A balcony directly above the sea; you can imagine yourself on a Mediterranean cruise. But 20 steps down you can dive right into the blue-green sea.

Stella is situated in the riviera residential area of San Montano, a suburb of Sorrento. A path starts at the beach and follows the coast for about a kilometer leading straight to the little fishing village of Marina della Lobra where you will find a bar and a food shop.

Stella is accessed down 60 steps through a tunnel that starts in the parking area and ends at the sea. Stella is partway down the sea access for three other apartments.

To arrive at Stella, you drive from the North/South highway, past Naples and along the first part of the winding, cliff-edge Amalfi Coast Drive through and past Sorrento. A curving road leads down from the Amalfi Coast road past a number of villas. Stella is at the end of the road, as close to the sea as one can get here.

From the apartment there are 20 steps down to the water where there is a sun bathing platform, toilet, shower and a ladder down into the clear, blue-green water.

A grounds man puts out lounge chairs and umbrella.

There are some break waters (see photos) to calm the waters close to shore and a jetty where you can bring in a boat. You may hire a boat to take you out on the water and to the islands of Capri and Ischia and it can pick you up here.

The glory of this apartment are the large picture windows and balcony beyond that open directly onto the Mediterranean and a direct view of the fabled island of Capri.

The tasteful furnishings are casual rattan with blue striped ticking for a bright, clean feeling. The living room is separate from the cosy bedroom. Charming touches like pieces of ancient architecture serve as night stands. The living room has a sofa bed that sleeps one person.

Modern conveniences include air-conditioning and washing-machine.

A balcony directly above the sea; you can imagine yourself on a Mediterranean cruise. But 20 steps down you can dive right into the blue-green sea.