Italy is one of my favorite countries in the world. It has sentimental value to me because that is the first place I went after I quit my job at E! for 5 years, to take the risk of starting my own brand and build an empire. I bought a one-way ticket to Naples and never looked back.
This was last summer, and since then its been a year with lots of traveling, grinding and no sleep. It’s been challenging but I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. I had ups and downs and times where I felt extremely discouraged but knew I had to keep going. It’s been a monumental year with my growth as a brand, and although I haven’t reached my full potential or anywhere near where I want to be yet, I know I made the right decision and am headed in the right direction. I hope people will soon see my overall mission, and respect my movement.
I recently came out with my own swim line and it has been doing amazing which I am grateful for. I named my classic one piece I designed “ONE-WAY TO ITALY” because of the one-way ticket I bought last summer. I named each swim suit with a different travel destination that meant something to me. I wanted to shoot part of my recently released nude collection somewhere special, so I thought Italy and the Amalfi Coast would be perfect.
I went with photographer and good friend Solmaz Saberi. We had the best time traveling with our oversized luggage on countless cobble stoned streets, rushing to make each train and flight by the skin of our teeth, an indulging in pizza, pasta and gelato everyday. We barely slept but it was exhilarating and so much fun. So many obstacles and things can go wrong when you travel and you just have to be able to laugh it off. We were good at doing that.
On this trip we only did Rome for a day and the Amalfi Coast. We split our time between Positano, Capri and Sorrento. Positano is my favorite and Sorrento I really liked as well. Capri is a must-see, but in my opinion too touristy and bougie. There are lots of beautiful boutiques and expensive designer stores, but that’s not really what I’m into when I travel. I like being where the locals are and I might be the only girl that hates shopping, I’d rather eat.
There are so many beautiful places to stay on the Amalfi Coast. If you are visiting Positano, make sure you stay somewhere in Positano not in Sorrento or too much on the outskirts. If you find a place in Positano, there is no bad location. Positano is small and you can walk mostly everywhere. Keep in mind that July and August is peak season so most places are sold out or expensive during the summer months. It is better to travel off season right before or after summer. Last summer all the hotels and villas were booked up so I stayed in an AirBnB, which isn’t a bad idea if you are on a budget. There are options if you go that route, just make sure you find a place in Positano and not in a town around it because it’s inconvenient to go back and forth.
I am going back to Italy in a few weeks for a job and will be visiting Positano, Tuscany and Florence. I’m so excited to be back again! I will do write up’s on where I stayed because they are amazing places 🙂
For nightlife in Positano, Music on the Rocks is a fun club to go to right on top of the water Also Franco’s next to Le Sirenuse is great for drinks at sunset.
Below are my pictures from this past trip. Check my Instagram to see more (www.instagram.com/NicoleIsaacs), and stay tuned for my Italy travel video as well coming soon xx
ROME
WHERE TO STAY: There are countless hotel options in Rome. The area I would suggest to stay in is near the Spanish Steps. It’s a great location in the heart of the city walking distance from all the main landmarks- Spanish Steps, Fountain of Trevi, Colosseum, The Vatican etc.
POSITANO
CAPRI
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