I would definitely suggest going to the Blue Grotto. You’ll have to wait a little while and pay a fee, but it is totally worth it. You have to get into a tiny boat with three other people and lay all the way down as you enter the tiny opening at the perfect timing of the tide. When you get inside, it’s completely dark except for the blue reflection that lights the cave. The rowboat steerer then sings to you as you take in the natural beauty.
If you’re looking to go to southern coast of Italy, Cinque Terre is easy to get to and very beautiful as well. Cinque Terre means Five Lands and that is exactly what it is. The five islands are Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. You take a train from island to island or they have a hiking option from one of the islands to another. Bring some cash with you so you can buy souvenirs at the boutiques lining the walkway to the coast. Oh, and wear comfortable shoes! One of the islands is especially famous for their pesto. Get some fresh seafood while you’re at it as well! Needless to say, if you have time, the Italian Coast is a must!
The world awaits…discover it.