Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1198098
93 93 style at a long table with a pale blue tablecloth and white china overlooking the sea. Plate after plate arrives from the kitchen: fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, green olives, and heaps of spaghetti and zucchini topped with fresh basil. This spaghetti dish was created by founder Maria Grazia and passed down through generations—it is simple but exquisite. Falanghina wine flows freely while Guido describes his childhood growing up on the Amalfi Coast and the history of his famous hotel. He shares that it was built on the ruins of Roman emperor Augustus's villa; a series of tunnels still run beneath. Satiated and even more intrigued, we hop on the boat and return to our ultra-luxe accommodations. A quick elevator ride brings us from the port directly back to the hotel. The afternoon is spent touring and shopping in town with Lidia. She shares some of her favorite boutiques selling everything from handmade sandals to the region's lemon liqueur, limoncello. Back at the hotel's champagne garden, we talk about the day under the wisteria-laden pergola as the sun begins to set. Before heading to dinner, I wander around the hotel's ancient grounds, taking in the Mediterranean plants and citrus and olive groves and soaking in the beauty. The hotel's interiors parallel the surrounding grounds and gardens. Its 18th-century columns, frescoed ceilings, and antiques mirror the region's unsurpassed history and sophistication. I join my new friends at the Michelin-starred Terrazza Bosquet, helmed by chef Antonino Montefusco, whose regional and Mediterranean cuisine incorporates fresh, local produce—even a variety of citrus fruits from the hotel's orange grove. The presentation of each dish is divine. We are fortunate to have Guido and Ornella join us for the evening and learn more about the hotel's iconic guests: poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, German composer Richard Wagner, and Italian opera singer Enrico Caruso, who achieved fame at the turn of the 20th century. The hotel still keeps the Caruso Suite, where the singer spent many months, decorated in Victorian fashion. I can hear "O Sole Mio" when I tour the famous suite—an homage to this great Italian talent. The next morning after breakfast, we head to the little square of Termini in the small village of Massa Lubrense for a guided hike of Monte San Costanzo. Vegetation sprouts from the rocky terrain and our guide points out tiny blue flowers called Lithodora rosmarinifolia, a common plant of the Sorrento peninsula. We continue our journey to the eastern peak and the small chapel of San Costanzo, which dates back to the 16th century. The hike is a must for any trip to the region; seeing the landscape up close with views out to Capri is otherworldly and well worth the exertion. After this glorious walk, I head back to the hotel's Boutique Spa La Serra for a signature massage and facial. The experience is the ultimate in wellness and relaxation—and much needed after the coastal walk. After enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace of my two-story suite overlooking the sea, I head to Ristorante Museo Caruso—literally a shrine to the great tenor—where I indulge in delicious Mediterranean and Neapolitan flavors. Caruso serenades in the background. It's the perfect way to end my trip to such a memorable destination. OPPOSITE PAGE: Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria offers breathtaking views from its luxurious guest rooms. The pool is the perfect spot to relax after a day of hiking. THIS PAGE: The hotel overlooks Mount Vesuvius. Below, is the relaxing spa. Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento exvitt.it