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Recharging on the Island of Vitality

Published on 20 Sep 202120 Sep 2021 by Diana's EscapesLeave a comment

Lošinj is an island of amazing colors, sights and sounds. Never and nowhere on the Croatian coast have I experienced such blues of the sea and greens of the pine trees or heard such loud chirps of the crickets.

I am very biased, mind you. Lošinj island holds a very special place in my heart, since it was there that I spent a wonderful summer with dear friends and my now-husband-and-father-of-my-son-and-also-dad-of-my-dog. We were in our early 20s, drove around the island in a tiny car, listened loudly to great music, not minding the perilous narrow roads of the island, swam in the cristal blue sea and explored the island’s coves and small beaches sheltered by pine trees. We went for night swims in Čikat, had drinks on the beach and looked at the stars… we were very young, very carefree and it was all very romantic.

This time, my visit to Lošinj was somewhat different. The car was bigger, the music was still loud, the sea still cristal blue and the crickets still so loud it took some time to get used to the everpresent sound, but the company was different. We all went together – for the first time – Teo, Oliver, Frida and myself, for a three-day weekend getaway. For both of our kids (yes, I consider my dog my child, and I know that every dog-owner out there understands that) this was the first time travelling to an island, on a ferry (or boat of any kind) and it was also the first time any of us would stay in a mobile home.

The ferry was a hit and the ride from Valbiska on the island of Krk to Merag on the island of Cres was a pleasant half-hour experience. Oliver was quite impressed by the size of the “ship” and the amount of cars that a ferry can fit. We looked at the seagulls flying around the ferry and tried to spot dolphins. Frida seemed somewhat confused with all the new smells and sounds, but she was very well behaved and the ride was very enjoyable.

After getting off the ferry on the island of Cres, a 45-minute drive across the island awaited before we would reach our destination, Camp Rapoća near the town of Nerezine on Lošinj. In ancient times, Cres and Lošinj were actually one big island, until the channel of Osor was excavated during the Roman period in order to shorten the path to the open sea. Today, you cross from one island to the other through a small bridge in the town of Osor. Both islands belong the the so-called Cres-Lošinj archipelago in the Kvarner Gulf, and they are, in a way, similar in their vegetation and atmosphere. You feel instantly that you are in a different, unique place, so different from other places in Kvarner.

We were situated in Camping Rapoća near the town of Nerezine and our stay there in the sleepy pre-tourist, mid-Covid season was all we needed: no crowds, no noise, just beautiful pine trees above us and pebble beaches and the sound of waves a few steps from our mobile home. The mobile home turned out to be a really great accomodation option for our family as it gave us all the privacy, comfort and the combination of indoor/outdoor space that the young ones needed. The home was surprisingly spacious (it was a two-bedroom mobile home with a well-equipped kitchen-dining room and all the amenities one needs) and had a lovely terrace and a shaded parking spot for our car. Oliver and Frida loved the fact that they could chase each other and run in and out of the mobile home and Teo and I were relaxed because we didn’t have to worry about crowds or cars. A grocery store was just a short walk away, in the centre of Nerezine, and we quickly got used to its very strange working hours. Now I think about it, the few hours it was opened in the afternoon was quite in accord with the sleepy, relaxed atmosphere of a town which seemed almost deserted, part from friendly neighbours chatting over the fences of their gardens.

Since it was a chilly weekend and we had no intention of swimming, we spent our weekend driving around Lošinj and enjoying its charming towns and wonderful nature. Lošinj has a well-earned reputation of “the Island of Vitality”. Thanks to its mild climate, supreme air quality and rich biodiversity and the widespread pines and medicinal herbs, health tourism has been an important staple of its history for over 100 years.

The two main towns on the island are Veli Lošinj (translated: “big” Lošinj) and Mali Lošinj (translated: “small” Lošinj). Mali Lošinj is actually larger than Veli Lošinj, so you can only imagine how confusing this was to learn and memorize in our Geography classes in Croatian elementary school. Mali Lošinj is the largest settlement on the island, a lovely Mediterranean town with a nice waterfront ideal for long breezy walks and plenty of cafes and restaurants. The jewel of Mali Lošinj is Museum of Apoxyomenos situated in a restored palace in the town centre: the museum is dedicated to an antique bronze statue Apoxyomenos, dating from 2nd or 1st century B.C., whose name originates from the Greek term for an “athlete that is cleaning his body from oil, sweat and sand after exercise of competition”. The statue was discovered in 1997 by a Belgian tourist at the bottom of the sea where it was located for almost 2 millenia. Lošinj’s Apoxyomenos is very well preserved and, due to its importance and quality, it was exhibited in some of the most important museums in the world, such as the Louvre, British Museum and J.P.Getty Museum, after finally returning home where the entire museum was built to honor this great piece of art. To my great disappointment, the museum was closed due to the pandemics at the time of our visit and the exploration of the award-winning museum and its star still remains on my to-do list.

