Subscribe Now By Vivian Howard June/July 2024 my son had to write a poem about me for Mother’s Day My kids have been dealt an assignment like this before so I braced myself for the sure-to-be-eye-opening experience of reading his unvarnished thoughts regarding my private life The observations both he and his sister had made about me in the past highlighted things I didn’t even know about myself This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply The stanza “My mom goes to the grocery store every day / It doesn’t matter if we need anything she always finds a way” couldn’t be more accurate But what Theo fails to mention is that I actually hate going to the grocery store for all the mundane things—broccoli once I’m behind the cart and it feels like Groundhog Day (wasn’t I just here?) I rush through the aisles as if I’m on a game show is how I find myself having to return daily to Food Lion Theo’s words hold meaning on multiple levels Because while I do tend to view trips to my local supermarket as a burdensome chore I embrace the chance to mosey through a grocery store just about anywhere else I visit It’s the best way to experience the essence of a place—if you’re ever in Hawaii and you don’t go to gaze and graze upon the poke bar the supermarkets there offer in lieu of a deli I would like to credit my innate anthropological curiosity for leading me to this type of tourism but I think I can instead trace it back to my longtime fear of looking like a tourist and selfie stick would strip away all my self-respect And even though the rural chip on my shoulder has eroded over time when I envision myself clutching a YOU ARE HERE map like a country mouse or when I open my mouth in an unfamiliar place and my accent escapes I grew up watching TV shows like The Beverly Hillbillies and Hee Haw both of which poked fun at rural folks with exaggerated high-pitched twangs and clothes from the nineteenth century dripping in props that scream “she ain’t from around here,” and with a question to ask I fear I’d be paralyzed bait for pickpockets on the Paris Métro and just plain easy fodder for haters everywhere This approach eliminates many traditional trip options You would literally have to pay me to board a cruise ship or go to an amusement park And so while my children may lament that they’ve never been to Disney World or the Great Wolf Lodge they have spent two weeks in Massa Lubrense Few tourists seek out that small town tucked near Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast but many of the people who work in the hotels and restaurants to its north and south call it home I carried on in Massa Lubrense as if I lived there too except for the ones when I did the most low-key touristy things my expat guide could conjure I putzed around the town square and patronized the local butcher and pasta maker until my heart swelled like a full-blown Italian’s preferring to use pointing and credit cards to communicate I wasn’t fooling anyone into thinking I was from Massa Lubrense But it was enough to make me happy on vacation My determination to act like a local and therefore shop like one began when I spent a summer in New York City for an internship at CBS’s Sunday Morning and other people who looked like they had a real reason to be there nibbling on pastries from what was then Nussbaum & Wu is of a Sunday afternoon trip there to fetch rotisserie chicken But I didn’t yet know I’d also fallen in love with the grocery store Most study-abroad stories are full of butterflies and rainbows not so much: I was in a car accident my first week there which greatly affected the quality of the remaining six months in Argentina I searched for solace on the streets of Recoleta—the posh neighborhood where I slept in a woman’s office on her pullout couch—and eventually found it inside a grocery store just down the hill and around the corner called El Almacén and properly chilled expanse overflowed with all the things I loved most about Argentina because I didn’t have to ask anyone about the items I only had to endure one awkward interaction at checkout and then I could douse myself in the comforts of dulce de leche and cookies called alfajores dunked in milk the store alarmingly only offered at room temperature in a carton my affinity for tourism-by-grocery has only deepened I often see firsthand the evidence that supermarkets can offer a bird’s-eye view—and a literal taste—of the communities they serve every time I begrudgingly stop at the Piggly Wiggly in Kinston for laundry detergent other than a Pig in Eastern North Carolina would you find an entire aisle of dried corn products a wall cooler designated for seasoning meat and produce bins dominated by cabbage collards As a woman who lives in the middle of nowhere to experience and peruse exotic ingredients on a regular basis I simply head to H Mart and Bharath Bazar in Cary with a side of Wegmans and Trader Joe’s in Raleigh A look back at Lexington’s Calumet Farm and its storied cast of Thoroughbreds Four decades later, Dolly Parton’s Smoky Mountain wonderland still sparkles Derby season is here, and we’re looking back at our own