Singinalot's 2023 Land Trip to Istanbul, Cappadocia, Rome, Amalfi Coast, & Florence

[Guest]

So to recap the day so far, we have:

gotten up early and flown from NAV to FCO,

ridden in the car service to the hotel and checked in,

eaten our first italian meal,

had gelato by the Trevi Fountain,

had a leisurely drink in Piazza Del Popolo

 

and now we will make our way back to the hotel

 

street performers everywhere

 

[Guest]

we dropped my purse in our room and quickly headed to the rooftop bar which opens daily at 5:30.

 

this little bird greeted us from the pantheon across the way

 

and really, no words necessary for this view

 

 

[Guest]

Nate smoked a cigar he had picked up from one of the nearby tabacchi shops and I sipped on a glass of rosé while we watched the sunset over the Pantheon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

we ended up sitting there for several hours, relaxing and chatting with a couple from Chicago that had just flown in and were experiencing Rome for the first time. They’d be departing on a Holland America cruise in a few days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

How quickly the room becomes home…

 

5.7 miles for a travel day…not so bad

 

[Bimmer09]

My favorite square and magical sunset spot. Never gets old. We are back there Sept 19 next year- "a couple from Chicago joining a Holland America cruise"-that'll be us!

 

Norris

[PurpleTraveller]

I just wanted to let you know that I was so inspired by your time in Istanbul and Cappadocia that I have extended our trip to Istanbul before our Infinity cruise next June. We are now including Cappadocia as well as Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon and Pamukkale. Thank you!

Allison 

[Guest]

22 hours ago, Bimmer09 said:

My favorite square and magical sunset spot. Never gets old. We are back there Sept 19 next year- "a couple from Chicago joining a Holland America cruise"-that'll be us!

 

Norris

 

Just read through your itinerary and can’t wait to hear about it all!  I truly don’t know much about HAL either so will be interested. 

 

22 hours ago, PurpleTraveller said:

I just wanted to let you know that I was so inspired by your time in Istanbul and Cappadocia that I have extended our trip to Istanbul before our Infinity cruise next June. We are now including Cappadocia as well as Gallipoli, Troy, Pergamon and Pamukkale. Thank you!

Allison 

 

Allison, I don’t know how to tell you how much this comment just made my week. Thank you! How exciting! Soooo jealous you’re going to Pamukkale! I wanted to fit that in so badly. 

[Guest]

So, admittedly, I grew up in the American midwest where public transit isn’t really a thing. I then lived in a suburb of Houston where it also wasn’t a thing and then Colorado where once again, not a thing. When researching Italy in the past, I’d over and over again seen people say how easy the train system is, but also frustrating in the event of strikes. I watched a million youtube videos before i finally felt comfortable in making some decisions. I downloaded the trenitalia app and plotted our course. Since we’d been to Rome so much, I felt comfortable in making that our hub for a few days.

 

[Guest]

August 10 arrived and we woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed. We must get to the train station. (insert several Yellowstone jokes made along the way here). 

We gave ourselves plenty of time for the walk because I wanted to get there and feel comfortable finding our way once inside, etc.

 

I had pre-purchased tickets for 8am departure in premium class for about 45euro total. Pre-purchase saves a LoT of money!

 

It is very easy to read the monitors at the station. Just look for your train number and about 10-15 minutes before departure, the track number will populate.

 

 

 

once your track populates, you scan your ticket QR code, enter the glass doors, and head to the track. Your ticket tells you what coach you’re in and the signs overhead (below) are easy to follow and see the coach numbers.

 

 

there’s our bullet train

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

The train doors open and you load right in. Seats are easily numbered like a plane. I had picked our seats when purchasing the tickets.

Plenty of room!

 

 

Some of the trains require you check in when you board so that they know you’re there and some have an agent that walks through the train and scans your ticket.

My app notified me it was time to check in.

 

 

a server walks through with complimentary snacks

 

 

[Guest]

Well, if you saw in the last post, it gave away where we’re headed.

After an hour and 20 minutes, we have arrived at Napoli Centrale, the main station in Naples. 

Nate and I have been to Naples twice before, on our 2018 and 2019 Royal cruises. 

In 2019, we had done a private excursion to the Amalfi Coast with Carmine Doggie’s See Amalfi Coast. Carmine has toured Rick Steves, Adam Sandler, and many others.

When we left Positano in 2019, I knew it was a place I had to go back too. Our few hours there just weren’t enough.

So, in planning, I reached out to Carmine again and secured a pick up at the train station (insert Yellowstone jokes) and transfer to Positano and lunch at his family’s restaurant.

We were met promptly at the station by Fabyana, our guide, and Vincenzo, our driver.

 

[Guest]

When we hopped in the car, Fabyana asked if we’d like to stop in Sorrento. Sure! We haven’t been there yet.

 

Cute little cart along the way.

 

 

this was not inside a door’d church, it was out in the open…a couple of women were taking pictures of each other and I couldn’t really get a good pic, but so beautiful

 

 

massive lemons everywhere 

 

 

the town square

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

We spent about 30 minutes in Sorrento. I would definitely go back when it’s not so hot and packed. Would love to explore the alleys and little cafes.

 

After leaving Sorrento, we decided we’d like to eat lunch first and then visit Positano. Vincenzo maneuvered us gracefully through the coastline and up up up the mountains.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

We traveled up and up to La Tagliata

 

Positano below

 

 

Fabyana & Nate

 

the most beautiful restaurant entrance

 

[Guest]

Tagliata is such a special treat overlooking Positano https://www.latagliata.com/historic-positano-restaurant

 

We ate here in 2019 and it was such an amazing experience. We had to come back.

There is no menu. They make everything with fresh vegetables from their garden daily. It is truly farm to table.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 10, 2023 by singinalot

[Guest]

 

 

i bought 2 bottles of the white to take home for 20 euros

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

 

 

[Guest]

some photos and video from our 2019 stop

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ozark_Kid]

3 hours ago, singinalot said:

Tagliata is such a special treat overlooking Positano https://www.latagliata.com/historic-positano-restaurant

 

We ate here in 2019 and it was such an amazing experience. We had to come back.

There is no menu. They make everything with fresh vegetables from their garden daily. It is truly farm to table.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I certainly understand wanting to revisit this place!  This place is beautiful!  Great view and it looks like good food.

[Guest]

6 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

I certainly understand wanting to revisit this place!  This place is beautiful!  Great view and it looks like good food.

 

absolutely! everything is delicious! they also have cooking classes which I would love to one day try! mmm making pasta at the top of Positano? yes please

[Guest]

After enjoying our lunch and wine, We were dropped off in Positano town and given 2 hours to enjoy at our leisure. 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked downhill, to the beach, and stopped at a couple of stores along the way.

 

[maggieq]

Wow 🤩 and wow!

[Guest]

 

One thing we hadn’t had time to do in 2019 was really just sit, enjoy a drink, and take it all in. That was a must on my list for this trip.

 

 

 

 

yes please

https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-24630/mr-t.htm

 

https://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-24630/mr-t-photos.htm

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 11, 2023 by singinalot

[Guest]

10 minutes ago, maggieq said:

Wow 🤩 and wow!

agreed!