Veli Lošinj (remember, the smaller of the two towns), situated on the southeastside of Lošinj island, is a picture-perfect place, ideal for taking long walks and discovering narrow streets with beautiful villas and kept gardens. In the past, Veli Lošinj was larger than Mali Lošinj, but the latter one grew more rapidly so the situation changed, although the original names remained.

We visited both towns, as well as the forest park Čikat, the place of the wonderful vacation mentioned earlier in this text. What was then a relatively “normal” bay rich in pine forests and perfectly clean water is now a very exclusive part of the island, full of villas and extremely expensive, luxurious hotels. Still, the beautiful walking paths remains relatively intact, the air still smells magical, some gorgeus children parks have been built and the locals can still find their own piece of paradise during the summer in its many hidden beaches.

Oliver and Frida ran around exploring narrow streets of the towns, flowers and pebbles, while Teo and me enjoyed the peace and the quiet, the beautiful sights, sounds and smells that the island offered. It was such a lovely, much-needed weekend break on a really gorgeous island.

On our last day, while driving to Merag where the ferry harbour is located, we stopped in the town of Cres on the island of Cres and explored its historical landmarks, narrow streets and lovely squares.

One of the highlights of the trip, at least in Oliver’s eyes, were the sheep which could be found all around the island of Cres. Getting close to any type of animal is always such an exciting thing for him and he loved the chance of seeing them so up and close. Frida was also interested in meeting the sheep, but unfortunately we left her in the car (we were frightened she might get a bit too excited and bark or try to chase them). Our rude actions were met with loud barks and howls, letting us know that she was not satisfied with how we decided to finish our otherwise lovely island weekend.

10 unmissable Lisbon experiences

Published on 20 Mar 201827 Apr 2018 by Diana's Escapes4 Comments

Lisbon is a large city with many attractions that allow you to get to know it, very affordably, in all of its quirks and surprises. For every museum, theater, church or other “typical” sight, there is something fascinating to experience simply by walking around Lisbon’s districts, sitting in its squares and getting lost in its streets. Here is a list of 10 experiences you shouldn’t miss when visiting this wondrous Portuguese capital.

1 – Taking a ride through popular neighborhoods of Lisbon on the famous yellow tram no. 28

Prepare to stand in line for a while and your patience will be rewarded with a ride around the city in an authentic, wooden tram which will take you through all central Lisbon neighborhoods (Graça, Alfama, Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto). During the ride, you will see city’s churches, institutions, squares and miradouros, take a gazillion photos, ride up and down steep hills and pass other colorful trams on incredibly narrow streets. This budget-friendly activity really is a great way to get to know Lisbon, especially if you only just arrived and are still trying to get the grasp of the city’s layout.

2 – Seeing the Se cathedral

Lisbon’s cathedral is the oldest church in the city. Its building began in the 12^th century, on a slope surrounded by a tightly intertwined network of residential buildings. This church is completely embedded into its surroundings, making for a powerful sight. There is a busy little square in front of the fortress-looking cathedral, full of souvenir sellers and wandering tourists.

3 – Eating Pastéis de Nata, all the time, everywhere

Pastéis de Nata are made of egg custard creme in a puff pastry. This famous Portuguese dessert, often eaten sprinkled with caster sugar or cinnamon, was first created by Catholic monks at Mosteiro dos Jeronimos in Belém. Seeing as these sweets are sold in every cafe or shop in Lisbon, there is no reason why you shouldn’t eat them every day, in any time of day, everywhere. Just don’t succumb to the pressure of needing to try the „best“, „tastiest“, or „the original“ Pastéis in Lisbon, for every one you have, from wherever, will be delicious in its own way. The tastiest Pastel I had in entire Portugal, for example, was the first one I tried after arriving to the country – in a coffee shop adjoining the gas station on the highway between Lisbon and Porto.

