Sorrento Itinerary

Roberta1

Hi All


Can anyone who has visited the Sorrento / Naples / Amalfi area help with a trip itinerary for me? We're going at the beginning of November (me and two teenagers).


We'll have four full days (including one Sunday) and one part day (till 2pm). We won't have a car but I've heard public transport should be fine.


I thought:
Day 1 - Pompeii
Day 2 - Vesuvius
Day 3 - Herculaneum
Day 4 - Boat Trip to Capri / grottos (this is a Sunday)
Day 5 (part day) - ??


Does that seem like too whirlwind a tour?! Will we have enough time to appreciate all those things or do we need longer?


I'm not sure if the boat trips to Capri and the grottos even run or are advisable at that time of year.


Are there any limitations on what we should do on the Sunday? Not sure how closed Italy is on Sundays these days.


Any ideas on what to do on the final (part) day?


Many thanks in advance for any help!
Roberta

Valli

Went last year and did a coach trip taking in both pompeii and Herculaneum in one day, they are so close together, Herculaneum is small anyway but well worth a visit as the buildings are more complete.
Plus, as you're using public transport that might make more sense. And you can get a ticket for both together iirc

peachyprice

Ercolano and Pomeii won't need a day each, you'll easily be able to do them the same day, they're very close together and the biggest hindrance to doing Pompeii in a decent time is the heat, which won't be a problem in November!!!

That will free up a day to go explore the Amalfi coast, you can get a but from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi and and from Amalfi you can get a bus up to Ravello.

As for the boat trip to Capri, they do run on a Sunday but I'm not so sure they will run in November, it's a bit out of season.

During the holiday season most places are usually open on a Sunday in the tourist towns, but perhaps not so in November.

maman

peachyprice wrote: »

That will free up a day to go explore the Amalfi coast, you can get a but from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi and and from Amalfi you can get a bus up to Ravello.

Agree you'll need to check out what's running in November as many tourist things stop with October half term.


Unless you're specifically going for archaeology and nothing else then I'd definitely suggest the trip along the Amalfi coast. We did public bus to Positano and then got a boat trip back.


Sorrento itself is pleasant. I enjoyed pottering round the town, visiting town museum, some churches and great restaurants. The Marina Grande s attractive too with its own little church and lovely seafood.


I went in the last week of October and weather was mild during the day. Any reason for leaving it until November?

TBagpuss

I disagree about how long you will want at Pompeii - I spent a full day there.

However, if you are staying in Sorrento you can take the train to Pompeii and then if you do only stay part of the day, you can get the train on to Herculaneum and/or visit the Villa Oplontis (smaller and much less crowded - I had it entirely to myself when I went)

Are you planning to visit Naples at all? The museum is good (and has many of the mosaics and frescos from Pompeii, not to mention an entire room full of phalluses and other items not suitable for the delicate eyes of Victorian Ladies!) - check the opening hours and days.

Capri - I visited the grotto - the visit isn't very long - the grotto is pretty but if you have limited time you may want to reconsider.

There are lots of Spas on the island and that might be something you fancy.

Sorrento itself is nice to wander around and there are a couple of small museums and churches, and lots of good restaurants

I didn't visit Vesuvius, so can't comment on that.

zagfles

TBagpuss wrote: »

I disagree about how long you will want at Pompeii - I spent a full day there.

Yup us too - it's really the highlight of the area so I'd allow a full day but it depends on your level of interest and what else you want to do. We had 10 days in the area.

However, if you are staying in Sorrento you can take the train to Pompeii and then if you do only stay part of the day, you can get the train on to Herculaneum and/or visit the Villa Oplontis (smaller and much less crowded - I had it entirely to myself when I went)

Yes and you can get a 3-site ticket for Pompeii, Herculanuem and Oplontis (also known as Villa Poppaea).

Are you planning to visit Naples at all? The museum is good (and has many of the mosaics and frescos from Pompeii, not to mention an entire room full of phalluses and other items not suitable for the delicate eyes of Victorian Ladies!) - check the opening hours and days.

:rotfl:yes this was hilarious! And make sure you have a proper Napoli pizza while there!

Capri - I visited the grotto - the visit isn't very long - the grotto is pretty but if you have limited time you may want to reconsider.

There are lots of Spas on the island and that might be something you fancy.

Sorrento itself is nice to wander around and there are a couple of small museums and churches, and lots of good restaurants

I didn't visit Vesuvius, so can't comment on that.

It's a long climb to see a big crater. No visible geological activity, not that we saw anyway, so personally I'd give it a miss on a short trip.

nickcc

We did Vesuvius on a coach tour some years ago. If you go wear good stout shoes as the climb to the top is on very rough ground. One of our party slipped and broke her leg which resulted in some of us having to stretcher her down as there were only the guides available, things may have improved nowadays but I don't think I'd go again. When you get to the top you can smell the sulphur and see some smoke but that's about it, mind you I don't suppose you'd want to be there if it started to erupt.
We included a visit to Ischia were we visited La Mortella gardens, home to the late William Walton and his Wife Lady Susanna Walton who gave a very interesting introduction ( now also deceased) a visit we thoroughly enjoyed.

peachyprice

TBagpuss wrote: »

I disagree about how long you will want at Pompeii - I spent a full day there.

Oh definitely in the summer when it's hot and busy, but in November, not so much.

Kynthia

I enjoyed going to the top of Vesuvius and I'm sure it will be a great memory for the teenagers. I found Capri pretty but a bit dull. I may have had sightseeing fatigue by then. I think a day or half a day off to potter around Sorrento and eat gelato by the sea would be nice. Also you should really drive along the Amalfi coast as it's one of the most beautiful sights in the world. We stopped off at Positano and Amalfi. As the others have said you can do this by public bus but I think the TripAdvisor forum has some details.