Last summer, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Italy for almost two weeks thanks to my lovely oldest daughter who gave me the gift of a lifetime on Mother’s Day – a trip to Italy and France. While I don’t think I can ever capture the magic that is the Old World history, charm, deliciousness, beauty, warmth of the people, I will do my best to share some of the most exciting moments of my experience and what I would recommend if you should ever find yourself in this part of Italy yourself.
Of course, I had an advantage, my son-in-law is an Italian, born and raised in Ercolano, a suburb of Napoli. And so that meant, I truly got an insider’s recommendations. Take that for a reliable resource when it comes to a few of the restaurants as well as some of the places we were able to go.
Rome
Rome was magnificent. I don’t know how anyone can think otherwise. The history, the architecture, the food was all so grand, I really wished I had more time there. I know that when I return (and I know I will because I threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain), I will spend at least a week if not more exploring all that Rome has to offer. Below are just a few of the photos we captured in Rome. Most are from the Vatican.
The Vatican: This is a must for anyone who loves architecture, art, history, even if not Catholic. While I was raised Catholic, it was very impressive to see St. Peter’s Basilica which was just unreal. When you add the museum and all of the incredible art, not to mention the Egyptian and Greek pieces that just make you think we are all a bunch of monkeys just lucky to feed ourselves at this point with the level of skill that went into these incredible sculptures – it is a must when in Rome. NOTE: Women must wear clothes that cover their shoulders or you will have to wear a scratchy piece of fabric they give you. I really wish I had known this because it was so hot and the feel of the fabric was really uncomfortable. It would have been far better to have a Tshirt on and a long skirt or long slacks.
FOOD: Here are the places we ate and we were not disappointed! The three places I mention below, we went to specifically from watching the Bobby Flay and Giada DiLaurentis show they did together on Italy – which I highly recommend if you are a foodie!
- Osteria Cacio e Pepe: https://www.osteriacacioepepe.it/ We had the Carbonara which was delicious!
- Mr. Tiramisu 100: You can try any number of unique Tiramisu flavors!
- Roscioli Salumeria – We literally lucked out one night just squeezing in for their last reservation and we sat right by the door in front of the meat display.
Ercolano
I found myself on the balcony of our apartment the first morning, sipping espresso and laughing at the Nonnas out watching the goings on below, when I realized that I too was a Nonna, people watching off the balcony and just loving life. It brought tears to my eyes to have this moment of connection to my ancestors and the beauty of the moment.
Herculaneum:
One of the most moving parts of my time in Italy was visiting the ancient ruins of Herculaneum, now nestled in the modern town of Ercolano. Ercolano, named after the ancient city itself (the Italian form of Herculaneum), sits quietly beneath the looming shadow of Mount Vesuvius. It was humbling to walk through a place with such a powerful history—where life once flourished before being abruptly silenced by nature’s fury in 79 AD. Unlike the vast and bustling Pompeii, Herculaneum feels more intimate and eerie, a quieter window into the everyday lives of Rome’s elite.
What struck me most was how incredibly well-preserved the ruins are. Wooden doors, furniture, and even food items have survived due to the way the pyroclastic surge from Vesuvius essentially sealed the city in time. Standing on ancient mosaic floors, peering at frescoes still clinging to the walls, and imagining life in these seaside villas was a surreal experience. It felt as though the people had only just stepped out—perhaps to the market or the baths—leaving their homes to speak silently for them. Discovering that over 300 skeletons were unearthed near the ancient shoreline, people caught in the act of escaping, reminded me that behind the beauty of these ruins lies a deeply human story of loss and sudden tragedy.
Sorrento
If you want to head to the Amalfi Coast a great place to start is Sorrento. What a quaint town and if you are looking for some R&R by the water, this place has it all. Amazing Food, Views, Water…. all are there waiting for you. We had one of my favorite meals down by the water in Sorrento, mussels, clams and pasta all with a fresh lemony sauce that is the staple of Sorrento. Lemons are everywhere! And if you are looking for more of that vacation feel, it is so nice to relax by the water and all along the coast are places to have food and drinks – and so it was a highlight of course to have a “spritz” while relaxing in between swims in the Mediterranean.