4 – Following the wavy pattern of Rossio square

Rossio square is a large, lively square located in the city center. It also bears the name Praça de D. Pedro IV, whose statue can be found on a column in the middle of the square. Historically, this is where celebrations and revolts, bullfights and executions took place, while today it is a great place to people-watch, absorb the lively atmosphere of the square or simply get hypnotized by its wavy black and white pavement pattern dating from the 19^th century.

5 – Spending a history-infused day in Belém

A definite must-do of any trip to Lisabon is spending a day in Belém, the western district of Lisabon where many of the city’s most important attractions can be found. Belém is located at the mouth of the river Tagus and a day spent there is a day in which you are bound to learn much about the long and rich naval history of Portugal, as many of its historic monuments commemorate early Portuguese explorers and the country’s fascinating past.

When in Belém, don’t miss Padrao dos Descobrimentos, a grand, somewhat sentimental monument to Portuguese explorers and seafarers.

Originally built in 1940 to serve as a centerpiece for the World Fair, its today’s iteration was completed in 1960, right in time to commemorate the 500^th anniversary of death of Henry the Navigator. This national hero is the founder of Portugal’s golden age of discoveries in the 15^th century, when Portuguese seafarers circumnavigated the globe and began establishing colonies from Brazil to China. For his great contribution to the country’s naval power and wealth, Henry is the primary figure on the monument, somberly and determinedly looking towards the Atlantic Ocean.

A short walk from Padrao dos Descobrimentos is another icon of the city, Torre de Belém. This richly decorated tower was built in the 16th century as a part of defensive system to protect access to the Tagus estuary.

The largest and most monumental attraction in Belém is Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, one of the most decorative buildings in Portugal. This is where Vasco da Gama spent his last night before his travel to the Far East and discovery of India, and the monastery also houses Museu da Marinha in one of its wings, a museum which narrates a fascinating, brave and at times unbelievable story of Portuguese explorations and discoveries.

After the educational historic walk around the district, your day in Belém cannot finish without a visit to the famous pastry shop Fábrica de Pasteis de Belém, selling iconic Portuguese sweets.

This pastry shop started baking Pastéis de Nata in 1837, following the original recipe from the monks of Mosteiro dos Jeronimos. You might be perplexed with how fast and deft sellers taking your orders and packing the sweets are, juggling professionally with seemingly thousands of Pastéis on a daily basis. If you find a spot in the shop, have your Pastéis there, surrounded with iconic white and blue tiles; if not, don’t worry, you can take them with you, neatly packed in a carton box, and eat them anywhere in Belém – in adjoining cafes, on the streets or in the parks.

I probably shouldn’t state this publicly, but I had my Pastéis from the Fábrica de Pasteis de Belém in a nearby Starbucks. Talk about the clash between “traditional” and “hip”!

6 – Taking a photo of Elevador de Santa Justa

One of the most famous and photogenic sights in Lisbon is an elevator built with a very utilitarian and clear aim – to transport passengers up the hill from Baixa district to Largo do Carmo. Elevador de Santa Justa was built in the 19^th century after the design of Raul Mesnier de Ponsard, Gustave Eiffel’s student. At the top of the elevator, there is a viewing platform offering panoramic views over the city, especially beautiful at sunset.

7 – Being hip in Mercado da Ribeira

Mercado da Ribeira has been Lisbon’s main food market since 1892. In 2014, it was taken over by Time Out Lisboa magazine which turned it into the hippest market around, catering mostly to tourists, offering traditional produce, different foods and very instagrammable souvenirs. Even though it might lack the gritty soul of old-school markets (if that’s what you’re looking for, traditional stalls selling fresh produce are in the adjoining space), it is a really cool place to find some original souvenirs, have a traditional Portuguese dish with a twist and enjoy the airy, chilled out atmosphere.

8 – Standing in the middle of Praça do Comércio and realizing what a huge city Lisbon is

A fascinating thing about Lisbon is that you can’t immediately understand how big it really is, since its hilly layout tricks with its narrow streets and different neighborhoods. Only in certain locations can you really grasp the vastness of this majestic capital: one of such is the huge Praça do Comércio, Lisbon’s main square.

Praça do Comércio is surrounded with traditional buildings with galleries, opening on one side towards the river Tagus. It was built in the second half of the 18th century, after an earthquake destroyed many parts of Lisbon. Highlights of the square include statue of King José in its center and beautiful Arco da Rua Augusta, connecting the square with the busy pedestrian street in its extension. Upon taking notice of all the highlights, one needs only to stand in the center, breath in deeply, and realize once again what a majestic city Lisbon is and what fascinating, rich heritage Portugal and its capital have.