winner’s circle The future of conservation in the South just got a little bit brighter—and not just for salamanders The mounds may look insignificant, but they’re the craftsmanship of local crustaceans called lawn lobsters The drawls are receiving a lot of flak across the internet, but a North Carolina linguist argues they’re actually pretty accurate The Oscar-winning actor discusses childhood dishes, her love of fish and chips and making limoncello in Italy. Food has always been a cornerstone of our family. Both my parents cooked: my dad would make epic brunches, and my mom would [go all out] for the holiday meals. I loved her fried cabbage and her eggplant parmigiana. She also made this dish that was a quiche mixed with a soufflé — it was predominantly spinach, mushrooms and various cheeses. I wasn’t vegetarian or anything, but I remember really enjoying vegetarian dishes. What gives me the most joy is cooking for other people. I look up five different recipes from five different sources to compare. I study them for hours and pick my favourite things from recipe to recipe. For example, recently I’ve been obsessed with spaghetti al limone — if one recipe says use egg yolk, I’ll do that, but counter it with less heavy cream or cheese. That way, I create my own version of that dish. I think creating a recipe that tastes good is art. On the Amalfi Coast, the lemons were ridiculous and the tomatoes were insane. I’ve never had bad food in Italy. I went to this amazing restaurant, Ristorante La Torre One Fire [in Massa Lubrense] where the ‘mama’ was so warm. She let me cook with her and taught me how to make limoncello. She told me to come back and I did — every single day. It was truly the best food of my life. I think it was due to a combination of skill set, technique and produce — it was next level. After flights and accommodation, I look at restaurants. I get recommendations months in advance, and sometimes I’ll use Anthony Bourdain’s. I don’t like touristy places, unless it’s touristy because it’s so fantastic. I love all the different flavour profiles of Thai food. The sweet and the savoury, the sour and the spicy. I’d love to know more and get better at cooking it. Especially here in the States, you’d have to go to a proper speciality store to get all the correct seasonings and spices. You can’t really substitute with Asian food; I’ve tried, and it tastes completely different. Home » What to see » Massa Lubrense » St the village of Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi – in the municipality of Massa Lubrense – owes its name precisely to the panorama it can enjoy: precisely from the monastery of the Benedictine Nuns ( Deserto locality) it is possible to observe both the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno the toponym “Sant”Agata” appears in official documents dated 1347 It is certain to derive from the presence of a chapel that no longer exists today Agatha a popular destination since the late eighteenth century particularly during the period of the Grand Tour have been a source of inspiration and refuge of the heart of many literary men and artists who have made the Sorrento Peninsula their home represents the archetypal seascape par excellence: how can one not be enchanted when faced with the view of the Isle of Capri we come to the parish church of Santa Maria delle Grazie Although very few sources have come down to us about the founding of the church and until the 16th century it was known as “Santa Maria di Casafestina,” probably by the founders Certain information is that following a wave of the epidemic in 1665 all paper documents in the possession of the then parish priest (infected and deceased) outside were set on fire for fear of contagion that the church was built as a vow to Our Lady by a certain Marcantonio Festinese an inhabitant of the village: he would raise the temple in exchange for saving his daughter from the clutches of a wolf Following elevation as a parish seat (in 1566 under the pontificate of Pius V) and thanks to renovations conducted by Bishop Bishop Centino and completed in 1625 the church acquired the appearance we see today Aligned with typical late Renaissance architecture the building has a Latin cross plan with a single nave with vaulted ceiling six side chapels (three on each side) and with the dome on the cross vault The interior of the church is very simple but elegant: it features leaf festoons and other stucco decorations; the flooring consists of riggiole dating from the last quarter of the 17th century made in the last decade of the seventeenth century by Florentine architect and sculptor Dionisio Lazzari is a true masterpiece both for the polychromatic refinement of the carvings and for the richness of the details stands the three-tiered bell tower; in the second one is affixed theclock made of majolica tiles dating from the later 18th century is the image of Our Lady of Grace mounted on the entrance portal Prominent among the various patron chapels is that of the Pastena family (third made with the contribution of the people of Santagata in the late 1880s is placed on the small altar to