Welcome back to the blog my beautiful friends! After a much-needed social media cleanse, I am back! I know it’s been a while since I’ve updated the blog. This post will give you a glimpse into what I’ve been up to this summer. I do plan a separate post on why it was necessary for me to completely unplug from any social media platforms, what I’ve realized along the way and the changes I’ll be implementing. There is so much exciting content that I would like to share with you. I have missed blogging and connecting with you. Here’s to turning a new leaf and starting fresh!
My summer kicked off with an epic trip to Europe, a time divided between Italy and Romania. I say epic because we covered a lot ground in the almost three weeks that we were gone. Our adventures took us to Sorrento, Positano, Capri, Pompeii, Rome, Bucharest, Sinaia and Valea Doftanei in Romania. It was a trip full of excitement, discovery, good food and amazing company. I instantly made the decision to temporarily renounce all of my social media activities and just appreciate the present moment unfolding in my life, right before my eyes. After all, ‘Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer’. I couldn’t agree more.
First stop on our itinerary: The Amalfi Coast.
The Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is truly a dream! From lively streets bursting with color to sun-drenched beaches and dramatic cliff-hugging ancient roads, the Amalfi Coast is a nexus of historical, cultural and natural beauty. Needless to say, it’s extremely popular! Celebrities and travel enthusiasts alike arrive here in great numbers every summer. While the region can be explored any time of the year, according to locals we spoke to, the best time to visit is early May thru mid-June. The weather is warm yet breezy, and the region is not as vastly populated with tourists.
When to Book a Trip to the Amalfi Coast
I had previously read countless travel blogs, all stating to book a year in advance. I wish I’d listened. We wanted to go to Amalfi Coast in mid-June and booked our trip during the last week of December. While we had no problems finding hotels in Rome, the Amalfi Coast proved to be a bit more challenging. Most of the accommodations in the region are small, boutique hotels with very few rooms. Think 10-30 rooms on average. So everything books quickly especially during the summertime, which in turn drives prices way up. So, book ahead!
How to Get to The Amalfi Coast
Most travelers fly into Rome or Naples, then take a train to the Amalfi Coast. We flew to Rome because we had planned to go back and stay in Rome for a few days after exploring the Amalfi Coast, then fly out of Rome to Bucharest, Romania. Given that Rome is a bigger airport, connecting flights were easier to find and somewhat cheaper. We rented a car using Expedia and drove from Rome to Sorrento. The drive was a straight shot, the highway and road signs easy to understand and follow. We added a car seat to the rental, although we also brought our own Mifold Grab-and-Go Booster Seat which I highly recommend. We used our booster seat in cabs in Rome and in Romania, as well as in Ubers to and from our local Tampa International Airport.
Do you need a car on the Amalfi Coast?
Definitely not. In fact, I would strongly argue against it. As fascinating as the landscape is, it is quite difficult to drive on the narrow, plunging cliffs. Add to that inevitable traffic and lots of mopeds zooming by and what follows is a highly charged, stressful experience. The kind that you should always avoid, especially while on vacation. I would recommend using local tourist offices and booking day trips along the coast via shuttles, buses and boats with experienced local drivers.
If you do decide to rent a car, stick shift is usually cheaper, but the ride is bumpier. If you also travel with kids, there is a daily fee for car seat rentals, but you can opt to bring your own. Parking at the hotel and along the Amalfi Coast is quite expensive, so that’s also something to be mindful of. Other than driving from the airport in Rome to the hotel in Sorrento and back to the airport, we didn’t use the car at all on the Amalfi Coast. It was a hugely unnecessary cost, something I will make sure to avoid next time.
Where to Stay
This was a tough decision. We had initially wanted to stay in Positano. But there were a few factors we had to consider.
First, the town is built on a rock. That makes it difficult to travel with large suitcases and our 3-year old son in tow. We wanted to rent a car and drive along the coast, but parking in Positano is practically non-existent or a real nightmare. Secondly, given we booked in December, most of the 4-5 star accommodations left were way out of our budget. So instead, we opted for Grand Hotel De La Ville in Sorrento. I could not have been happier with the decision and I will tell you why later in the post. Another great option in Sorrento is Hotel Michelangelo which is very close to the train station. If you do decide to stay in Positano, Casa Cosenza is a charming and very affordable B&B in a great location. But keep in mind that Positano is smaller and way busier than Sorrento.
