1st trip to Italy Florence Rome Sorrento Capri - advice needed

Here we go:

Even before we get to #1: Land in Rome, immediately get a train to Florence. It won't take long, and will cut out a move. You have too many moves for 11 days.

1. I think a car is a liability. You can get a train from Florence to Naples, where you will switch to a connecting train to Sorrento.

2. Positano: prettier. Sorrento: better transport connections and "more" of everything.

3. You could certainly do a daytrip, but we loved staying in Capri. We stayed in Capri Town, and your other choice is Anacapri. If you like more restaurants and nightlife, then Capri Town is the better choice. But food and drink are very expensive in Capri.

I loved Capri for hiking. Strenuous but such beauty. The other big activity is shopping.

4. There are direct ferries from Capri to Naples. You don't need any car service.

5. May is early for beaches. Italy isn't the best beach country, and this part of Italy doesn't really have good beaches. In Capri, there are a couple of tiny beaches that are hard to access, and as I said, May is a little early. Last May, beaches were empty, and there were a few people at pools. I didn't see anyone in the water.

Positano has a smallish rocky beach.

I don't know about Sorrento beaches. Considering the topography of Sorrento, I kind of doubt that there are beaches.

Reconsider your destinations if swimming and beaching is important. The latitude of Sorrento/Capri/Positano is about the same as New York City.

Dear E,
My husband & I did a similar trip several yrs ago. My first reaction to your list of questions is this: How much homework have you done about these areas? Reading? DVDs? There are excellent guide books available to answer many of your questions, which are dependent on your unique personalities and travel goals. We found the train from Rome to Naples pleasant and comfortable and low on the stress meter. We took a water taxi to Sorrento and spent three wonderful days there, enjoying it so much, we opted not to go to Capri. Most people we met prior to the trip made Capri a day-visit. Sorrento was easy to walk or get a taxi or bus. We stayed at a hotel that had a private beach, so not certain what the public beach situation would be. Great restaurants along the coast line. We would return to Sorrento. What do you want to do in Florence for two nights? The museums are superb, but may not be on your agenda. Hope you can take some time to do a bit of research on this agenda. Travel is an investment of mind and heart.

I can't answer all of your questions but I don't think you will want a car in sorrento. I would definitely take the train from Florence to Sorrento. I am not sure if 2 nights in Capri is a good idea. I like the idea of going to Rome at the beginning and end. Keep in mind the first day won't have much value due to jet lag. Buon Viaggio.

Although Florence is one of my favorite Italian cities, I'd drop it from this trip.

Hi ebe,

A car will be more of a liability than a help.

I agree that you should go directly to Florence upon arrival.

If you want swimming, I think that staying in Ischia would be better than staying on Capri.

There are ferries and hydrofoils from Naples to Capri and to Ischia.

Since it's a b'day trip, you might want to have a limo collect you at Naples Centrale and take you to your hotel (about 95E) instead of schlepping luggage on the Circumvesuviana.

Enjoy your visit.

There are rocky beaches/coves near Sorrento and on Capri.

There are also beaches with some sand on the Amalfi Coast in towns like Amalfi, Atrani, etc.

You might think about swapping Sorrento for one of those towns; you can visit Pompeii from Amalfi, for example. Or Positano. That trip would just add an extra bus ride in each direction; not a deal breaker.

I thought the weather was too cold for swimming in early May last year. There were only a few swimmers at that time. But later in the month you should have a much better chance.

Thank you so much for the responses! Why do you think we should go straight to Florence from Rome and not do a stop over in Rome?

<Why do you think we should go straight to Florence from Rome and not do a stop over in Rome?>

No sense in splitting up your time in Rome - it is too much of a hassle, especially for your first visit when you'll want to get out and see everything! As soon as you are settled in, you would be moving again. Tack those 2 days from the beginning onto the end.

