cindyjo

2nd time for this question and hoping someone has some experience with the topic.

Leaving Abruzzo and driving to Sorrento for 2 nights. Then one week in Praiano.

We are staying in Sorrento to 1). See Sorrento (don't expect to be there again) 2) An easier trip to Pompeii which is a priority.

Is there any benefit to take more time driving from Abruzzo (Bugnaro, near Sulmona) to spend those 2 nights in transit, interesting towns, sights, agriturismos, etc. This would eliminate our stop in Sorrento and would mean a trip by bus or rental car to pompeii from Praiano.

This is the only iffy part of our plan and would appreciate any thoughts.

Jean

What time of year is your trip?

Since Pompeii is a priority and is much easier to reach from Sorrento, keep those two nights in Sorrento and also visit the archeology museum in Naples. (The museum would be a long day trip from Praiano.) There's not a lot to 'see' in Sorrento, but the views of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples are worth a visit and it's a good base for things on that side of the Sorrentine Peninsula.

In the drive from Sulmona to Sorrento, you could stop at Caserta and see a little of the royal palace.

http://www.reggiadicaserta.benicultu...lish/index.htm

madamtrashheap

I too would advise keeping the time in Sorrento as planned. While there's not a lot to see in Sorrento itself, it is still a good town to use as a base, and many a fine meal (and gelato!) can be found there. As you plan to visit Pompei on your full day in Sorrento, perhaps taking too much of your time to get there from Sulmona wouldn't be advisable as you won't see much of Sorrento, but certainly a stop in either Caserta or earlier at Cassino (if you want to trek up to the Monastery on Monte Cassino and are into St Benedict) would be an option and wouldn't eat into time in Sorrento that afternoon/evening. The drive from Bugnara/Sulmona to Sorrento direct is under 4hrs. Going to Cassino would involve a detour from the most direct route, however. Or, tying in with the Pompei theme, you could tackle the drive up Vesuvius if you're interested. The drive up once you've exited the motorway takes around 30-45mins, depending on what you encounter along the way (tour busses, other cars, cyclists, goat herds!). From the parking, the walk to the summit takes only 5-10mins, but take a walking stick/pole as the surface is hard to get traction on. Otherwise, the suggested visit to the Archaeological Museum in Naples (after Pompei would be best) is a good one. Take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei and to Naples - easier than driving in Naples, yikes!