Sorrento
Sorrento is one of the very first towns along the Amalfi Coast. Thus, easier to get to. It is bigger, not as touristy as Positano and has a train station. But there is certainly plenty of charm to be found. We stayed at Grand Hotel De La Ville, an exquisite boutique hotel boasting with white marble, vibrant sorrentine tile and located a short walk from city center. It had a beautiful outdoor area lined with lemon trees and where we enjoyed the most delicious continental breakfast every day and dinner on those nights when we felt too exhausted to venture out.
Restaurants in Sorrento
We took advantage of the complimentary continental breakfast at the hotel every morning, but ate out for lunch and dinner on most days. I can honestly say everything we tried had been out of this world! Don’t get me started on local fruits and vegetables!! The tomatoes taste incredible! Even my picky 3-year old agrees!
Our top 3 restaurants in Sorrento based on food (taste, freshness, presentation), service, ambiance and vistas:
- Delfino offers panoramic views of the Sorrentine peninsula and Mt. Vesuvio. You can enjoy fresh bruschetta, some of the best grilled octopus I’ve ever tried in my life, taste delicious wine and take in the breathtaking sunset.
- Porta Marina was recommended to us by a British couple we befriended during our day-trip to Positano. Owned by 6 fisherman brothers, it offers local fish caught that day and family recipes of mozzarella, limoncello and tiramisu.
- Taverna Azzura is a low-key restaurant located in the middle of the marina. It offers fresh seafood, handmade mozzarella, some of the best fries I’ve had and a flavorful house wine.
Positano
If you find yourself contemplating a trip to the Amalfi Coast, then Positano is a must-see! I have to admit the beauty and charm of this picturesque town took me by surprise. Of course, I had seen plenty of photos online over the years. And I thought it was nice. But to actually be there and take all the scenery in, the vibrant colors and lively energy, was quite an experience. The town is carved into a rock and webbed by steep, cobblestone streets bustling with tourists and locals alike. Flat, comfortable shoes are a definite must!!
Unlike in Sorrento, most restaurants in Positano charge a cover fee. Prices might also vary on whether you decide to eat at the bar versus at a table. We loved Ristorante Buca di Bacco, located close to the Duomo and right on the beach. It offers a great selection of authentic Italian food, something that worked well for our picky 3-year old. Our friends who came to Positano with us for the day couldn’t stop raving about Ristorante Don Giovanni, amazing food and incredible views of Positano. So that’s now on my list for next time.
Later in the day, we enjoyed delicious appetizers, desserts, wine and coffee at Hotel Palazzo Murat Restaurant. It sits a bit higher on the cliff and offers an elegant outdoor sitting area with panoramic vistas. One of the prettiest boutique hotels I’ve ever visited, not just in Positano but ever, is Le Sirenuse. The views simply cannot be beat!
Capri
One of the most memorable days of our trip was the day we spent in Capri! We used Tours & More, a local tourist agency we stumbled upon in Sorrento during one of our daily strolls thru the town. They offered hotel pick-up from Sorrento to the nearby town Nerano, approx. 20-30 minutes by minibus. Then sailing from Nerano to Capri with a guide, approx. 30 min. We loved the trip!
Once on the island, we took a chairlift all the way up to Monte Solaro, the highest peak of the island in the town called Anacapri. Although I’m afraid of heights, I tremendously enjoyed the lift ride. The unparalleled, crisp sea views coupled with endless vistas of lemon groves, vineyards and flower gardens, make the ride worthwhile and a must-do! Afterwards, we visited the eclectic Villa San Michele (built by a Swedish doctor on the site of one of Emperor Tiberius’s houses) and walked over to the church of Santa Sofia.
In the afternoon, we strolled thru the Piazzetta (Piazza Umberto), Capri’s city center. We enjoyed a light lunch, coffee and dessert at Bar Tiberio. Then, we walked off the food with a visit to the scenic botanical Gardens of Augustus. From the gardens, you can get a 180-degree panoramic view of the island and take in the richness of its flora. We ended our trip to Capri in the early evening hours with a boat ride around the island, admiring its beauty and natural grottos: White, Coral and Green Grottos, passing by the ‘Faraglioni Rocks’, a symbol of Capri Island. The Blue Grotto was closed that day, but that is definitely something I would like to one day visit.
Other Tips&Tricks for Visiting The Amalfi Coast
Travel guides, Yelp and Google maps – We actually used all of these resources! Prior to our trip, we’d purchased two pocket travel guides from Amazon: the Eyewitness Travel and Lonely Planet. The Lonely Planet is the guide we used the most and the one I highly recommend. I found the structure and categories very user-friendly, while their recommendations were very accurate.
Cell Service – We added roaming services to one of our cellphones for a cost of $10/day. It was well worth it! We used our phone to get directions during walking tours, find restaurants and hours of operation for various tourist attractions.