I would train to Florence, spend your 2 nights, then train to Naples. Have a driver pick you up and take you to Sorrento. If you are going to Capri, definitely stay at least one night - I wouldn't do it just for the day. Afterward, ferry to Naples and grab a taxi to the train station. Train to Rome for your last 4 nights.

<<Why do you think we should go straight to Florence from Rome and not do a stop over in Rome?>>

Every time you move from one hotel to another you will waste at least a half a day if not more doing so. No need to waste this time, plus then you will have more days in a row to settle in and enjoy Rome.

Is is easy to go directly to Florence when arriving at FCO airport in Rome. Just take the Leonardo Express shuttle train from FCO to Roma Termini, about 30 minutes. From there, take your train to Florence (Firenze SMN), about 90 minutes. Buy the tickets for both trains at the FCO train station to save time.

My husband and I did a similar trip last October and it was our favorite European trip of many. I too think you have too many places and too many hotel moves to maximise your vacation. I too would forget Florence. We flew into Rome and spent 3 days, 2 nightsthere. Rome is full of so much to do, but it's dirty and big city. It's a whole different experience down south! We took the IC train to Naples, made a very easy transfer in Naples to the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento and used Sorrento as a base for the rest of our trip. We took day trips back to Naples, Amalfi, Positano, Atrani, Pompeii, and Capri, using trains, bussess and hydrofoils. We loved Capri, but It's so touristy and crowded, I don't know about staying there. If your already in Sorrento, I would stay there and visit Capri by Hydrofoil. You have absolutely no need for a car in Italy. The Amalfi Coast Highway I would not reccommend to anyone anyway. It is not for the feint of heart even to be a passenger in a car on this highway. Very narrow and very curvy and Italians think nothing of scraping sideview mirrors of passing cars and busses. Also, Many hotels charge parking fees don't forget. Public transportation from Sorrento to all these places is easy and endless! Although I do not reccommend cabs in Italy! I heard so many horror stories from tourists who had been totally taken advantage of! Trains, ferries, hydrofoils, busses will take you to everywhere you want to go. Also, Amalfi and Atrani have some beach area, but not much. Sorrento really has no beach but many hotels have pools. Capri has some beach area, but again crowds may limit you. As for nightlife, Sorrento doesn't have much to speak of, I'm not sure any of these small towns on the Amalfi coast have much. It's all quiet, relaxing, but I was there in October, summer could be different. But I'm not into the night life so I'm not one to give advice in that area. I spent weeks working up an itenerary that was invaluable. I had other tourists asking to make copies of it because it was so helpful. E-mail me if you want a copy, I'm happy to share it.

I also advise going directly to Florence. You will be tired anyway, will be going to Florence anyway, so might as well spend those first hours on the train and wake up the next morning in Florence, rested and ready to walk. Otherwise, you spend them in Rome getting settled in, only to repeat it again later. When you do get to Rome at the end of your trip, you can really settle in for the whole time.

Nightlife isn't the big thing on the AC. In Sorrento, you will have a bit more. When things close, it is pretty quiet though. There are a couple of clubs with bands, including the Foreigner's Club. I don't remember the name of the other one, but know there is one - heard the band playing several times.

I would take the train from Rome to florence and then to Sorrento.I would stay there , not at positano 8it's nice but expensive). From sorrento you would have the possibility to visit all the locations you want - it's the best central position!
I would make a day trip to Capri - not stay there a nigth - probably thibk about a private guide to show you the island!
Then in an other Full Day excursions i would visit the amalfi coast (Positano, Amalfi...it's sooo beautiful there)
If time I would also make an Excursion to Pompei + Mt esuvious. If not you could rent a car with driver for the Transfer and include a stop on the way to naples or Rome at your departure or arrival-could be the best way- the ruins are on the way!( a good private driver is Giuseppe De Toro- he could help you for Excursions + Transfers)
if you want to stay near a nice beah I would not stay in sorrento, but a little outside- Nerano is really nice(Punta Campanella Resort, Casale Villarena)Alo termini is nice- Gocce Di Capri- with nice Pool-view to capri!. In Sorrento there is a beach, but it's beside the big port- so I would not swimm there!!

