ITALY: Neapolitan Riviera
OK, so you probably don't need us to extol the virtues of the Neapolitan Riviera. Chances are you already know it's pretty special. But we're going to anyway. Because no matter how much praise has been heaped upon this spellbinding slither of Italy, it still deserves more. Lots more. So what is it that makes it so special? First off, there's the location. It's impressive to say the least. Jaw-dropping some might say. Set in the sunny south of Italy, around the Bay of Naples, the Neapolitan Riviera gazes out across sparkling blue seas. In the distance, the brooding slopes of Mount Vesuvius make for an impressive backdrop. On top of that, honey-coloured cliffs drop sheer into the sea. Vineyards shimmer with the promise of the crisp wine to come. Lemon trees loaded with blossom give off the sweet scent of a summer. And oleanders and bougainvillea colour the landscape like an impressionist's palette. We could stop there and you'd probably be itching to book. But that's only half the story. Dotted along this coast, like twinkling charms on Mother Nature's bracelet, you'll find pure holiday gold. There's the sophisticated town of Sorrento, with its bevy of designer boutiques and achingly chic pavement cafes. The jet-set hangout of Capri. And the oh-so-pretty Amalfi Coast, where villages cascade down mountainsides in showers of pastel houses. And when it comes to days out, you can take your pick from a list of places that need no introduction. Places like Pompeii. Naples. Even Rome. But still, it doesn't end there. The Neapolitan Riviera comes out all guns blazing on the wining and dining front, too. We're talking wood-fired pizzas, lightly grilled fish and cappuccinos as smooth as silk. You've got the picture. Bewitching. Enchanting. Utterly irresistible. The Neapolitan Riviera is all this. And then some.
Beaches
If you come to this lemon-scented paradise expecting long ribbons of golden sand you're setting yourself up for something of a fall. Yes, the Neapolitan Riviera has beaches. But they're more little pockets of sand tucked between the cliffs than big sprawling beaches more akin to the Spanish Costa's. However, if you do fancy catching some rays Sorrento is home to two tiny sandy strips and a clutch of hotel bathing platforms. Minor and Maiori on the Amalfi Coast offer up more in the way of beaches - particularly Maiori with its half mile stretch of volcanic sand dotted with sunbeds and parasols. And of Positano's beaches, Spiaggia Grande is the biggest. Watch fishermen mending their nets on the shore, seemingly oblivious to the sunworshippers surrounding them. To the west of town is the quieter Spiaggia di Fornillo. Here, soft sands melt into turquoise water whose temperature hovers at Jacuzzi level. Set against an impressive backdrop of cliffs, it's one of the most enchanting spots on the coast. However, for the ultimate in beach-lounging, you'll have to leave the mainland behind you. Just a short ride across the Bay of Naples by hydrofoil, the island of Ischia is ringed with Bounty-like shores. From the beautiful Sant Angelo Cove to the secluded San Montano Bay, this is one part of the Neapolitan where spectacular slivers of gold dust sands are in no short supply. Oh, and it just happens to be where they shot a large portion of the Talented Mister Ripley. Just gorgeous.
Eating out
Fancy a bit of mama's home cooking? Well, you've certainly come to the right place. It's back to basics, no-nonsense fare on the Neapolitan Riviera. In fact, this stretch of shoreline is responsible for some of Italy's most famous, and arguably best, dishes. As the name suggests, the 'napolitana' tomato and basil - pasta sauce was born here. Likewise, the margherita pizza. Sure, it's the plain Jane of the pizza world but like so much in life, it's the simple things that are the best. Restaurants are ten-a-penny on the Neapolitan Riviera so your best bet is to lose yourself in the backstreets. Let your nose lead you down the alleyways of Sorrento, past trattorias packed with people twizzling spaghetti around their forks. Past pizzerias in Positano where rotund chefs in marshmallow hats toss frisbees of dough into the air. Past waterfront restaurants in Capri that tempt you with freshly-plucked swordfish and big juicy prawns. Amalfi Town is great for eating out too, with delightful family-run restaurants dishing up fresh seafood and sumptuous pasta dishes. Likewise, Positano is packed with places to eat, with everything from upmarket restaurants to simple cafes. The best restaurants are on the beachfront but get in early as they can get quite busy. Whatever you go for, just remember to save room for dessert, the ice-cream in these parts is to die for. Oh, and one last tip on the food front - with all that bright red tomato sauce splashing around, just don't wear anything white
- La Fenice, Sorrento Smiley waiters. Attractive decor. And top-notch pizza and pasta. No wonder this is one of Sorrento's most popular restaurants.
