After spending some time in Italy, I decided that Rome was my favorite city out of Pisa, Florence, Rome and Naples. But that all changed after we went to Sorrento. I was blown away by how beautiful this small town was.  The town is surrounded by cliffs along the crystal blue water. They are known for their production of citrus fruits, olives, as well as Limoncello. We stayed in a beautiful 18^th century family owned villa, Villa Romano, just a little outside of the city.

   

Our first day in Sorrento was spent in Pompeii, a city that was buried for 18 centuries from a volcanic eruption in 79. It is believed that about 20,000 people lived in Pompeii during the first century and it is very well preserved, thanks to the lack of air and moisture under the ashes. We saw how well this city functioned, with markets, shops, restaurants, fast food places, thermal baths and even the world’s oldest amfi theater. For dinner that night we had a couple come to the villa to teach us how to make pizza. It was a big hit! Have you ever had a Nutella pizza?

This is what a crosswalk looked like in the 1st century.

Big lemons!

On our second day in Sorrento we visited a small pasta factory as well as a family owned cheese factory. Did you know that pasta should preferably have a rough texture, because then it absorbs the sauce better? After lunch we hiked the “Path of the Gods,” along the Almafi Coast.  I think it must be the most amazing experience I have ever had in my life. The view was spectacular and it was just our group on the path (with the expectation of a few locals we met along the way.) Three hours in Paradise! I will defiantly be back in the near future!

Making some cheese

A wine vineyard along the "Path of the Gods"

Corey and I were given a very interesting article by The New Yorker, about the adulterated olive oil trade.  During the 90’s fraud was so widespread that it was hard for olive growers  to make an honest living, even though  they were collecting subsidiaries. Italy would import other types of oil, such as hazelnut oil, and mix it with olive oil, to then sell it as 100% pure olive oil. This fraud was of course discovered and to test the purity of the oil, they gathered a group of olive oil experts and conducted taste tests. Oil was heated to a specific temperature, and the taste testers would spend an hour rating the aroma, texture and other qualities.  Olive oil fraud is nothing new; it was even common during antiquity.  What other products have been falsely advertised. How would you react if you found out your favorite product wasn’t as pure as you thought? Food for thought?

Ciao!