Where I stayed, ate, and shopped, the linens I carried home, and the twelve pieces I wore on repeat.

Some trips you plan around work. This one I planned around my parents, who were celebrating their 75th birthdays, and it turned into the slowest, sunniest week I’ve had in years.

With the gift of time and no kids this trip, I wandered sun-soaked streets with no real agenda, lingered over meals that somehow turned into three-hour conversations, ducked into tiny shops, and looked for inspiration at every turn. My agenda each day became about finding the best espresso, the best vintage shop, and the best linen embroidery store. I took pictures of every doorway, every Murano glass chandelier, and every piece of classic Italian furniture. It was a feast of inspiration.

Save this if you’re planning a trip to the south of Italy. I hope it gives you inspiration for where to eat, shop, and wander.

SORRENTO

Where To Stay

We decided to stay in Sorrento and do day trips from there, and I think it was a great choice. It's big enough to spend a couple of days wandering around, and convenient enough to easily catch ferries to the islands.

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria

If you're looking for old-world glamour with the best views in southern Italy, this is it. The location can't be beat. It's right in the center of town, but it feels like its own little oasis, set way back from the street. And it’s still family run for nearly 190 years! The elegance of the rooms. The sprawling dining room and terrace that overlooks the Gulf of Naples. If you can't stay the night, at minimum come here for sunset drinks. You can stay for hours looking out over the cliffs, spritz in hand, and in the evenings there's a live piano player. It doesn't get more romantic than this. Also fun fact, the Limoncello Spritz was invented here!

Aperol time, in my favorite spot.

Where To Eat

Pagero

There's a famous sandwich shop a block away. Do yourself a favor: skip the line and go straight to Pagero. This might top the best sandwich I've ever had. If you love artichokes, don't miss the marinated artichoke, prosciutto, and mozzarella. I'm still thinking about this sandwich.

L’Accademia Bar a Vin & Cucina

Literally two doors down from Pagero is L'Accademia. I stumbled upon this adorable restaurant and immediately made a reservation for that evening. It's set in an 18th-century wine cellar with a single communal table. Vincenzo, the owner, is full of Italian hospitality and an expert in wine pairings. You find a lot of the same traditional dishes at restaurants around town, but not here. It was the most unexpected and beautiful meal we had.

Where To Shop

Margherita

I’m not going to lie, there were far too many touristy shops for my liking. Finding the authentic ones took some real research and scouring. Margherita sits among many other tourist shops, but it’s the best pottery shop I found in town. Everything is handmade locally, and we ended up bringing home a few serving pieces that I can’t wait to use at our next dinner party.

Attanasio Luca

One of the only antique shops I found! I took home some beautiful embroidered linens for our table. There's nothing I love more than searching antique shops in Europe.

What I’m Bringing Home

I came home with a camera roll full of doorways, chandeliers, and old Italian furniture, and every one of them is going on an inspiration board.

I love how lived-in everything felt. The linens are embroidered by hand and meant to be used. The pottery was made down the street. Nothing feels too precious to touch. A good lesson in how every space should be designed.

What I Wore

A selection of the workhorses of my trip. I packed light and wore the same pieces on repeat: poplin and cotton for the heat, raffia for the sun, and a silk scarf that I used from the beach to dinner.