Perched atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the sparkling Bay of Naples, Sorrento is a town rich in legend, charm, and centuries of history. The area has been inhabited since ancient times, with roots going back to the Greeks and then the Romans, who built grand villas here to enjoy the sweeping sea views and lemon-scented breezes. According to mythology, Sorrento is said to be near the home of the sirens—those enchanting sea creatures who lured sailors to their doom with irresistible songs, as told in Homer’s Odyssey. Over the centuries, Sorrento grew as a strategic port and cultural center, later becoming a favorite stop on the 19th-century Grand Tour, attracting writers, poets, and artists from across Europe.
Today, Sorrento blends its historic soul with the relaxed elegance of a coastal escape. Visitors can stroll through the old town’s narrow alleys lined with artisan shops, admire the 14th-century Church of San Francesco with its tranquil cloister, or sip a limoncello made from the region’s famously fragrant lemons. Piazza Tasso, the town’s lively heart, is ideal for people-watching and soaking in the local energy. Just beyond the town center, you’ll find stunning lookouts along the cliffs, paths that lead down to secluded swimming spots, and the Marina Grande—a charming old fishing village with colorful boats and seaside restaurants serving the day’s fresh catch. Sorrento also serves as a gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii, making it both a destination and a perfect base for exploring southern Italy.
When we return, it will be high on the list to stay in or near Sorrento for a few days to really explore and enjoy this beautiful place.
Napoli
No trip to southern Italy would have been complete without my own Eat, Pray, Love moment in Naples, and for that, I made a beeline to the legendary L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. It was everything I dreamed it would be—Ari and I shared a perfectly blistered, paper-thin pizza, the kind where the sauce sings with San Marzano tomatoes and the mozzarella melts into a delicate cream. We sat right beneath the iconic photo of Julia Roberts, taken during the filming of Eat, Pray, Love, and for a moment, I understood exactly why her character savored that bite so deeply. It wasn’t just a meal—it was an experience of joy, simplicity, and beauty that felt quintessentially Italian.
There’s a saying about Naples: “You cry twice when you come to Naples—once when you arrive, and once when you leave.” I felt the truth of that in every heartbeat of the city. Naples pulses with a raw, unfiltered energy that’s impossible to ignore. It’s a city of contradictions: ancient and gritty yet overflowing with life, color, and soul. Every corner bursts with history, from the shadow of Mount Vesuvius in the distance to underground catacombs and baroque churches. Street musicians play lively melodies, scooters weave through narrow alleys, and vendors shout over overflowing produce stands. There’s a palpable pride here—in the food, the traditions, the chaos—and it’s utterly contagious. Naples doesn’t try to impress you with polish; instead, it invites you into its beautiful mess and dares you not to fall in love.
The rest of our time in Italy was spent soaking in the charm of Ercolano, Torre del Greco, and the stunning cliffside town of Positano. This region offered such an inviting, heartwarming glimpse into authentic Italian culture—far from the tourist crowds and full of soul. We indulged in more unforgettable pizza, decadent pastries, and some of the most delicious home-cooked meals I’ve ever had, lovingly prepared by my now son-in-law’s family. (Yes, it was true love—my daughter met her husband in Ercolano, at a pizzeria, of all places! Forget the bars, ladies… head to Ercolano!)
Some culinary highlights from this part of the trip included La Voce del Mare in Torre del Greco, where we enjoyed fresh, melt-in-your-mouth seafood with views of the water; Casa KBirr, also in Torre del Greco, serving up traditional Neapolitan dishes that tasted like a warm embrace; and Le Parulè in Ercolano, where the pizza was so divine it made me rethink everything I thought I knew about dough and sauce. Each meal felt like a celebration—of family, flavor, and the everyday magic of southern Italy.
As our journey came to a close, I found myself already longing to return. There’s something about this corner of Italy—its layered history, sun-soaked coastline, passionate people, and unapologetic zest for life—that stays with you. From wandering ancient ruins in Ercolano to sipping limoncello in Sorrento, to finding unexpected love in a pizzeria and sharing seafood under the stars in Torre del Greco, every moment felt like a piece of a larger, more soulful mosaic.
If you’re planning your own adventure, let this be your reminder to slow down and take your time. Don’t rush through the checklist of sites. Linger over a long lunch. Wander aimlessly through the narrow alleyways. Talk to the locals. Sit by the sea. Let yourself be swept into the rhythm of southern Italy. This region isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience, a feeling, a memory in the making. And if you let it, it will fill your heart in ways you didn’t even know you needed.
