The
festival of Grapes is a cultural event that takes place in the early fall just
a thirty-minute shuttle ride from Piazza Laro in Sorrento. A completely outdoor
festival complete with wine tasting,
Italian festival foods and of course, live
music make it a season staple for locals as well as tourists.
Two new stories from Santa Anna Sorrento Lingue
by Shannon Devaney
Grape Festival in Sorrento
The light
display which I realized seems to be used at all local festivals lit the way
from the drop off point up the path to the festival entrance. It was there that
long tables filled with candy, cheese, meat and other festival goodies were
laid out for sale. A small table distributed samples of red wine from a plastic
jug, and a small group of young Italian children stomped on piles of grapes
that would later be used for making white wine, giggling the whole time.
Food was
also available. Up above the hustle and bustle of the festival grounds a
catering staff prepared one of two Panini’s for festival goers who bought a meal
ticket for 4 euros. Sandwich options included either a pork or sausage sandwich
with sauteed broccoli on top all on a think Italian roll. Though the line was
long, it was well worth it for the warm sandwich on such a chilly October
night.
Neapolitan
folk music was the highlight of the night for most guests. The excitement from
the band emanated through the audience as they played. The upbeat songs and
interactive band members who went into the audience brought a personal lively
twist to the show.
Fall is
certainly overtaking Sorrento and everyone in town is loving it. Free festivals, delicious food, great music, what else
could you ask for? Fall in Sorrento truly is wonderful!
I’ve
been told more than once that late summer/early autumn in Sorrento is the
height of tourist season. The small side streets as well as the main street are
constantly cluttered with tourists and the occasional local. When spending the
day shopping in Sorrento there was one very important thing I realized. No one
knows exactly where he or she is going or exactly what he or she or she is
looking for. Everyone is content to wander the small side streets looking at
scarves, oils, toys, fruits and vegetables and so on, spending their
morning/afternoon going into tiny shops, try free samples of food and drink,
and really living in the southern Italian culture.
Shops
are filled with souvenirs such as paintings, wine, ceramics, clothing, Italian
leather bags and other accessories. Most shops are packed with these items and
therefore can keep you busy all afternoon going from one to the next. Prices
also vary depending on where you buy things and how much of something you buy.
My personal favorite thing that is sold in many small shops on the small side
streets of Sorrento are the oils. Olive oil, balsamic oil, lemon or citrus oil,
garlic oil, the list goes on and on.
One small shop I found on my shopping
adventure yesterday was soaps and candles. Lemon scented ones seemed to be the
most popular while there were other citrus scents available. These candles and
soaps would be the perfect take home gift. They are solid (no need to worry
about the liquid constrictions when flying back home, they are light so they
won’t weigh down your suitcase very much, and they are small, so they won’t
take up much space in your bag.
All of these are positive aspects of bringing
home candles, soaps or other body care products sold and made in Sorrento that
can truly embody the essence of being here and experiencing the lively
atmosphere of life in Sorrento.
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