- Antica Trattoria, Sorrento Repeat visitors to the Neapolitan Riviera always make a beeline for this place, thanks to its intimate feel, first class service and varied menu.
- Delfino, Sorrento Tucked in Marina Grande with fantastic views out over the Bay of Naples, this is the place to come for a slap-up seafood supper.
- Da Savatore, Ravello Run by Nina and Frederico, this cosy eatery offers up not only lip-smacking fresh fish and pasta but breathtaking sea views to boot.
- Chez Black, Positano This place has a lot going for it. A great beachfront location. Tasty pizzas. And a wine list loaded with local tipples. It's the most famous and most expensive restaurant in town.
Nightlife
If you come here expecting big nights out on the tiles, you might be disappointed. Neon lights, karaoke bars and clubs that boom through the night are a bit of a no-no here. Instead, evenings tend to be a relaxed affair, revolving around the more sedate things in life. A candlelit meal down a cosy little side street. An espresso in a pavement cafe. A classical concert beneath the stars. But having said that, there are some upbeat hangouts. Take Sorrento, for instance. Come nightfall young Italians draw up into Piazza Tasso on their Vespas, ready to hit the clutch of underground discos that fan out around the town. It's a similar story on the Amalfi Coast. One of the liveliest places come nightfall is Positano, with its open-air cafes and wine bars gazing out to sea. For real bright lights and boogie nights though, Naples is the place to be. The out-of-town Pozzuoli district to be precise. Here, you'll find a clutch of open-air clubs and discos that get really busy in the summertime. For cutting edge cool, however, give the chic hangouts along San Pasquale di Chiaia, Lungomare Mergellina and Piazza Sannazzaro a whirl. But it's worth remembering that Naples isn't really a tourist-geared city and so little concession is made to visitors. What you'll get is every inch an Italian night out. Things tend to start late, at about one or two o'clock in the morning, and end with a sticky pastry and a cup of coffee just as the sun starts its daily climb.
- Bar Fauna, Sorrento Slap bang in the centre of town, this is the perfect spot for some people watching over a chilled glass of Peroni or for a post-clubbing shot of espresso at 4 in the morning which is always handy as the Fauno Notte nightclub is just underneath.
- Li'li, Sorrento A new bar-club on the Sorrento scene, it's a cool place to be seen out late on a Saturday night. Check it out.
- Africana Nightclub, Praiano Housed in a cave, this place has a glass dance floor that juts out over the sea.
- La Mela, Naples Always heaving, this is one of the city's most popular nightclubs, attracting an up-for-it crowd. Dress to impress to get past the doorman.
- Lanterna Verde, Capri This suave piano bar is the place not for an 'evening out' but for a 'soiree'. Fabulous cliff-side location. Sophisticated atmosphere. And a cocktail list worth talking about.
Shopping
Along with food, Italy's synonymous with clothes. And not any just any old clothes, we're talking designer togs that'll leave you weak at the knees. Pack the plastic and prepare to let your jaw hit the floor when Capri unleashes its shops on you. Designer labels and chic boutiques rule the streets, with narrow alleyways crammed with labels like Gucci, Versace and Dolce and Gabbana. Back on the mainland, Sorrento's got plenty to tempt you, too. Its main thoroughfare, the Corso Italia, brims with boutiques. There are high heels that stretch from here until next Christmas. Baby-soft pashminas that make cashmere feel like cardboard. And oversized sunglasses, the likes of which would make Jackie O jealous. Elsewhere, Naples is a fashionista's dream-come-true. Make a beeline for the city's main shopping haunt, the Via Toledo. The price tags rise as you head down this pedestrianised street towards the chi-chi stores of Via Chiaia and Piazza dei Martiri. But beneath the glam veneer you'll find the Neapolitan Riviera's rustic side. Naples reveals its grittier face at the Forcella open-air market and the Porta Nolana fish market. Back in Sorrento, the old quarter overflows with little artisan shops selling inlaid wood and bottles of limoncello. Plus there's a big market at the top of town on Tuesdays. As for the Amalfi Coast, the best buy here is the pottery. Granted, it might not be the easiest thing to get home but you'll be glad you made the effort once you get back and unwrap it. Handmade jewellery is easy to come by, too, as is leather expect to see rack after rack of handmade leather shoes and tables stacked with purses, wallets, belts and bags. Being Italy, fine wine and fresh pasta line up to frighten your waistline wherever you go, and lemons are literally everywhere. In soaps, in candles, on tea-towels, magnets you name it, there'll be a lemon in there somewhere.
