Aperativo at Sunset

Guest Blogger: Michael Mammele

The Relais Blue is a four-star hotel on the coast of Sorrento, with a breathtaking view of Capri, Ischia, and the Bay of Naples. Last Sunday, I was lucky enough to dine there for an aperitivo- An aperitivo consisting of appetizers, drinks, and an out of this world sunset.

We sat on a large terrace with rows of white rattan arm-chairs with small tables in front of them. Our view was impeccable, accentuated by an infinity effect because there were no railings in front of us, just glass. We felt so close to the water, yet we could see far out beyond Sorrento and towards the sun.

I was blown away immediately. I struggled for fifteen minutes to take a half-decent panoramic picture, something I can never quite seem to master, yet no matter how badly I botched them, the pictures were stunning.

We each ordered an aperol spritz with oranges, and started with some fried calamari and burger sliders. Next came two small pasta dishes-one with zucchini and the other linguine with carbonara sauce. Upon learning that carbonara sauce was just eggs, melted Parmesan cheese, and bits of bacon, I became excited to try and make this at home, because even a simpleton like myself should be able to manage to do so.

Watching the sunset is something that I don't do enough of, and I’m convinced that on this night, we had to have had one of the best views in all of the world, it was truly that amazing. The descending sun painted the sky with an unreal peach color. Cruise ships and small sport boats all slowed down to take in the view. To the hotel employees, I’m sure it was nothing new, but to myself and the other guests, it was a sight that no picture or world-renowned artist could quite capture.

The view, the company, and the food were easily 5 out of 5 stars. Stevie Wonder played softly in the background, allowing for a calm and tranquil vibe, as all the guests looked out into the abyss. No matter where each of us came from, we were all in awe of the view.

Boating Along the Amalfi Coast

Guest Blogger: Michael Mammele 

“Does it get any better than this?” That’s what one of the guests asked yesterday as he laid on the back of a 38-foot Itama boat, with sunglasses on, beer in hand, and a massive smile on his face. No one answered him because no one needed to; the answer was clearly, “No, it does not.”

Yesterday I had the chance to embark along the Amalfi Coast on one of our boats for the first time, something I’ve been chomping at the bit to do since January, when I learned I had the opportunity to join the Exclusive Cruises team. 

There’s something special about being on boats that is almost impossible to describe. Maybe it’s the breeze blowing in all directions, or the drop in your stomach each time you catch a bit of wake, or perhaps the sound of the motor cutting through the water. I’ve always loved boating, growing up on the Long Island sound where it’s quite popular, but something I had never done elsewhere. 

With a family of four on the boat, I tried my best to appear like I was an expert of the coast on the outside, but on the inside I was giddy like a kid on Christmas morning. We drove along the coast from Salerno all the way to Capri, examining crumbling towers, five-star hotels, and the naturally made limestone arches and rocks that decorated the waterfront. 

We examined cavities and caves in cliffs, with Valeria listing the various facts and notable sights. Francesco drove us through arches of rocks in Capri and around the Li Galli Islands, and backed the boat into grottos so the guests could swim through the illuminated areas. I wanted to jump in with them so badly, but had to restrain myself from doing so, reminding myself that while this may be a vacation, work comes first. 

For lunch, we stopped in Nerano at a restaurant called Maria Grazia and ate dish after dish that led up to pasta with zucchini, and melted parmesan cheese. The restaurant laid on a gorgeous beach, with the sun shining and reflecting off the turquoise water, only adding to what was an all around unbelievable day. 

Songs by Bob Marley and Dave Matthews accompanied us on this nearly 7-hour day, only allowing for a more relaxing vibe on the boat. On the ride back Francesco drove slowly along the coast so the guests could take in each feature and sight. 

I’ve been on family trips to places like St. Marten and St. Thomas, and always envied the Americans I saw there who were able to leave the constant movement and hectic life of America to come work in a more mellowed-out place. I’ve even questioned if that sort of thing was really the right gig for me. I’m unbelievably lucky to have this opportunity, and be able to have days where I can spend hours on a 38 foot luxury boat, speeding along one of the most beautifully decorated places in the world. What blows my mind is that I’ve only been here for one week. Hopefully, my return to the United States doesn’t creep up too quickly, as I truly feel at home in this stunning area of Italy.

Amalfi Coast Boat Rental

Sunday Dinner

Guest Post By: Michael Mammele

Today I experienced my first Sunday dinner in Italy, and it was one that I'm sure I will never forget. I knew that I was in for an immersing experience, being the only person at the table that could barely speak a word of Italian. Luckily with Valeria by my side as my personal translator, I was able to share the laughs and good spirits of the great company I was with, truly making me feel like I was family. 

The meal started with the “antipasto” portion; something to nibble on before the larger portions arrived. This consisted of fried dough balls stuffed with pancetta. It was unbelievable and left me curious as to know what was up next. 

Next up was the “primo,” or the appetizer portion. It consisted of crepes with ricotta cheese and cream sauce, as well as lasagna with meat sauce. I would not consider myself a picky eater, but at home I know what I like and what I do not. Usually I would take a bite or two of something unfamiliar and pretend that I enjoy it not to upset whoever was cooking. Today, however, I knew I better not let a crumb go to waste. The crepes were truly out of this world, and the cream sauce that came along with it added so much to each bite. The lasagna was the best I've had. I felt myself getting full already, not even realizing that there were three more courses to come. 

The second course is referred to as "the secondo," and consisted of meatballs, and chicken and veal cutlet. The food was non-stop. Once I finished each plate Francesco's mother Esther was right there with the next. I know better than to say anyone's meatballs are better than my own mother's, but these were absolutely incredible. 

The “contorno” is the fourth dish, translating loosely to the word, "contours," meaning vegetables that help shape the entire meal. It was a delicious salad with lemon, olive oil, and salt; relatively simple, and a great way to help wind down the experience. 

At last was the “dolce,” or dessert. Just take a look for yourself.

While the meal was unbelievable, what made this dinner an experience was the people I was with. Conversation was constant, everybody took a turn to pour some Ferrarelle (Italian sparkling water) and soccer was on the television. While I may not speak Italian, I didn't need to to feel like I was part of this family. The first thing Francesco's father said to me was to move my chair in closer to the table, making sure I was involved. Out of all the ingredients put into this exceptional meal, the most prominent one was clearly family. 

Today, I was most certainly family.