november-2011

AMALFI COAST, ITALY
hypnotised by the smell of food
wafting through the air.
A re-visit by boat also provides
a true appreciation first of the
pure insanity of even building on
the Amalfi Coast, and then of the
incredible power of fashion, which
turned this inhospitable rock face into
a legendary place to see and be seen.
And if you’re interested in
being seen, there is only one way
to travel. The Giulia Spider will
invariably be the smallest car on the
road, but if you’re driving one in
Italy, everyone will notice, trust me.
It’s like turning up at a pool party
with Sophia Loren on your arm.
Except Giulia has aged better. TC
COAST WITH THE MOST
Fly in to Naples and
take the scenic route to
the Amalfi Coast, making
sure not to miss:
NAPLES
The bustling, third-largest city in Italy
is renowned the world over for its art,
architecture and cuisine – it’s the
birthplace of pizza, after all.
POMPEII
A trip to Naples just isn’t complete
without a visit to the eerie ruins of
the city of Pompeii. We can thank
Mount Vesuvius for this snapshot of
the Roman Empire at its height, and
although the volcano hasn’t erupted
since 1944, it still dominates the
landscape of the Bay of Naples.
CAPRI
Catch the ferry or hydrofoil from
Naples, Sorrento, Positano or Amalfi
and set sail for Capri, a popular tourist
destination since the 50s. The island is
steeped in history, but also has plenty
of contemporary appeal – it’s host to
an International Film Festival in late
December every year.
52 Thomas Cook Travel
The classic ingredients for an Italian
long lunch: sublime food, great wine
and stunning views. All three are in
abundance on the terrace restaurant at
the four-star Mar Hotel Alimuri Spa, in
a picturesque bay in Meta di Sorrento
WHERE TO STAY
Hilton Sorrento Palace
This area of Italy is all about views. Many
hotels look out over the Mediterranean or the
Tyrrhenian Sea, but that is just miles and miles
of beautiful but boring blue ocean and sky.
The Hilton Sorrento Palace (thomascook.com),
however, has the ubiquitous sea views out
over the Bay of Naples and across to Mount
Vesuvius as standard, but its site in the hills
above Sorrento delivers additional views over
the ancient port town.
With spacious suites and balconies,
deciding how to divide your time between
your room,and the dazzling, four-tiered
pool – again with stunning views over the
bay – is the only challenging thing about
staying here. Oh, and deciding what to eat in a
restaurant that showcases the region’s finest
produce, including buffalo mozzarella, pasta,
limoncello and red wine. Our tip? Try them all.
Photographer David Crookes; Art Director
Christos Hannides; Assistant Photographer
Nicola Jackson; Production Ginny Cumming;
Stylist Nino Bauti; Hair & Make-up James
Butterfield @ IHA using Laura Mercier, Bumble
and Bumble; Models Katrine D @ First Model
Management & John Mason @ MOT Models.
For more about Italy visit your local
Thomas Cook or Going Places store, call
+44 (0)844 412 5966 or visit thomascook.com
For your own road trip along the Amalfi
Coast in a classic Alfa Romeo Spider,
contact Nostalgic Vintage Car Travel
(nostalgic.eu). Alternatively, you can book
a hire car with Avis. Call +44 (0)8445
810159 or visit avis.com
Sea Club Conca Azzurra
The exquisite location of the four-star Sea
Club Conca Azzurra (thomascook.com) is what
makes this place truly special. Nestled in an
attractive natural bay just 4km from the centre
of Sorrento in Massa Lubrense, it’s the perfect
starting point for a day trip to Pompeii, Mount
Vesuvius or one of the many other nearby
cultural sites. But mostly it’s the perfect place
to just relax and take advantage of the private
beach, the sea water swimming pools and the
resort’s bars and restaurants.
The main restaurant offers à la carte
dining, but it’s the thrice-weekly buffet on
the terrace that’s not to be missed. With live
music, a stunning setting and the heady aroma
of barbecued seafood wafting on the warm
Mediterranean breezes, you’ll be hard-pushed
to find a more relaxed or enjoyable dining
experience in this beautiful part of the world.
FOR HASSLE-FREE TRANSFERS TO GATWICK AND STANSTED AIRPORTS, BOOK YOUR TICKETS
AT GATWICKEXPRESS.COM AND STANSTEDEXPRESS.COM (RESPECTIVELY)