To describe a place as one of the highlights of the Amalfi Coast is a grand accolade indeed, but Sorrento carries the epithet with ease. Settled serenely along a broad stretch of pine-clad cliff next to the Amalfi Drive, it leaves the honour of keeping lookout across the Bay of Naples largely to a set of famously luxurious hotels from which guests can view Mount Vesuvius, Capri and Naples as they sup on the terraces.

The old city itself is warm and colourful, and modern life blends calmly with the power of the history in evidence everywhere. The ruins of the city walls enclose a wealth of treasures – the glorious Saint Antonio Basilica, the Correale Museum, the cool, shady Medieval Saint Francis Cloisters, palaces dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries and all manner of ancient villas to name a few – and there are mellow, sunlit piazzas to ponder in, bustling markets to nose about in, chic little boutiques to overspend in and a seemingly endless choice of heavenly local eateries. In fact, it's the ideal place to use as a base from which to explore smaller villages, quieter beaches and historic sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, because it's small and comfortable enough to enable easy navigation and a good night's sleep, but big enough to make evenings exciting and varied.

In loving this place you'll be following in the footsteps of Sophia Loren, Luciano Pavarotti, Enrico Caruso and many others who could afford good taste – quite literally, in fact, given the ridiculous range of 'proper Italian' ice creams you can find here and the delicious Limoncello, made locally from the lemons grown in the citrus groves that fill the air with a sweet, zingy perfume.

It's said that the sirens of Ancient Greek legend lived here – but they're definitely not the only reason to feel drawn to the place.

Written by  larapiegeler.

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