"We loved Capri, but It's so touristy and crowded, I don't know about staying there." The point of staying the night is that it's a great deal less crowded after the day trippers get on the ferry back to the mainland. I loved Capri, but I'm sure I wouldn't have if I'd only day tripped. See my TR for things to do on Capri: http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/more-graffitii-than-garbage---report-from-s-italy.cfm?31

smabshire - WOULD YOU PLEASE EMAIL ME THE ITINERARY???
malvarez730@juno.com

smabshire would you please post your itinerary?

smabshire - "IC train to Naples" - Why did you chose the slower IC train to Naples?

There are beaches in Sorrento.
http://www.sorrentoinfo.com/en/22/4/directory/beaches-and-bathing-establishments/

Photos of beach at Meta:

http://www.sorrentovacanze.it/luoghi/spiaggia_meta_di_sorrento

Note / Request to Snabshire:
I would love to get a copy of that Italy itinirary that you put together. I am going to Italy in October - flying into Rome and staying 8 nights. Hoping to go to Sorrento / Positano. my email is patriciamgarcia7@yahoo.com thanks!

I also would like to have a copy of smabshire,s 1st. Trip to Italy . Can someone please tell me how to make email contact with another member. cravenco@xtra.co.nz

We are travelling to Venize from Paris in September, then by train to Florence and have booked 6 days in Sorrento in October. Does anyone know if there is a direct rail to Sorrento or is this through Naples?

To go by train to Sorrento you have to get off in Naples, head down to the basement and transfer to the other train line, Circumvesuviana, which ends at Sorrento. It is well marked and on your far left forward as you exit the train. I was warned, but didn't listen, and overpacked by a long shot - it is tiring to get heavy luggage up stairwells (ok, that was on the Paris RER, and apartments in Paris and Rome), onto to the train, and up in the luggage rack.

Don't hold your breath waiting for a copy of smabshire's itinerary. That poster joined in March of 2009, posted one message and has not been heard from since.

Hi,thanks for both those helpful replys. I'm still trying to plan 4 days in Ireland, there's too much to see. Options seem to be an overnight rail excursion of which there are several. Irish Tourism are also offering FREE rail travel in the Republic for seniors (66 plus) in 2010 and also discounts on the excursions. Maybe a hire car would give more scope.
I guess one could spend all the time in Dublin which has a wealth of history.

Dear Smabshire, we are doing similar trip in April 2011 and would love your detailed itinerary! Would you mind emailing to me at denisemadden1@gmail.com ?? Thank you so much!

Definitely go directly to Florence when you first arrive. It makes a lot of sense to combine your Rome time at the end.

Then take the train to Naples and the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Sorrento is an ideal place to stay if you're visiting Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. And while it does not have a booming night life, evenings are pleasant and you have many good restaurants to choose from.

We just took a very similar trip. We stayed on Capri for 3 nights - it is a very different place in the late afternoon and evening once the day-trippers have departed. We absolutely loved it, more than the Amalfi Coast. We stayed at a charming hotel, the Villa Sarah. I highly recommend it.

Dear Smabshire, we are doing similar trip in Dec 2010 and would love your detailed itinerary! Would you mind emailing to me at samir.bhatnagar@gmail.com ?? Would really appreciate it..thanks!!

Dear Smabshire, Would also love to get your itenerary! If you don't mind, could you kindly send it to inachemicalworld@gmail.com? Many thanks!!!

I would be surprised if smabshire e-mailed an itinerary to anyone on this thread. This was their only post on Fodor's ever and it was two years ago.

My wife and I are trying to plan a trip similar to this one. I noticed "smabshire" may have an itinerary that she shared with you. Did anyone get that itinerary? Would you please share that with my wife and I if you did receive a copy or post it on here? Thanks!