Booking local day trips ahead vs. on the Spot – You can book trips ahead of time using Expedia or similar travel sites. However, I found it useful to talk to locals, ask the concierge at the hotel and go in person to local tourist offices. Which by the way, are EVERYWHERE! What I appreciated the most is the fact that you can ask for discounts and book the trips at a much lower cost. The local agency we used is called Tours & More. We found them in Sorrento, but I have seen their offices everywhere along the Amalfi Coast and Rome.
The Beach – To be honest, the beach on the Amalfi Coast was not a point of attraction for me. While the water was nice and clear, the sand is made up of pebbles and rocks. The beach strip is usually fairly narrow and overly populated. If you’re after a beach vacation in the real sense of the world, then you might want to look elsewhere.
So how have you all been? I have really missed the interactions here on the blog. Anything you’re excited for during these last few months of the year? Do share in the comments below.
Much love,
xx
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Having your post drop into my email box just made my day! So lovely to see you again my gorgeous friend across the pond and thank you for sharing you holiday – having been, I was nodding all the way through and you sure have captured some special moments here.
I am so happy that you have had the best summer and taken that time out. I too have been in and out as you shall know, it is a weird vibe and its so easy to get un-inspired until you have a break.
I did message but you know what, I get it, I knew time out was what you were doing and thats what you needed. BUT I am happy to see you in my inbox LOL. We shall catch up properly for sure. Kelly xxx
wwww.KELLiLASH.com
Dearest Kelly, your comments always make my day! Thank you so much for stopping by. So happy you’ve enjoyed the post. I have actually not been on Instagram in what feels like ages! I briefly logged in at some point during the summer and started answering a few private messages. But then I realized that for me, in order to gain my footing again, i had to completely unplug. I do plan to be back very soon, although I will try to focus more on creating content here on the blog. I am excited to see your posts and catch up with your beautiful website. You are such an inspiring and creative soul! Hope all is well and you’ve been enjoying yourself!
Lots of love and positive vibes, ~ Cat L.
Rightly so! I too have the same mind set so I agree totally.
The fact that you give me huge compliments such as this for me, makes all the hard work worth it. I thank you more than you know as sometimes, this is just what I need to hear.
Glad to have your bright, beautiful, happy self back. Kelly xx
Friends like you are hard to find, especially in this day and social media arena. So I’m very grateful to have crossed paths with you. Big congrats on the By Terry collab. I read your post last night. They really could not have selected a more deserving person! In fact, they’re so lucky to have you in their corner! Lots of hugs and kisses ~ Cat L.
Omg, Cat! I miss you so much, just want to hug you
Hi Marina, so so happy to see your comment. I have truly missed the interactions here on the blog. I haven’t been back on Instagram yet but hopefully soon. Hope all is well with you. I cannot wait to catch up with your beautiful posts! Sending lots of virtual hugs and positive vibes your way ~ Cat L.
Thank you Cat!
It has been good and bad! Just celebrated my birthday this past Saturday))
Beautiful pictures from your trip, so happy you guys had wonderful vacation
Oh yay, Happy Birthday! Hope your day was special, filled with lots of love and laughter. May this new year bring you health, happiness and only the best things life has to offer. ~ Cat L.
I missed you so much, I am the happiest you are back Darling Cat, it seems you had a wonderful time away.
A social media cleanse is what everyone needs at times Can’t wait to hear how you will be continuing going forward that will be sustainable.
You look amazing and I am thrilled you are back
Dear Esnath, thank you so much for such kind and thoughtful words! You have made my day. Hope all is well with you and your beautiful family. Excited to see your posts and catch up! ~ Cat L.
Hello my darling Cat!
When I saw your email I was oh so happy.!!! Just yesterday I reached out to you on your page. As you know you were missed. Thank you for this post. I sat and read it over a glass of white wine. Very detailed and I can tell you enjoyed your time off and with the family. That green blouse you have on …I want it. 😀
Once again. ..glad all is well and your son is growing so nicely.
Hi Felicia, thank you so much for stopping by! I actually read your blog post the other day. Happy belated birthday, beautiful friend. Hope all is well with you and Antonio. I will be back on Instagram soon and can’t wait to catch up. I have missed your vivacious posts! #FeliciaOnFifth forever ~ Cat L.
Oh, and the green shirt is from Yumi Kim. I think Neimans and Nordstrom carry the line but I purchased it with a little discount from Rue La La. ~ Cat L.
