I departed Naples for Sant’Agnello, one stop from Sorrento on the Peninsula Sorrentina. My final stop on what has been an eye opening adventure for this country boy from Casterton, Australia. Once my few days here were over it would be time to leave Europe and head for the United Kingdom. It was an inevitable situation but try as I might I was doing everything possible to delay it. Still without a plane ticket to London and constantly trying to think of other things I could do to extend my stay all while not spending any more money.
The hot uncomfortable train ride was made bearable by watching the view pass me by as the train wound its way along the coastline. I could tell I should have skipped Naples altogether and been here sooner, the view was already amazing. Before long I was jumping off the train and off in search of my hostel.
Sant’Agnello is a quiet little place, away from the big tourist hotspot of Sorrento (but only just). Walking down to my hostel I couldn’t help but love everything that surrounded me. The narrow streets with trees that hung over the fences dropping their fruit to the footpath. An old lady minding her own business sweeping the path to her house like she must have done for years considering the state of her broom.
I had been searching for a place to end my journey and it was here that I think I found it. Checking into my hostel couldn’t have been anymore removed from everywhere else I had stayed to date. I felt like I was sitting in the foyer of a hotel not a backpacker hostel.
Behind me was the Bar, and not some half attempt at one this was a full on establishment with a booze collection that rivalled most of the places I used to frequent as a student when I was living in Melbourne. To my left the large double doors opened up into a tiled courtyard filled with chairs and tables that lead off to the accommodation, the restaurant kitchen, an internet cafe and the laundry facilities. Jealous yet? Well you should be this was a hotel in every sense of the word and I was in heaven.
Any hostel room fitted with 5 double bunks is normally cramped and leaving you fighting for space, damn I’ve had rooms with 3 double bunks that do that. In this room however, you could have easily stuffed another 5 bunks and I wouldn’t have been worried.
The final jewel to this crown was the amazing roof patio that spanned the entire roof area. With a view out across the Gulf of Naples where you could see Naples itself, it was clear as soon as I had found some food I was coming back to this spot to have a beer and soak up the warm breeze and stunning views.
Downstairs I quickly made friends with an aussie who checked in the same time as me and we headed to the main part of town to find some food. A look around revealed a cash machine, a few small stores, a supermarket and a couple of cafes, perfecto. After treating myself to a nice pizza and a long chat with a new mate I retreated to the hostel and it’s roof patio to relax and plan out my final days in Europe.
A couple of beers later I was joined by three other aussies who had all been here for a few days already. I think for the entire trip so far this was the first time I’d met so many countrymen in one spot, a completely different story to what I had expected and heard from other backpackers.
Our talking turned into drinking which turned into even more drinking. Stopping just long enough for a meal from the restaurant downstairs I learned about what there was to see and do, all while wishing I’d arrived when they did so I could have partied alongside them.
I don’t remember the time we all called it quits but I do remember thinking this is going to be one amazing place to finish my trip, I can just need to not wake up with a hangover and ruin my adventure to the Amalfi Coast.
that place looks awesome!
It makes you wonder why other hostels can be so crap when awesome things like this exist!
Totally agree Cailin. It cost me 27 Euro a night there and when you consider I paid 25 in Paris and almost 30 in Stockholm its leaps and bounds ahead in every department.
I hope I can get back there again this year because it was just amazing.
That roof looks incredible! Thanks for telling us about this hostel!
No problem guys, its a great little stop off.
Love that roof wow!
Andi I think this would be one Hostel you would stay at. It had private suites and all so not just rooms and rooms of bunk beds.
Beautiful indeed, I loved the whole region of Campania when I went. Unfortunately only once and way too long time ago!
Angela it sure is a beautiful part of Italy. I want to get back there again this year and enjoy it for a bit longer. It was just too much fun to only experience once.
Oh man, the Seven Hostel.. that was my favourite place when I was in Italy. It is like a hotel, and the staff are all awesome as well. Your post really makes me miss it.. I ended up staying there 8 days instead of the 2 I’d booked. It’s really nice to be a little bit out of Sorrento. One thing I did and completely recommend is hiring a scooter and riding up and down the Amalfi Coast. It was my first time on one and completely terrifying, but such a rush and the views are absolutely spectacular. Anyway, thanks for posting this, it brings back a lot of good memories!
How awesome is Seven Hostel Tom. I had only booked 2 days down there but ended up staying 5 I think it was all up.
I missed out on booking a scooter to see the Amalfi Coast and instead had to catch the local bus but hey it just gives me a reason to go back and try the scooter next time.
OK, its official I am heading back to Italy and soon! What a great hostel.
haha Mike I hear you, I’m going back as soon as I get the chance.
This is soo cool !! I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks so much for your photos! Good design!!