replace the one previously stolen From the book “History of Massa Lubrense“ by Riccardo Filangieri di Candida we know that the ancient chapel dedicated to St Agatha was located at the corner of the present Corso Sant’Agata and “[…]della via che mena a Sorrento” that is Decommissioned and abandoned in the later 18th century the cult to the saint from here was transferred to the parish of Santa Maria delle Grazie is explained the strong bond that unites local community with St The community reserves a special devotion to the saint and every year numerous liturgies are celebrated on the days before and after the feast day Agatha’s Day families gather to eat lunch together the “maritata” soup and the cream pizza (word of Nonna Maria the parish community carries the silver bust of the saint in procession Questo sito web utilizza i cookie per migliorare la vostra esperienza durante la navigazione attraverso il sito web I cookie che vengono classificati come necessari vengono memorizzati sul tuo browser Questi vengono salvati in quanto sono essenziali per il funzionamento delle funzionalità di base del sito Utilizziamo anche cookie di terze parti che ci aiutano ad analizzare e capire come utilizzi questo sito Questi cookie saranno memorizzati nel tuo browser solo con il tuo consenso Hai anche la possibilità di opt-out di questi cookie Ma l'esclusione da alcuni di questi cookie può avere un effetto sulla vostra esperienza di navigazione ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravel9 Stunning Under-The-Radar Beaches In Italy To Discover This SummerByCatherine Sabino Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Catherine Sabino is an editor and author who writes about travel.Follow AuthorApr 25 08:15am EDTShareSaveCommentMassa Lubrense on the Sorrento peninsula Italy’s best-known beaches are renowned worldwide sparkling seas and settings that offer other-worldly sunrises and sunsets and while it’s a challenge to find an empty beach almost anywhere in peak season (except boat-access-only coves) there are plenty of under-the-radar and less frenzied spots with ample helpings of natural beauty and historic attractions These places have not lost their local rhythms and charms to a tidal wave of tourists and are frequented by Italians who live in nearby towns Cassandra Santoro of Travel Italian Style and Francesca Montillo of Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures share tips for finding these beaches and seaside resorts in some of Italy’s most in-demand coastal regions I’ve also added a couple of my own suggestions At her company Sanremo Experience specializes in travel experiences focusing on the Italian Riviera and Côte d’Azur The coast near San Lorenzo al Mare and Arma di Taggia In addition to the famous and glamorous stops along the Riviera Roberta Giovannina delights in showing visitors the less familiar parts of Liguria on the Riviera di Ponente not far from the French border describing it as one of the most historic and cultural spots in the region Taggia consists of two villages—Taggia itself which she says is a beautiful In the seaside area you’ll find sandy stretches of beach with a mix of private lidos and public areas Beaches here have earned the coveted Bandiera Blu status A former Roman outpost and an important trade center for the Republic of Genoa, Taggia is one of the Borghi Più Belli d’Italia Giovannina likes to take visitors to the center of the medieval village where you’ll find ancient coats of arms embellishing building facades and fortified portals and many botteghe selling handcrafted products from the town and nearby region Among the other attractions are the arched Ponte Antico bridge from the Middle Ages the ruins of a castle on a site affording great views and the Convent of the Dominican Fathers with a work attributed to Parmigianino The town is also famous for Taggiasca olives and the olive oil produced in the area but the beaches are wonderful here,” says Giovannina Said to be the smallest hamlet in the province of Imperia (and a short drive from Taggia) much of what the bigger resorts have to offer—a combination of sandy and rocky beaches with public areas and beach clubs a centro storico dating from the Middle Ages and a wonderful lungomare or sea promenade for evening passeggiatas which becomes a swirl of blue and green umbrellas in high season San Lorenzo is also at the end (or beginning depending on the direction you’re coming from) of a 24-kilometer cycling path that starts/finishes in Ospedaletti Giovannini calls the cycle path one of the Riviera’s “crown jewels.” Cassandra Santoro is the founder and CEO of Travel Italian Style specializing in customized trips in Italy Santoro says that while she enjoys the seaside life of southern Italy—her base is currently Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast—she frequently travels throughout the country to discover new experiences for her clients and has visited each of Italy’s 20 regions “While not exactly hidden [with a location on the Sorrento Peninsula] Massa Lubrense has long been overlooked,” says Cassandra Santoro scenic hiking trails and convenient