9 – Trying to haggle at Feira da Ladra

Feira da Ladra is a large flea market held two times a week (on Tuesdays and Saturdays). Located at Campo de Santa Clara in the Alfama neighborhood, very close to the splendid church of Santa Engracia (the National Pantheon), this flea market is as simple and as unpretentious as flea markets go: dozens of stalls (real and improvised) and traders selling everything, from CDs and records to cutlery, knobs, old electronic devices, stamps, books, clothes and anything else you could possibly imagine. At first, the sight of the market might surprise, even shock you, especially when you see items stretched on blankets on the ground, but it won’t take long for you to get into the groove of the place and start exploring everything on offer.

10 – Crossing Ponte 25 de Abril and heading for the beach

If you want to see the beach, there is no better way than crossing Ponte 25 de Abril into the municipality of Almada and visiting Costa da Caparica, a seaside resort popular among the Lisboans. With its long stretches of sandy beaches, shops selling souvenirs and beachwear and surfers riding the waves, Costa da Caparica is where you can come to replace the bustle of the big city with long, relaxing walks in the sand.

Ponte 25 de Abril is very imposing: similar in appearance to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, its total length is 2.3 km. Until 1974, it was named Salazar Bridge, and its today’s name commemorates the Carnation Revolution which overthrew Salazar’s regime in Portugal. Some 150,000 cars cross the bridge every day and seeing them blitz around you in several lanes is quite an experience in itself.

Nine things I loved about you, Portugal

Published on 22 Nov 201711 Aug 2020 by Diana's Escapes2 Comments

Some four years ago, during a youth exchange that took place in my home town, I met Joana, a girl from Porto. In the evenings, when all activities were done and participants of the exchange relaxed and mingled on the terrace of the hostel they were staying in, Joana and I talked about our homes. She talked about Porto and Portugal, while I talked about Rijeka and Croatia. She talked with much love and appreciation, without sugarcoating, about things that defined Portugal – about the then-actual economic crisis and many problems the young people were facing, about the saudade, the language, the Douro, the specific atmosphere and “feel” of her home town Porto and the way of life of the Portuguese people. And as she was leaving for home, we made a deal that, now that she has seen my home, I would have to visit hers, one day.

This year, this deal was finally realized, as Portugal became the destination of our annual family trip. Unfortunatally, I didn’t get the chance to meet with Joana (I was with my family and on a tight schedule, she was working and quite busy), but I thought of her quite often as I was visiting places and experiencing things I remembered her talking about. It turned out that she prepared me well for Portugal – the things I imagined all those years ago as I was listening to her stories were pretty similar to the things I saw and experienced “in situ”, during our ten-day trip through northern and central parts of the country. And although her stories were colored with her love of her home, they were not really exaggerated, and the Portugal we visited was as beautiful and dreamy and real, all at the same time, as she had presented it.

During our ten days in Portugal, we only scraped the surface of the complex and rich county and got a tiny peek into the life of a place, but even that was enough to see, hear, taste and experience many things to love.

I loved the relaxed, simple life of the country, not polluted by mass tourism. After visiting so many European countries that live from tourism and completely subjugate themselves to the requirements of the visitors, this felt like a wonderful refreshment and a reminder that there still are authentic countries that are so much more than just touristic destinations.

I loved the people – simple, honest, modest people, going around their daily activities, minding their own business, living a simple life of work and play in the shadow of their great, at times tragic, history and rich heritage.

I loved the coast – the never-ending white, sandy beaches of the western Portuguese coast and the mighty Atlantic… The feeling I had at Cabo da Roca of being at the edge of the world.

I loved Pasteis de Nata, the sweet pastry that became an essential part of our Portuguese every day, small, incredibly tasty and very fulfilling.

I loved vinho verde, young wine from the northern parts of Portugal, clear, of beautiful color, with a touch of fizz, tasty, fragrant and mild.

I loved the Douro, the quiet meandering river responsible for so much of what makes Portugal special.

I loved Porto, a gritty, untidy, punk city that knows what it is, loves it and savors its quirkiness.

I loved Lisabon, the capital whose twisty narrow streets and hilly atmospheric neighborhoods trick you into believing that this is a small, crowded town, and not a wondrous, monumental capital.

