Italy

FLORENCE & SORRENTO

Leaving Zurich we travelled by fast speed train (reaching 300 Kph) to Milan then onto Florence.  We enjoyed Florence which was buzzing with tourists and of course the markets where we had to bargain for any purchases.

There was a national train strike on the Friday when we were due to travel from Florence to Sorrento …. Fortunately our 2 trains were still running so we arrived in Sorrento only slightly late.  Sorrento was also packed with tourists.  We have enjoyed exploring Sorrento and in particular seeing all the changes since we were here in 2013.  In particular it was so VERY sad to see that this fishing village has been completely taken over by board walks, bathing boxes, deck chairs and restaurants for the tourists.  The fishermen have gone……part of the old character of Sorrento has been lost forever.

On our second and last day in Sorrento and magic weather of blue sky and sun, we took a local bus around the Amalfi coast to Amalfi and back. This has to be the best value for 3.4 Euros PP each way ($6 AUD) – 1.5 hours each way of amazing scenery but mainly the incredible driving skills of the bus drivers as they navigate their huge busses on the narrow roads and battle the local traffic.  One bus we crept passed with only 50mm or less between the two busses. Luna Park has nothing on this amazing experience.

Amalfi was overflowing with a sea of tourists. I guess a cruise ship in the port did not help and of course a Sunday and brilliant sunny weather.

We caught a bus from Sorrento to Naples airport, another fascinating 1 3/4 hour of wonderful Mediterranean coastal scenery.

I have attached some of the highlight photos from both Florence, Sorrento and the Amalfi areas.

Click on the first thumbnail to open the photo in a lightbox, then click right  > to move to next image or click left < to go to the previous image. .