proximity to Sorrento town and the Amalfi Coast Massa Lubrense offers a refreshing alternative.” A range of accommodations are available from Termini to Nerano [frazioni there has been a noticeable increase in interest for visitors even though it was once only a place for locals.” Santoro refers to Santa Maria di Castellabate a two-and-a-half-hour drive south of the Amalfi Coast as “a hidden gem tucked away in the territory of Cilento You might recognize it from Benvenuti al Sud [a popular movie released in 2010],” she says “but its real charm lies in [the] peaceful vibe The seaside offers Blue Flag waters and a mix of sandy and pebbly beaches.” Santoro notes the town has plenty of local shops “Cilento is known for its focus on the Mediterranean diet and the mozzarella here is one of my favorites ‘mozzarella nella mortella’ [prepared with age-old methods using myrtle leaves for preservation] for a true taste of the region.” For those interested in [ancient] history the Parco Archeologico di Paestum is nearby For the past few years Gallipoli has been one of Santoro’s favorite summer getaways “The town is located just 40 minutes from Lecce and boasts its own rich history and delicious local eateries.” Within the town she says is the “serene Spiaggia della Purità You can [also] opt for one of the nearby traditional lidos if you prefer to rent chairs and have a full-out beach-club experience Either way expect to enjoy the crystal clear water!” Francesca Montillo is the founder of Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures that offers planned and customized culinary tours throughout Italy who was born in Italy and now resides in the U.S. is the author of three popular Italian cookbooks is one of the most beautiful towns in the Vibo area of Calabria,” says Francesca Montillo “If you are looking for a place full of history Start your trip by visiting the centro storico with its narrow which create a magical atmosphere.” She gives Pizzo high marks for authenticity describing it as the type of town where you come across children playing soccer in courtyards and see laundry hanging on balconies while you wander small “The marina offers a great view of local life noting that you can watch fishermen heading out to or returning from the sea She says it won’t be long before more people discover Pizzo but mostly from other Italians and not from folks outside Italy.” “which is a high number for a town with less than 10,000 inhabitants.” Her favorite is the Chiesetta di Piedigrotta Another recommendation for Pizzo is to stop at one of the many gelato shops and try the local specialty flavor and each claims to have the best,” she says which felt huge to me growing up in a place ten minutes away with a population of 1,000 a number of interesting churches and a castle,” says Montillo “The Gulf of Squillace attracts most visitors and by most visitors I mean other locals from nearby towns or ex-pats such as myself who return every summer as the area is not yet widely recognized outside of Calabria “Squillace Lido Marina has rocky and sandy beaches suitable for children and adults,” she says “Here you will find beach clubs as well as free beaches The pine forest that surrounds this beach allows one to cool off on the hottest days A few minutes away are Copanello and Caminia beaches with crystal-clear seas Both are also very popular with locals during hot summer months.” Montillo says travelers to Squillace should make a point of stopping by the Norman Castle in the historic center to see “a perfect example of medieval architecture It has been remodeled several times due to earthquakes For souvenirs she suggests visiting the many artisan shops specializing in ceramics and pottery which is one of the municipalities in Italy that can boast of having a DOC brand The workshops are scattered throughout the historic center and you can watch the artisans at work.” who come for the wide sandy beaches and Bandiera-Blu-ranked seas I experienced the beaches here when I was a student in Pisa and took advantage of the balmy coastal climate where you could often swim from May to October where umbrellas and loungers are available to rent you can explore the Oasis WWF Dune di Tirrenia a 24-hectare property with paths for walking and biking and descriptive signage to help you identify plants and wildlife Along one of the most famous stretches of coast in Italy not far from the glamorous yacht-centric Portofino you’ll find the hamlet of San Michele di Pagana a low-key destination that’s held on to a get-away-from-it-all vibe even though it is within walking distance of the famous resort like an Anthony van Dyck painting and other pieces by Luca Giordino and Guercino in the local church pebbly sand beaches that offer both public spaces and private lidos Italian hospitality brand The Romeo Collection has announced that its second property The hotel will be one of the last projects from Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid Housed in a palazzo that dates back to the late 16th century the 74-key hotel will comprise a restaurant an open-air 22,000ft² courtyard with indoor and