I loved the weather, and the constant breeze smelling of salt and sea, never allowing you to forget that Portugal is the country by the sea, of the sea.

The list could go on, with all the things springing into my head now as images through a filter with washed-out, overexposed hues. Quite a remarkable country, warm and beautiful both inside and out. A wonderful place full of wonderful people. Joana, you were right! 🙂

Introduction to the Mystery of Malta

Published on 6 Jan 201611 Aug 2020 by Diana's Escapes15 Comments

My visit to Malta came about as a result of a series of very fortunate circumstances. It wasn’t one of those trips you spend months planning, researching for, reading blogs and creating itineraries – my boyfriend and I haven’t been on a trip together for some time and the travel bug kept munching us, so once we came upon ridiculously cheap airplane tickets at the time we both could get days off from work, that was pretty much it. We were going to Malta!

In my (at that point, still insufficiently knowledgeable) mind, our trip was about to be focused, almost exclusively, on relaxation. I expected loads and loads of sun – our trip took place before Easter and I was looking forward to arriving home with my first tan of the year; very warm weather – everything I ever read about Malta mentioned how warm the weather was throughout the year, so I packed accordingly (or so I thought) and expected to spend at least a part of our visit basking in the sun on the sandy beaches and swimming in the warm Mediterranean sea; I also expected this to be a laid back kind of holiday – usually, when I travel, I want to see as much of the architecture, art and history of the place. This means I usually don’t enjoy having too much free time on my hands because, if I wanted to relax and take it easy, I could have very well stayed at home. However, I was mentally prepared to change my ways in Malta and spend the eight days there taking a slower pace – enjoying the beaches, taking walks in nature and only occasionally visiting different towns and cultural sights. However, Malta prepared a shock for us so things definitely did not go as we planned.

As I already mentioned, this was the first longer trip I took with my boyfriend in a while, so I don’t have to explain how excited and elated we felt as we sat in the plane, squeezing around the small plane window, trying to catch a good aerial view of this island we knew so little about and that could surprise us in any way. Our airplane seat neighbor was a nice man who realized that we never visited Malta before (it wasn’t a difficult guess, considering our exciting squeals and exclamations), explained to us what we were seeing and told us some stories about the island, its tradition and culture. It was such a lovely introduction to the island and its hospitality.

From the moment we landed at the Luqa Airport, we felt like we were in another world. We were greeted by the strong sun, humidity, palm trees, flower meadows scattered among strange architecture and a very busy, bustling atmosphere of cars, taxis and buses swiftly driving around and picking up tourists from all around the world as well as local people communicating in a peculiar language. From the very first moment of being introduced to Malta, a funny feeling took over, and it remained that way for the duration of our trip. This feeling of not being able to pinpoint precisely the essence of Malta, to find a category where we could safely store it, an expression or a sentence that could clearly describe it follow us throughout our stay. The island kept surprising us, over and over again, refusing to let us relax and sink into the feeling of familiarity, overwhelming us with its dualities and contrasts: simultaneously, it felt familiar and new, European and Arabic, traditional and exotic, cosmopolitan and idiosyncratic, full of contrasts in architecture – in small, compact houses and monumental public buildings and churches, in language varying from perfect English to peculiar mishmash of Maltese, in the atmosphere of places – resorts tailored for tourists and places so hidden and authentic that they honestly leave you speechless.

After we returned home from Malta, everyone kept asking me about the island and our trip. And for a very long time, I didn’t really know what to say, apart from stating that it may be the most interesting place I have ever visited. Some may have concluded from my stories that I didn’t really like it, but I just needed time for all those things, details, differences and uniqueness to sink in. From my return, I thought a lot about what is it that makes this country so different from what I was used to and knew. I’m still not sure about the answer, almost a year after my visit (maybe that is why I postponed writing about it for so long), but it must have something to do with all of its historic, geographic and cultural elements and the way they were woven together and intertwined to create a fascinating and rich mosaic of a country. Due to its location, Malta had rulers that included the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St John, French and British. Today, it is tucked away in the middle of the Mediterranean, small and specific, slightly outcast and totally independent, but still affected – historically, culturally and geographically, by three continents and their heritage. It is a country of mysterious atmosphere, particularly present in its fabulous architectural and historic monuments, such as the Megalithic Temples, some on the oldest free-standing structures in the world, quiet but strong witnesses of another time, shrouded in mystery and myth, or in St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, a triumph of what we might call European art and culture. It has to do with a million other different things and I am looking forward to analyzing it more thoroughly as I write about different aspects of Malta in the posts to follow, if for no other reason, than to try to understand the country myself.

