Sorrento Peninsula

The story

HISTORY

The name is inspired by and reflects the cult of the town's patron saint: Sant'Agnello, a Benedictine monk. The saint is much venerated by the town's inhabitants and a feast is dedicated to him on 14 December. Tradition tells that the saint's mother, unable to have children, often prayed with faith to Santa Maria that she might give the world a child. One day she finally had the revelation: she would give birth to a baby boy, Agnello indeed, who would be very dear to God.

The Parish of Ss. Prisco and Agnello, having been built with the contribution of the faithful, still today has the privilege of directly electing its Parish Priest and of having its own administration.

The Municipality of Sant'Agnello is located between Piano di Sorrento and Sorrento. Its territory overlooks the Gulfs of Naples and Salerno. Throughout the municipality's territory the tuff deposits caused by the ancient eruptions of Somma-Vesuvius are conspicuous, giving the coasts, sheer above the sea, their characteristic 'burnt yellow' colour.

The origins of the Municipality of Sant'Agnello are the same as those of the entire Sorrento Peninsula and date back to very ancient times. The first people to reach the Peninsula of whom there is certain proof were the Oscans, a people of southern Italy to whom the Phoenicians later joined. In 89 BC Sorrento became a Roman municipium. The splendid 'Surrentum' thus became a holiday resort for wealthy Romans: it is said that even Caesar Augustus and Nero owned a villa, while Tiberius often came there from nearby Capri.

Hotel Alpha

Viale Dei Pini 15

Sant'Agnello, NA 80065 Tel.: 011 (39) 08 187 820 33 Fax: 11 (39) 08 187 856 12

Non-smoking double room with balcony (booked via Expedia) + Half board € 132.30 per night Taxes and management charges € 17.18 per night

The hotel consists of a modern structure (entrance) and a restored 19th-century old building (at the rear). We were given a room in the restored building which, frankly, doesn't deserve its four stars (small room and rather antiquated bathroom). On the other hand the hotel has a very pleasant pool set in the greenery of a typical Sorrento citrus grove enriched with exotic plants and Mediterranean flowers. It is 1,500 metres from the centre of Sorrento and 300 metres from the 'La Marinella' beach. The buffet breakfast is plentiful and of a good standard. Half board: we recommend it as the dishes are varied and of excellent quality; good wine list (à la carte)

S'AGNELLO

Ristorante/Pizzeria da Peppino

(300 metres from the hotel) Gnocchetti alla Sorrentina (tomato and mozzarella sauce): excellent Spaghetti with clams: good

'La Marinella' Bathing Establishment

Marinella beach (300 metres from the hotel) Sun lounger 7.50 € (each) Sun umbrella 4 € Staff anything but friendly. Bathers packed in like sardines. Restaurant/bar rather skimpy on portions. Sea not very clean because of the boats moored nearby.

POSITANO

Fornillo beach

Bagni Fratelli Grassi

Farfalle with tuna and anchovies (fresh fish): excellent Friendly, pleasant staff

La Marinella

Sun lounger 7.00 € (each) Sun umbrella included in the price NOTE: they are the last ones on the little beach. They offered us 4 spots at the water's edge for 20 € (a generous discount, if you ask me). The first three only had spots in the second/third row at a fixed price of 7 €. Business is business! Clear, clean sea; it doesn't disappoint.

VICO EQUENSE

Ristorante&Pizzeria da Gigino

Pizza by the metre The university of Pizza Pizza: the word university speaks for itself Desserts: the Profiterol and the Cassata are exceptional Parking (WATCH OUT): the pizzeria has a paid car park (2 €) but no sign at the entrance indicates the cost, which is requested in an underhand way on the way out (a rather unfair and inelegant practice).