Sorrento Travel Forum

Hi,
I plan on visiting this June. I will be spending 3 weeks.
I am intrested in finding fun and safe things to do while there. Any ideas??

Thanks! Gina

Sorrento is a perfectly safe place, with excellent public transport links. Not much in the way of beaches, although there are small stretches of sand at both harbour areas (Marina Grande and Marina Piccola).

I've just returned from my second visit. The VT Sorrento pages have lots of information, photos and tips on things to do/see. Mine is here:

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/73696/22b9b/

You can (and should) easily visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and other ancient Roman sites using the Circumvesuviana train (frequent and cheap). My pages on these places have info, and the train timetables can be found here:

http://www.vesuviana.it/web/en

The line runs from Sorrento to Naples, and you could also spend a few days exploring Naples' museums, churches and markets as well as perhaps visiting the volcanic Campo Flegrei on its outskirts. There are several places along the line which worth an hour or so's visit: Vico Equense, Castellamare de Stabiae (villas), Torre Annunziata (the superb Villa Poppea) etc.

You could take a tour up Vesuvius, and nip over to Capri by ferry or hydrofoil. You can also get ferries to other islands, such as Ischia, and to Naples and the Amalfi/ Bay of Naples coastal towns.

http://www.capri.net/en/ship-timetable
http://www.metrodelmare.com/

There are plenty of local buses up into the hills around Sorrento, where you can explore smaller villages such as Sant'Agata sui due Golfi. You'll find bus timetables in the 'bus station' outside Sorrento's Circuvesuviana station. From there you can also take a bus all the ay along the Amalfi coast road (a superb trip with stunning views), and can explore Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and so on.

Bus timetable here under 'Quadro 15':

http://www.sitabus.it/wps/portal/OrariCampania

You could also visit places further afield simply by taking the Circumvesuviana to Napoli Centrale (about an hour) then getting an onward train. Even a day visit to Rome is feasible (there are two daily buses to/from Rome as well). www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html will give you train times, fares and details in English.

You certainly won't be bored and, as I said, Sorrento is a safe place to base yourself.

Gina -

There is a lot to do and see in italy - a country full of great food,and a culture and history that is unmatched in my opinion.

i have been to italy several times, and will return this march after being there last summer.

With so much time, it is important to find a home base - perhaps a villa for a time so you do not have to constantly pack and unpack

I would recommend visiting the sites here, or getting a travel book or videos such as Rick Steves - practical tips, itineraries, and tips on what to see - you might consider taking a cooking class - it was fun. we were also able to visit a winery and i will return to visit my friend mauro and stay with him - by the way the cooking school was around $125 and the wine tour was free - so if money is a consideration pick and choose how you do things by networking

Last summer - we stayed in Lake Como, went on to a villa near Florence where we stayed 7 days - we visited Siena,Lucca, Pisa, and Cinque Terra (awesome)- we could take a bus daily to avoid driving. Do you plan on renting a car or relying on trains? that might help you decide whether to stay in the city (closer to trains) than outside (driving necessary)

We then went to Verona and stayed - visited Venice, Mantua, Vincenza. Verona has a good feel and is easy to get around - cities in italy are easily navigable.

Everything is about 2 hours - that is the major cities - distance from rome to florence 2 hours for example.

There is a great deal to see, however it cannot be done on one trip - three weeks will give you plenty of time to tour and relax - some days it is just nice to sit by the pool - it is hot in June - and go out to dinner late.

Let me know where you are flying into and where you are thinking about staying? i have some places to consider.

Dan