Ultimately, as many great destinations do, Malta shattered my shallow preconceptions and showed me much more than what I was prepared for – that it is a country of rich and dramatic history, beautiful nature, poetic towns, wonderful people and that is very different, very unexpected and hard to compartmentalize. Malta refuses to be defined in simple terms, and just as you thought you got the gist of it, it shows you something else, something more, something completely different. What a stubborn, mysterious, fascinating island!

Torna a Surriento

Published on 3 Oct 201411 Aug 2020 by Diana's Escapes2 Comments

It is not easy to define what is it about Sorrento that reminds you so vividly of the old glitzy European resorts of the first half of the 20^th century. Maybe it’s the Mediterranean architecture of luxurious old hotels, or its small streets and hidden squares, or the fact that Piazza Tasso, the town’s central square, turns into a pedestrian area in the evening – the crazy traffic gets shut down and tourists stroll around, merrily and nonchalantly, enjoying a gelato or a late drink in one of the cafés surrounding the square. Add to the picture palm trees and fragrant flowers, romantic gold illumination of the street lamps and views of the sea… and you feel like you have walked into a set of an old Hollywood movie.

Although the first impression is that of a classic, classy Italian resort, Sorrento on a second glance turns into a strange little town where unexpected sights lurk at every corner.

For example, as you approach Piazza Tasso, what might slightly surprise you is the deep, steep valley filled with shrubbery in the middle of the area that is otherwise filled with palatial, beautifully lit hotels and buildings. What at first seems like a strange example of neglecting in an otherwise lovely and up kept town centre, turns out to be, as the quick look into your guide book will probably show you, a deep crack in the rock created during a huge eruption that happened 35 000 years ago. Today, this area is known as Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills), taking its name from the largest of several abandoned brick mills that were built at the beginning of the 20th century at the bottom of the valley in order to take advantage of the constant stream of water located there.

Peeking down the gigantic crack and seeing the surreal ruins of buildings reminds you of the fact that the Sorrento peninsula – and the entire area surrounding the Gulf of Naples – is a fascinating geological area full of examples of Mother Earth’s power, wonder, quirkiness and fickleness.

Another thing that shows you that Sorrento is not a typical seaside town, but a strange place situated in fascinating natural surroundings is its location – perched at the very edge of a high cliff, on a massive stone formation looking as if it was cut off, in clear, straight cuts, from a block of stone that no longer exists.

If you want to come to Piazza Tasso from Marina Piccola, Sorrento’s little harbor that serves as a sea link with other parts of the peninsula and Italy in general, due to the very impressive elevation difference, you can either choose to take the long, curvaceous, somewhat steep road and marvel the town’s layers of architecture and views of the sea, or climb the steep steps carved directly into the cliff and test your physical fitness to the very limits.

Once you discover Sorrento’s peculiarities and conclude that the town would be a perfect setting for one of Agatha Christie’s crime novels due to the just right amount of grittiness behind the glitz and the poshness of the town, you can relax and start exploring Sorrento’s narrow side streets full of restaurants and tiny shops.

The leitmotif of your walk will surely be color yellow. It is everywhere and in everything: in bottles of limoncello, soaps and souvenirs, biscuits, candy and in or on every other imaginable sellable item. Before you succumb to the urge to have everything that Sorrento’s sellers have to offer, because the color yellow never seemed so bright and inviting before, and the smell of lemon that you can’t escape gets soaked up into your clothes, you will be offered, almost in every shop, different lemony treats – lemon liquors and creams, biscuits, hard and soft candy and chocolate.

If you get overwhelmed with lemon-themed shops, there are other popular souvenirs that will remind you of Sorrento, such as pepperoncini and other fragrant condiments, maiolica pottery and inlay wood objects. They all add to the festival of fragrances, colors and details that you simply cannot avoid to experience with all your senses.

If experienced in too high doses, even delight can be a bit tiring. So once you fulfill your lemony desires and collect all necessary and not-so-necessary reminders of Sorrento, the best thing is to have a drink at one of the many terraces on Piazza Tasso, enjoy the atmosphere of the town and listen to wonderful, romantic canzone Italiane played by street musicians.

Because what else do you need to live the lifestyle of Italian Dolce vita?