outdoor pools as well as a wellness centre by Sisley Paris To bring the property to life, The Romeo Collection partnered with Zaha Hadid, whose design choices see Italian local marble and wood create a new dialogue with the city of Rome Seeking to maintain aspects of the palazzo’s original beauty five of the guest suites will feature ancient giving guests a unique immersion in the city’s history “The basis of the Romeo Collection is built on creating spaces that masterfully integrate worldly art collections contemporary design and breathtaking architecture so once we came upon the noble Serroberti-Capponi family’s former 16th-century palazzo we knew this was the perfect space to house the collection’s next project,” said Alfredo Romeo “The history naturally built into the palazzo and the city of Rome itself became the perfect canvas for Zaha Hadid to create a unique intersection of the past and present.” The hotel’s restaurant, Il Ristorante, will be overseen by Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse while bistro and bar Napoletano will offer up Mediterranean-inspired cuisine to guests Romeo Roma will also be home to a 13,000ft² wellness centre, where Sisley Paris will offer a range of phyto-aromatic treatments as well as a movement studio and fitness centre with Technogym equipment the property’s art collection will be internationally curated ancient and contemporary will be in constant dialogue from archeological ruins in the courtyard to unique installations of contemporary artists The Romeo Collection’s upcoming opening will add to its existing property in Naples, which opened in 2008. Future openings include Romeo Massa Lubrense, which will see the brand continuing its expansion across Italy Registered in England and Wales with Company Number 06637145 We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy Home » Contest » The Selected Photos for About Sorrento 2024 Calendar The About Sorrento Photo Contest reaches its fifth edition it has once again witnessed the participation of numerous amateur and professional photographers The chosen theme was “Life in the Sorrentine Peninsula“ 12 photos have been selected—two for each municipality of the peninsula—to be featured in the calendar and exhibited This year, we have received support from the Sorrento Municipality, which has included our initiative in the official events of the “M’illumino d’inverno” Christmas program We also have the moral sponsorship of the Campania Region and the Municipalities of Massa Lubrense, Meta, Piano di Sorrento, Sant’Agnello and Vico Equense A special thanks to all contest participants who have contributed to enhancing the Sorrentine Peninsula with their images Let’s discover together the photos from the #aboutsorrento2024 The calendar opens with a beautiful photo by Vincenzo Pane Sorrento’s inlaid wood is a source of prestige for this city involving the creation of decorations with pieces of wood of various colors and shapes The shepherd also represents the flow of life on the Sorrentine Peninsula, a life that seems to have stood still on the slopes of Mount Faito in Vico Equense With this shot Salvatore De Stefano represents for us the month of February Easter in the Sorrento Peninsula is rich in rituals and traditions, with the striking processions of hooded figures dominating the Holy Week Annalisa Mazzarella captures this in her shot expressed in the production of spun paste cheeses like fior di latte Representing the month of April is Sara Russo‘s shot Nature has always been a defining element of life for everyone including taking a refreshing walk on Mount Faito in Vico Equense Photo by Francesco Varone we are transported to a bygone era when embroidery and handkerchiefs were a strength of this area It’s so wonderful today witnessing some women keeping this tradition alive The Sorrento area is rich in fishing villages where fishermen keep their traditions alive Marina di Cassano stands out for its charm made even more evident by the nets spread out in the sun Cristiano Zelli‘s shot captures the atmosphere and colors The characteristic wooden establishments at Marina Piccola in Sorrento suspended over the crystal-clear waters of the coast offer comfort and the caress of the wind on the skin The photo is by Rossella Marino and fully represents a sunny day in August September is the month of the grape harvest, and Giuseppe Armellino‘s photo shows the grape stomping stomping was done barefoot and for the children it was a festive day Sorrento walnuts are an emblem of the typical products of the peninsula the fruits are ready to be handpicked by farmers This shot by Chiara Russo couldn’t miss for the #aboutsorrento2024 calendar In this photo by Claudio D’Esposito which is an ancient tradition and a festive moment Expert hands of farmers shaking the branches and baskets full of green and black fruits are visible we have chosen Lauro Castellano‘s photo depicting the lighting of the bonfire in honour of Santa Lucia in Meta a beloved saint and tradition in several municipalities of the peninsula These are the 12 photos representing Life in the Sorrentine Peninsula They