Submitted by Brooke Cady on the 2019 winter session study abroad program in Italy sponsored by the Department of English…
This weekend, four of us traveled to Sorrento, Italy. This was my first time planning a weekend trip in a foreign country, with transportation, hotels, etc. All in all, it was definitely an overwhelming process. We came to find there were no direct trains from Rome to Sorrento so we decided to use our hotel concierge for advice. He helped us route our trip and recommended a phenomenal hotel for a decent price. He explained how to use the metro and how to book our trains on the Italian website. We were very nervous, however, his advice helped so much. After two connecting trains, we arrived on the beautiful Amalfi Coast. We strolled through the main streets, full of life even during the off season which was surprising. Restaurants, leather shops, and gelaterias lined the streets in a colorful manner. A short distance up a hill from the main Plaza stood our hotel, Hotel Minerva. The view from our balcony was absolutely breathtaking. Behind a red door, hid the impressive view of the Mediterranean Sea and an unbelievable view of the town of Sorrento. Mountains were visible as well, peaking through the clouds. Lemon and orange trees were everywhere you looked. The landscape looked like it had been painted onto canvas. It was truly a moment that I have never experienced before, absolute awe of nature’s beauty. Overall, seeking the advice of the concierge was truly beneficial in making this short trip, one to remember forever.