Hi Cat! Remember me?! (‘Taznjade’ a la IG) Lol. How have you been dear?? I miss the good old days on IG, sometimes. I totally hear you on the social media cleanse, I pretty much abandoned my beauty IG and don’t really use it anymore. It just got to be too competitive, negative, and well, fake. I’ve been wanting to reboot it with a slightly different focus, but haven’t gotten there yet.
I wanted to let you know how much I love seeing your posts, even if I don’t comment on them! I love getting that email saying there’s a new one. I read every one. I live vicariously through you, I’ve always wanted to travel! We are definitely taking our daughter to Disney next year.
I’m probably going to email you, this post is getting long haha! It’s so nice to see you posting again. 😘
Hi Jolene, so so good to hear from you. Of course I remember you. Hope all is well with you and your daughter. Life sometimes gets in the way but I strongly believe we should follow our passion and see where it takes us. I loved reading your comment and found myself nodding in agreement with everything you said about social media, Instagram in particular. I wish I had thicker skin and could let the negativity bounce quickly off of me. But the reality is that it gets to you. I’ve been trying hard to work on myself and not be phased by circumstances and people. A book i’ve found extremely helpful during these past few months has been Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza. It’s very easy to follow and filled with life-changing information.
I haven’t been back on Instagram yet, but I’m hoping soon. And I hope to see you there again as well.
Have a wonderful rest of the week. Sending you lots of love and positive vibes! ~ Cat L.
Cat! So glad to see you blogging again, looks like such a beautiful trip you went on! I’ve missed seeing your posts on instagram, you have always been such a sweet IG friend! But I do agree a social media cleanse is sometimes necessary. (:
Hi Megan!! So good to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by! Hope all is going well. How is your new job? I have missed the good old days of IG and hope to be back very soon. Best of luck with everything and please stay in touch, ~ Cat
So happy to see you back, Cat!
Your holidays sound incredible and I’m glad you enjoyed your time off! xx
Hi Damgmara, So happy you stopped by. Thank you dear friend. It’s good to be back. Hope all is well with you and your boys! ~ Cat L.
Welcome back Cat!! Although a break from social media is definitely needed, I missed reading your blogs so I was sooo happy to see this post 🙂 and Wow and you’ve blown me out of the water with this returning post. Everything looks amazing!! the pictures definitely were inviting and the tips were so informative . My boyfriend and I are planning on going to Italy (Rome and Milan) sometime in April/May but now I’m tempted to make other stops! The views were so breathtaking and I’m definitely going to keep all your advice in mind. Well you definitely came back like you never left, thank you for allowing us into your life and living vicariously through you and even motivating us to go live life to the fullest! xoxo
Hi Nina, so grateful you stopped by. I tremendously enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you so much for such kind words and warm welcome. So happy you liked the post and found it helpful. Hope all is well on your end. The trip to Italy with your boyfriend sounds wonderful. Hope you have the best time. Please do come back and let me know how it went. Have a great weekend ahead, ~ Cat L.
What a wonderful holiday! Everywhere looks so so beautiful….I’d never want to leave!! Definitely somewhere added to our ever long list of places to visit!
And more than anything, it’s a joy to see you and the family!! So glad you are back!!
Much love
Hannah 💖
Dearest Hannah, thank you so much for stopping by. So so happy you’ve enjoyed the post. It definitely feels good to be back. Hope all is well with you, Emma and Dave. Sending lots of hugs and positive vibes your way, ~ Cat L.
Welcome back! So happy to have you back, nothing like switching off social media – I understand you completely.
Lovely photos of Italy & summer is always high priced anywhere you go in Europe.
Hope you had a blast, it shows you and your family did!
Big hugs Xx
Hi Adri, thank you so much for stopping by. Totally agree. Why is Europe so high priced in the summer???:( Italy truly was a dream. I’ve been blessed to have visited several times and cannot wait to go back. Hope all is well with you and little green diva! Lots of love, ~ Cat L.
Your article is a great read with some helpful advice, Cat. Funnily enough, this is exactly where my wife and I wanted to travel to when we go to Italy (Positano and Capri) and it was nice reading about some other places that weren’t on our radar.
You and your family look like you had a wonderful trip, it sounds like a wonderful trip. I don’t know if I would trust myself driving there so I give it to your husband for taking the wheel.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment. I would say both Positano and Capri are must-see places. As widely popular as they are, it is for a good reason. They are such enchanting spots with amazing scenery, great food and happy people. Definitely don’t waste your money on renting a car and dealing with the related stress. It’s best to book day tours, sit back and enjoy the ride. I hope you get a chance to visit these places soon. All the best, ~ Cat L.