Ben

We understand the Sorrento area is not the best of places to be driving your own rental car. Also is the area safe for travelers. We anticipated going to that area in Oct. of this year and would be driving from Rome. Should we reconsider and just take a tour bus from Rome for the day or what would be a good alternative? We were going to stay in that area for three days and two nights.

Thanks,

Ben

Mary Piazza

We were in Sorrento last October with a group of family and friends. First of all, the town is so small that we walked everywhere. Our hotel was a ten minute walk beyond the center of town. Streets are narrow and parking is non-existant so if you bring a car, it will end up parked at the hotel. The most memorable part of the trip for us was the drive along the Amalfi Coast - don't miss it. We hired a small mini-bus with driver for our group of 12 people and spent the entire day in Positano, Amalfi and Ravenna. We had a great lunch in Ravenna at Cumpa Cosimo where Netta, the owner, served us personally. She is something out of an Italian movie! When we got back to the hotel, we all agreed we were thankful we didn't have to drive that narrow, serpentine road ourselves! You can do it, but you can't drive and look at the same time, In Sorrento, we had a nice dinner at a small restaurant called Gato Nero. Don't miss having the local liquor - Limoncella - and be sure to drink it chilled. In three weeks we are off to Venice. Been there? If so, any tips? Buon Viaggio a Sorrento.

Barbara

Ben, Mary's advice is not bad, but the town she told you about is Ravello, not Ravenna. The restaurant Cumpa' Cosimo is a wonderful experience. We have driven around the Amalfi Coast a lot. It is not for the faint-hearted, but in October, traffic is much lighter than in high season. We have not ever stayed in Sorrento, preferring to be more centralized in Positano. See as many of the coastal towns as time allows. It's spectacular. Buon Viaggio!

Mary

My husband and I spent a week in Sorrento and LOVED it. I agree with the advice about not driving. There is no where to park your car and the streets are very narrow. We too walked everywhere, we took the boat to the Isle of Capri and there were plenty of bus tours for the other places (i.e., pompeii, Amalfi Coast, etc.) We felt VERY safe in Sorrento. There was a shuttle bus from the hotel that went into the little village. OUr hotel was up on the hill. The walk was very doable, but the shuttle was available if you aren't up to it (it's very hilly in Sorrento). We went to the village day and night and never had any problem whatsoever. Everyone spoke english and was very friendly. Enjoy yourselve, we sure did!!

Jane

Looking forward to visiting Sorrento in August. Your advice is appreciated. Is casual clothing okay? Are the evenings cooler near the end of August? Thanks for any info!

Dayle

I was lucky to travel to Italy 2 years ago. We were there in late March. Venice was clean and empty. Stayed at Albergo Paganelli about 2 blocks down from Piazza San Marco. Charming and old! Amalfi Coast was fantastic!!! Met lots of lovely people, traveled by train and bus and got to enjoy awesome scenery. Stayed in Praiano (SP?) . Small and beautiful.

joelle

Just came back from Sorrento that we reached driving down from Rome (two hours on the motorway and 45 mn along the coastal road). Driving was ok but you have to be careful as people tend not to respect traffic lights and stop signs... Traffic jams in Sorrento can be bad. Our hotel had a large parking area, so we could easily park our car and walk around Sorrento. The Amalfi coast is a wonderful area and Pompei was very interesting to visit.

Alicia

I spent 4 days in Sorrento last October. We took the train from Rome to Naples and then the local train called the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Sorrento is totally safe, as we were two women together and never felt threatened walking to town late in the evening. We stayed at a small hotel on the road out of town.

I personally wouldn't recommend driving in southern Italy. Most of the other Americans we ran into who rented cars, got into accidents. There roads around the coast are very narrow and extremely winding. There is regular bus service along the coast between the towns. Another alternative is the ferry service which connects the towns and islands as well as to Naples.

Enjoy.
Alicia

marilyn

Hi Ben, We just got back from Sorrento and loved it. We flew into Naples from Milan. I would suggest you take the train from Rome to Naples.
We took the train from Naples to Rome. Anyway if you take the train into Naples buy a ticket in the train station for the Circumvencia (sp) train to Sorrento. After you purchase your ticket go down stairs of the main train station - that is where the local train to Sorrento leaves from. There is a time schedule for the train. The train takes about 1 hour and is just fine. The cost was about $8.00 each way. Sorrento is a resort area - relaxing with a million little shops. The food was great and the prices much lower than in Northern Italy. We found the people delightful. None of the hotels are to far from the train station so a cab will only cost a few dollars. I highly recommend you stay a few days. If you have the time go to Capri - unfortunately this trip we didn't get to go as the water was to rough and the boats wouldn't go. We take a great tour to the Amalfi Coast. It's just beautiful - spent a few hours in Amalfi - it's so charming. You can drive it yourself but you would be missing out seeing the coast. The road is like the road to Hana in Maui -all curvy. It was a great day. we also went to the Herculean Ruins. We took the local train to that also. Pompeii is closer from Sorrento but much larger. so unless your are really into ruins Herculean was just fine and every one told us that it is better preserved. Be sure to try the ice cream. Have a great trip.