Mozzarella Cheese, Pizza and Limoncello at La Sorgente in Sorrento
Mozzarella Cheese, Pizza and Limoncello at La Sorgente in Sorrento
Mozzarella Cheese, Pizza and Limoncello at La Sorgente in Sorrento
WJ Tested: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade Tour: Sorrento Evening Optional Excursion to Agriturismo La Sorgente
For those who think exploring with an organized tour doesn’t let you rub elbows with the locals, think again. The Sorrento Evening optional tour on Insight Vacations Italian Escapade itinerary definitely made us feel like part of the family! This was available to us the first night in Sorrento and all who participated were grinning from ear to ear throughout the evening.
The tour started with our group gathering at 5:30 PM in the hotel lobby and from there we strolled (15 minutes) to the outside of the walled pedestrian area of the old town to meet our driver, Alberto, with the coach to take us on the approximate 12-minute drive up the hillside to our dinner-experience destination.
Rosa explains how Maria makes mozzarella and ricotta
Our dinner was at a family farm, Agriturismo La Sorgente (owned by the third generation of the family Marciano), in the hills above Sorrento. Upon entering the acreage, we passed cows in a corral and geese in pens… all in the shade of lemon trees. Olive, orange, mandarin and walnut trees also dotted the property. Shortly, we met Rosa, the English-speaking owner of the farm. Smiling and delighted to see us, she shared with us the history of this family enterprise. It was very cool to see the antique olive press contraption with woven baskets. It certainly felt like stepping back into time.
Maria’s freshly-made mozzarella
Rosa told us that they have 4 acres of lemon trees and make the best limoncello in Italy. They also produce their own house wines – which never make it to the bottle, as they are simply made and served. We would have the pleasure of enjoying both as the evening progressed.
Rosa led our group on into the property and talked about the glorious mozzarella which came from the cows we had first encountered. It was then that we met the ruddy-cheeked Maria who proceeded to demonstrate just how she made the mozzarella and ricotta. Definitely a pro, as she makes this every day of the year! Her strong arms attested to this fact.
Dining al fresco at Agriturismo La Sorgente in Sorrento
It was time for dinner and we scattered around several tables in the covered al fresco dining area. Floral aromas filled the air and the light was fantastic. Pitchers of red wine were accompanied by still water… for those non-(or non-honorary)Italians in the group!
Antipasto plate at Agriturismo La Sorgente in Sorrento
Dining at Agriturismo La Sorgente in Sorrento
Our dinner kicked off with an antipasto plate loaded with eggplant, pastrami, prosciutto, tomato, ricotta, buffalo mozzarella, olives, beans, frittata and complemented with bread and olive oil. To follow, came a penne with cream, zucchini and ricotta!
Olives grown at Agriturismo La Sorgente in Sorrento
Fresh ricotta at Agriturismo La Sorgente in Sorrento
Penne pasta with cream, zucchini and ricotta
Then it was time to get the group up and moving a bit before the next round. We were brought to the pizza cooking area for our next demonstration. Rosa and Maria asked for four volunteers to lead this effort – the two men from our group to volunteer were Ron and John who were immediately dubbed with their Italian monikers of Ronaldo and Giovanni.
Learning to make pizza from scratch at Agriturismo La Sorgente
Hilarity ensued as Rosa helped the volunteers from our group create pizzas and place the delicacies in the wood-burning oven. The comical aprons, with which they were surprised, only added to the laughter.
Volunteers are dressed with comical aprons
Insight Vacations guests learn to make pizza at Agriturismo La Sorgente
Back at our tables, we savored the delicious pizza creations, trying to save room for dessert. The limoncello pound cake put a whole new twist on decadence! Topped with a homemade lemon or orange marmalade and angels sang. We also sampled both lemon and cream limoncello.
Pizza is served at Agriturismo La Sorgente
Rosa pours samples of limoncello at La Sorgente
Beyond satisfied with the warm, family atmosphere and the scrumptious made-right-before-your-very-eyes food & drink, we said our goodbyes and made our way back to our waiting chariot (aka Insight motor coach) just before 9 PM and smiled all the way back to our Sorrento hotel.
Next… Isle of Capri
Previous: Insight Vacations Italian Escapade Tour – Tour Overview | Meet and Greet in Rome! | Rome with Local Historian | Skip the Lines – Vatican Museums | Siena | Florence & Michelangelo’s David | Florence to Pisa | Exploring Baveno and Stresa on Lake Maggiore | Prosecco at Fratelli Berlucchi Vineyard | Visiting the Medieval City of Verona | Venice and Hotel Carlton on the Grand Canal | Murano Glass and Venice Gondola Ride | Classe and Assisi | Assisi to Sorrento |
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Note: WAVEJourney were guests of Insight Vacations for their April 30 – May 12, 2013 Italian Escapade tour. Read our full disclosure statement to see that this has no effect on our reviews.
