Misti's Sorrento Adventure: A Week of Food, Friends, and Lessons

My best friend was turning 40, and she deserved something special. I wanted to give her a week of amazing views, good food and service, and the kind of trip we'd talk about for years. So I planned everything from scratch: a girls' trip to Sorrento, Italy, right on the Amalfi Coast. As a travel advisor, I needed to experience this destination myself to truly understand what my clients would face. What I discovered changed how I'll recommend this region forever.
We stayed in Sorrento for a week, and honestly, it was one of the best trips ever. The fresh, authentic Italian food alone made every moment worthwhile. One of our favourite days was taking a cooking class at a farm in Sorrento. We had an absolute blast learning to prepare traditional dishes with ingredients picked right there. There's something unique about standing in an Italian farmhouse kitchen, flour on your hands, laughing with your best friend. That's the kind of experience you simply cannot replicate anywhere else.
The Reality of Getting Around

Here's what surprised me most: getting around the Amalfi Coast is genuinely challenging. You would think you could just grab a taxi whenever you needed one, but that was not the case. Taxis were hard to find and expensive when we did get them. We assumed we'd walk everywhere, but the roads were slimmer than I expected, winding and uphill most of the time, with cobblestone streets that required careful footing. The bus system exists, but it's not 24/7, so you really have to plan ahead. These are details I never could have understood without being there myself.
Location matters enormously here. Being in the countryside versus right in Sorrento or the other coastal cities makes a huge difference in how easy your trip feels. Some areas are very off the grid and not well set up for getting around. If you're staying somewhere difficult to navigate, it can put a real damper on the experience, or you end up paying for taxis you hadn't budgeted for. Now I know to look carefully at exactly where accommodations are situated before recommending them to clients.
Timing and the Right Traveler

The time of year makes a big difference on the Amalfi Coast. Spring and fall are definitely the best seasons to visit. Yes, it might look rainy in the forecast, but it's usually just one day out of seven, and the weather remains very pleasant. What many people don't consider is that a lot of these places don't have air conditioning. In the cooler months, that's not a problem. In summer, it could be.
This trip taught me exactly who would love the Amalfi Coast and who should probably skip it. Foodies will be in heaven here. If you love coastal scenery, authentic Italian culture, boat tours, and day trips to places like Capri, this is your destination. But I have to be honest: anyone with mobility issues who cannot walk long distances or handle stairs should think twice. Many buildings don't have elevators, and the terrain is challenging even for fit travelers.
Every Region of Italy Is Its Own World

One thing I want every traveler to understand: people think Italy is Italy, but it's so much more complex than that. The Amalfi Coast feels completely different from Rome or any other part of the country. Each region has its own unique food, culture, and scenery. Just because you've visited one part of Italy doesn't mean another region won't feel like a whole new destination.
Now that I've been there myself, I can help my clients in ways I never could before. I know which questions to ask about their mobility, their expectations for transportation, and their tolerance for navigating challenging terrain. I know the value of choosing accommodations in convenient locations. And I absolutely cannot wait to go back. In fact, we're already planning another Italy trip for my husband's 40th birthday, heading to Naples, then Rome, and on to a Mediterranean cruise through Spain and France. We love Italy. And now, I can help you love it too.