will be exhibited in a show at the San Francesco Cloister in Sorrento from January 1 to 15 the author of the cover illustration who – along with other creators Giovanni Ercolano – daily carries forward the About Sorrento project Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates about the Sorrentine Peninsula and its events See you to the next #aboutsorrento contest Home » In Sorrento a concert for the 130th anniversary of “Torna a Surriento” song For the 130th anniversary of the launch of the iconic song ‘Torna a Surriento’ which made Sorrento famous all over the world the Municipality is going to organise a tribute concert to its composer On 28 June 2024 at 9 pm, the Cloister of San Francesco will host tenor Giuseppe Serra for a moving concert open to the public there will also be a Painting T-Shirt performance on the theme ‘Torna a Surriento’ by young artists T-shirts will be distributed for free to all those attending while stocks last Menus showcase ingredients from artisan producers A recent summer supper included calamari and octopus served on a slick of tangy Mexican guacamole and lingua di passera pasta with scorfano (scorpion fish) sun-dried tomatoes and lemon zest - an utterly delicious play on sweet Sorrento's Marina Grande is not short of cheap-and-cheerful trattorias narrow deck that juts into the bay at the far end of the little harbour From here it is possible to watch the bobbing boats in the moonlight while eating excellent fish and seafood dishes such as calamarata Delfino (thick pasta tubes with clams prawns and courgettes) and pezzogna all'acqua pazza (bream in tomato broth) Address: Ristorante Bagni Delfino, Via Marina Grande, 216, Sorrento NA, ItalyTelephone: +39 81 878 2038Price: About £80 for two this busy little family-run joint is hard to beat; if it's raining Depending on the catch of the day that morning grilled calamari and insalata Caprese made with local treccia (plaited cow's-milk mozzarella) A jug of the chilled house white will set you up nicely for the slog back up to the town centre SorrentoDavid LoftusTHE BEST RESTAURANTS IN VICO EQUENSETorre del SaracinoThis is probably the best Michelin-starred restaurant in the area Prepare to be blown away by Gennaro Esposito's carefully judged riffs which combine superb ingredients with modern techniques from risotto al limone with amberjack and wild garlic to spit-roast pigeon with braised endive and pomegranate jus fragrant wild strawberries - taste as spectacular as they look and the fairly priced wine list is exemplary Gigino Dell'Amura founded his pizzeria in 1960 patenting a recipe for pizza by the metre that has become famous all over the world it gets through about 1.5 kilometres of the stuff The elongated pizzas (two metres max) are baked in huge wood-burning ovens and rolled on trolleys to the table by seasoned waiters Not only does this retro place make the best ice cream on the peninsula it also stocks a fabulous selection of cheeses and sweet treats Try the sfogliatella gelato or the brioche stuffed with ricotta and fresh figs Hillary Clinton is a fan; there's a letter from her by the till Address: Gabriele, Corso Umberto I °, 8, 80069 Vico Equense NA, ItalyTelephone: +39 898 8744Website: gabrieleitalia.com On a sharp bend in the main road between Seiano and Meta di Sorrento is this glittering restaurant Husband-and-wife owners Annamaria and Salvatore De Gennaro have carefully sourced local produce as well as niche products from the rest of Italy: l'Arcangelo olive oil the freshest buffalo mozzarella from Battipaglia and an exceptional selection of wines There's an all-day menu of home-cooked dishes too including pasta alla genovese (with onion-rich Neapolitan meat sauce) and the perfect melanzane alla parmigiana plus platters of cheese and salumi (cured meats and sausages) Address: La Tradizione, Via Raffaele Bosco 969, 80069 Vico Equense NA, ItalyTelephone: +39 81 802 8437Website: latradizione.comPrice: About £50 for two Breakfast at Don AlfonsoDavid LoftusTHE BEST RESTAURANTS IN MASSA LUBRENSELa Torre 'One Fire'This out-of-the-way spot sits in the shadow of an ancient look-out tower in a quiet hamlet high in the hills above Massa Lubrense ('One Fire' is jovial owner Tonino Mazzola's nickname) Bag a table on the flower-filled terrace and tuck into an enormous plate of mixed antipasti which includes both meaty and fishy goodies and panzerotti (deep-fried dough balls) Follow this by exemplary ravioli Caprese stuffed with ricotta and marjoram or amberjack served with sweet local tomatoes informal osteria in the centre of Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi turns out textbook versions of regional classics from both land and sea with Slow Food status Affable Mimmo De Gregorio looks after front of house while his mother and father cooking up winners such as sweet red peppers stuffed with a piquant mix of bread and capers and possibly the best roast chicken with roast potatoes you will ever taste take the white-knuckle shuttle ride in a funny little elongated van downthe sheer cliff-side to this more-shabby-than-chic beach club It's set on a rocky cove south