Wander to Sorrento for Capodanno – New Year’s Eve Italian style

It was this time last year that I was giddy with anticipation to visit Sorrento for Capodanno, the Italian New Year’s Eve.  This year I am staying closer to home but my heart and my dreams are back on the Amalfi Coast.  If you are a single woman looking to start your new year in paradise then Sorrento and the surrounding towns are a perfect slice of heaven on Earth.

At this time of year you are all but forced to fly into Rome and then head south by plane, train or car because off-season flights between the United States and Naples are very limited.  That should not deter you, however, as there are many car services which will come and retrieve you at Fiumicino Airport, or make the drive yourself if you are an intrepid driver and ready to take on life in the fast lane in Italy.

Make sure you book yourself a room with a view of the Bay of Naples.  I promise you that the fireworks over the Bay on Capodanno are unparalleled.  It looks like London during the blitz.  It brightens the night sky for hours and energizes the usually relaxed coastline.  As a NYC reporter, I have covered the Macy’s July 4th fireworks spectacular many, many times and they pale in comparison to Capodanno along the Amalfi Coast.  OK, OK, maybe the Bay of Naples is a lot more romantic than the East River, but I’m telling you they are fantabulous.

Capodanno in Piazza Tasso, Sorrento, Italy

By the way, if you rent a car and dare to drive La Costiera Amalfitana at night, there is more magic along your route.  There are presepis (nativities) placed along the craggy cliffside and lit by candles each night during the Christmas season.  On a road with no light other than the stars and these presepi, it takes your breath away.  I cannot imagine the dedication and love of each person who lights these scenes every night but I thank each and every one of them.

My friend Laura over at Ciao Amalfi promises to write more about them as she experiences her first Christmas and Capodanno in Amalfi.   Also check out Giuseppe DeToro if you need to book a private tour or airport transfer.

There are organized festivities in your typical area hotels like the Hilton and Crowne Plaza and there are also nightclubs with Capodanno galas if you want to dance the night away with the locals, such as Club Seven in Sant’Agnello and Fauno Bar in downtown Sorrento.  No matter what you do, be prepared that the amateur fireworks continue well into the wee hours, so sleep is not an option.  Just bring your happy face and dancing shoes.

When it’s all over and your ears still echo with cries of “auguri, auguri,” you will find the cities and villages rather desolate the morning after.  The tourists, even the Italians, all check out of the hotels by noon the next day and the locals just stay home.  It is the perfect day to cruise the coast without much traffic to get in your way.  However, avoid Capri like the plague because it’s basically a ghost town at this time of year and there is not much to do once you arrive on the island.

I wish you all the healthiest, happiest and most prosperous of New Years.  Tanti Auguri!