Cantina di Vesuvio: A Fun Winery Lunch After Pompeii

16/01/202631/07/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

On the heels of my post about the wonderful Le Vigne di Raito in Raito, Italy, this post details our experience at another winery we visited on our trip to the Amalfi Coast, Cantina del Vesuvio Winery! We visited Cantina del Vesuvio after a full morning exploring Pompeii with a private guide and after hectic and crowded Pompeii, Cantina del Vesuvio was a welcome retreat away from the crowds, complete with delicious food and a decent amount of wine. I certainly recommend a visit after Pompeii.

Umbrella pine trees at Cantina del Vesuvio winery on Mount Vesuvius

Cantina del Vesuvio. I love these trees.

Cantina del Vesuvio Winery is literally located on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius (or Monte Vesuvio in Italian), hence the name. Given its location, the winery offers beautiful views, including of Sorrento and the Gulf of Naples and of Mount Vesuvius. We drove about 20 minutes from Pompeii to Cantina del Vesuvio, arriving slightly early for our pre-booked tasting and lunch (there is free parking on site!). And yes, a tour and lunch is the standard package. Its reasonably priced and easy to reserve online. And on that note, reservations are required, but I don’t think you need to make them too far in advance.

Cantina del Vesuvio.

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Le Vigne di Raito: A Special Wine Pairing Dinner Overlooking The Salerno Gulf

13/01/202631/07/2026wareontheglobe 1 Comment

The group celebrating a birthday at Le Vigne di Raito

On our second evening in Raito, Italy (read about our whole experience here and here), we booked a very special dinner for our friend’s milestone birthday. While Raito is simply tiny without much to do aside from its sweeping views of the Salerno Gulf, Raito is home to one of only two wineries on the Amalfi Coast. And, one of them, Le Vigne di Raito, happens to be located only a five minute walk from our hotel, Hotel Raito!

At Le Vigne di Raito winery overlooking the Gulf of Salerno

Dan and I at Le Vigne di Raito.

Le Vigne di Raito is a boutique organic vineyard, founded by owner Patrizia Malanga in 2001. Specializing largely in red wines, Le Vigne di Raito priduces two flagship wines – the Ragis red and Vitamenia rose. Le Vigne di Raito also offers winery tours and tasting to the public, as well as specialty dining experiences, including that paired with lunch or dinner, a cooking or pizza making course, and picnics in the vineyard.

Le Vigne di Raito.

Grapes at Le Vigne di Raito.

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Hotel Raito – A Magical Amalfi Weekend Away From The Crowds!

09/01/202631/07/2026wareontheglobe 1 Comment

If you read my latest post, you know that the first proper stop on our big Italian family vacation in 2025 was in Raito, Italy, which is located just above Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi Coast. Very swoon. And, we stayed at the absolute loveliest hotel, Hotel Raito. This post describes our wonderful time at Hotel Raito and provides a detailed review of our stay!

The view of the Gulf of Salerno from a Deluxe Sea View room at Hotel Raito

View from Room 514 (Deluxe Sea View room).

Sunrise over the Gulf of Salerno from Hotel Raito on the Amalfi Coast

The sunrise at Hotel Raito. I’m not a morning person, but this was worth waking up to see.

Pros of Hotel Raito: Absolutely amazing views, stunning pool, our balcony was gorgeous, did not feel insanely crowded, on site parking lot.

Cons of Hotel Raito: A bit pricey, not within walking distance to much, quiet at night, some parts are a bit dated.

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Raito, Italia: The Perfect Amalfi Getaway!

06/01/202603/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

Raito, Italy is a gorgeous, albeit tiny, village perched high above the Amalfi Coast, almost directly overlooking Vietri sul Mare. It also happened to be the first proper stop on our big Italian family vacation in late September 2025. We selected it, honestly, for one reason: its charming hotel with stunning views of Vietri sul Mare, Salerno and its sweeping Gulf. In this post, I’ll share how we and our friends’ family spent 3 unforgettable days in Raito, from what we did and where we ate to the hidden gems that made this quiet hilltop village so magical.

Sunrise over the Gulf of Salerno from Hotel Raito in Raito, Italy

Beautiful sunrise from Hotel Raito, Italia.

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Lillie’s Victorian Establishment: One of the Best Christmas Bars in NYC!

02/12/202527/08/2026wareontheglobe Leave a comment

The Christmas decorated interior of Lillie's Victorian Establishment, Union Square

It’s Christmas in New York City, and time to review another one of my favorite holiday spots in New York City – Lillie’s Victorian Establishment! Lillie’s is one of those over-the-top Christmassey bars/restaurants, where everyone wants an Instagram picture. This post details a visit to Lillie’s Victorian around the holidays and how to get inside, even without a reservation!

The decorated Christmas window at Lillie's Victorian Establishment in Union Square, NYC

Lillie’s Victorian Establishment decorated for Christmas. Even if you cannot get inside, this window at the Union Square location is a fantastic spot for a photograph (there may be a line).

Christmas decorations at Lillie's Victorian Establishment, Union Square

Very fun decorations at the Union Square location starting mid-November.

With two locations, Lillie’s Victorian Establishment is a year-round Victorian-era British Pub named for late British actress Lillie Langtry. The restaurant’s namesake immigrated from Britain to the US in 1882. Her acting debut, at the New York Theatre, resulted in the building burning to the ground, leaving only a sign reading Lillie Langtry. Very interesting story. In any case, for your purposes, Lillie’s is most famous for its elaborate Christmas decorations, which go up in mid-November.