of Marina della Lobra and is pretty basic I had a terrific lunch of spaghetti al coccio: a whole pinky-bronze gurnard laid out beside a steaming mound of garlicky It was one of the best things I ate this trip Address: Captain Cook, Via San Liberatore a Marciano, 80061 Massa Lubrense NA, ItalyTelephone: +39 335 678 3738Price: About £60 for two The cookery school at Don AlfonsoDavid LoftusDon Alfonso 1890Alfonso Iaccarino and his wife Livia opened their legendary restaurant - which now has two Michelin stars - in Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi in 1973 at a time when smart dining didn't exist in southern Italy The food was (and still is) based on tradition showcasing seasonal ingredients from the peninsula The extra-virgin olive oil and much of the produce comes from Le Peracciole the family's seven-hectare organic farm on Punta Campanella Alfonso's son Ernesto now continues his father's philosophy of fresh and local producing dishes such as spaghetti with mackerel a stand-out soup with crab and intense sun-ripened tomatoes The extensive wine list is presented on an iPad; if you ask nicely you may even be allowed to visit the wine cellar an underground passage that dates from the 6th century BC this famous beach-front restaurant in Marina del Cantone has many fans who pitch up by boat when they are in the area authentic recipes down to grandson Tommaso and the menu features fish and seafood straight off the boat and seasonal vegetables gathered daily from the family plots Lo Scoglio's spaghetti con le zucchini alla Nerano - a melting combination of pasta Just around the headland from Marina del Cantone lies the tiny cove of Recommone and Conca del Sogno restaurant bar and general seaside hangout built into the rocks so most people arrive by boat for a swim and a long linguine ai frutti di mare and whole-baked fish in a salt crust and for those who can't be bothered to go back to their boats This feature was published in Condé Nast Traveller May 2017 Lia Lou Di Massa, 20, of Chatham, Kent, died when the Vauxhall Corsa overturned and smashed into a wall in Massa Lubrense, near Naples.  According to local media reports, Lia was on the way back from a nightclub early yesterday morning near the coastal resort of Sorrento with Angelo Guarracino, 21, when the car flipped and crashed.  Guarracino, who was not badly injured, failed a drink and drugs test at the scene of the crash and police are investigating him for causing death by dangerous driving. Witnesses rushed to help and paramedics were quickly on the scene but Lia was declared dead.  She was originally from Chatham, Kent, and went to the town's Bishop of Rochester Academy. A police spokesman said: ''A 21 year old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal car crash that left a young British woman dead “The driver was arrested after testing positive for drugs and alcohol He has been placed under formal investigation but has been bailed.'' We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 THE8 September 2022 we may have the opportunity to admire the most beautiful ship in the world sail our sea We are talking about the training ship of the Italian Navy "Amerigo Vespucci”Which will stop in the waters of Massa Lubrense during the ceremony of the arrangement of the "Madonnina del Vervece" This particular event will be held from 8 to 11 September and on the first of these days one plaque in honor of Amerigo Vespucci it will be placed on the emerged wall of the Vervece rock the prestigious boat will receive an award during the ceremony On the occasion of the celebrations for the "Madonnina del Vervece" the training ship will receive ahonor on September 8 The prize will be collected by the commander at 10.30 in Piazza Vescovado in Massa Lubrense and at 11.30 there will be the procession that will bring the statue of the Madonna from the Cathedral to the Vervece area There will be gods here sub of the armed forces who will arrange the statue on the rock a 12 meters of depth there will be the throwing flowers into the sea and the Amerigo Vespucci will start again Photo source: Naval League Section of Ancona we earn a commission from qualifying purchases through ticketing links This commission does not entail any additional price for the user After the success of the last editions the classes of Yoga at Sunset in an exceptional location: the Bay of Ieranto in Massa Lubrense organized by the FAI in collaboration with the Symbiotic association will be held from 26 June to 25 September 2016 Lo yoga style that will be practiced is the Kundalini according to the teachings of Yogi Bhajan and with the guidance of Nirmal Nam Kaur The atmosphere of the bay and the natural elements will be the perfect background for this discipline made of meditation the lessons will take place in the pine forest or among the olive trees at the farmhouse and the duration of each class is about an hour and a half Reservations are required and the workshop will be activated with a minimum of ten participants It is advisable to wear comfortable clothes This commission does not entail any additional price for the user.