OK, so we weren't exactly roughing it in Sorrento :-) We stayed at Hotel Prestige, 4 years old, high on a hill overlooking the town. It was top-flight service, comfort, atmosphere, friendly staff, good food, and great views. What more could we ask for? They provided a shuttle bus for the 30 minute, down hill, hairpin turn ride to the town of Sorrento where we spent one morning (with throngs of tourists).
After Sorrento we traveled on to Rome for our last night. We stayed in the neighborhood of Trastevere, the ancient heart of Rome. Our taxi driver (a native of Trastevere) told us that the locals consider Trastevere the center of Rome. Everything else is just suburbs!
We went to see the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The oldest church dedicated to the Blessed Mother, it was most likely built in 350 AD. It was partially destroyed by fire during the Sack of Rome in 410 AD but repaired and re-dedicated in 422. It underwent several renovations in the 8th & 9th centuries, then totally rebuilt in the 12th century. The mosaics date from the 12th or 13th centuries. Those behind the altar are particularly intricate and stunning. They spared no gold!
It was a glorious ending to our vacation in Italy!
