College Girls Meet Sorrentine Serenity

A scenic train ride took us away to the coastal town of Sorrento. The views looked like something out of a movie- the serene blue of the Mediterranean against the vibrant lemon grove left me in awe. As we arrived, the scent of these mingled with the fragrance of lemon groves, setting the stage for a memorable weekend ahead.

As the sun set and the dresses were on, we found ourselves in the heart of a lemon grove, waiting for what we had heard was the most amazing dinner in Sorrento. From the lemon branches to the wildflowers, we were in heaven (if I do say so myself). Besides the picturesque views of lemon trees upon lemon trees, the culinary journey was just as amazing. We started with grilled calamari, which turned me, an avid seafood hater, into a seafood admirer. With the prosecco came laughter, and with laughter came excitement for the rest of the weekend. As the evening ended, we lingered at the table, not wanting to break the magical spell of lemons. More than just a backdrop to our Instagram posts, it had been a participant in our evening with its beauty. We left the grove with a full stomach and fuller heart, eager for the memory-making to start.

The morning greeted us with a walk to Villa Comunale di Sorrento, a park overlooking the Gulf of Naples with endless views and scenes of the lidos below. A stroll accompanied by one of the best cappuccinos yet, I took in all this view had to offer. After a little, we went our separate ways, and I embarked on an adventure of all that Sorrento had to offer. I had found myself mesmerized by the vibrant marketplaces bustling with local artisans and shop owners. I wandered in and out of every store, taking in all that each one had to offer. Stalls and stores adorned with hand-painted ceramics, and leather goods, my wallet started to not be fond of this adventure. Each item told a unique story of Sorrentine craftsmanship that I was eager to bring home (which I had to keep reminding myself that money comes and goes).

For a shopping break, I found myself enjoying the local but famous Pizzeria, indulging in what could have been the best pizza I have had yet. With a little break, and a food baby later, I was able to conquer the rest of my sightseeing and shopping. One thing I will look back on from this day for years to come, and an experience I will never forget was being fitted for a pair of sandals. The woman was the sweetest soul, telling me her life story, and confiding in me, all while measuring my foot. It was the first time this whole trip I had felt a piece of comfort and home. At that moment it was more than just trying on shoes, it was an authentic moment of Italian culture I had always heard of. As my shopping ended, we gathered back up and found ourselves getting ready to indulge in what locals call aperitivo. As we lounged at a café, sipping some prosecco and an occasional limoncello spritz, we reminisced on the perfection of our day.

Our final day was quick, spent soaking up the last of Sorrento’s delights. A stroll through the shops one last time, with backpacks the size of us, but nothing stopping us from getting the full Sorrento experience. As we were saying goodbye to the best weekend, we knew we were leaving with more than just souvenirs; we were taking a piece of Sorrento's spirit and soul, etched into our memories forever.

As our train ride home lasted hours, I couldn't help but reminisce on the joys of the weekend. Sorrento had given me a quick taste of “la dolce vita”; the sweetest life and I am already planning my return to this slice of Italian paradise with my momma.