Sorrento as a day trip?

Sorrento was one of my least favorite places to visit of all the places I've been in Italy - just way too touristy without much payoff (Rome, Florence, and Venice are very touristy too but there is SOOOO much to see and do in all of those places to make it worthwhile to put up with). Sorrento was a convenient base from which to visit Pompeii, but I wished afterward I'd stayed in Naples (where I enjoyed an afternoon) instead of staying in Sorrento. Live and learn. Then again, I'm sure some tourists love Sorrento. Wait for a variety of people to weigh in here with their opinions or search the forums here for more info about Sorrento.

I think if you want to do day trips from Rome, there are other places people would recommend instead. (e.g. Assisi). You can also do great day trips from Venice and Florence. (Siena is a delightful old town that's an easy day trip from Florence.)

The Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast is so beautiful, if it were me, I would take a day from Florence and a day from Rome, go straight to the AC from Florence and spend two days in Sorrento. Though not actually on the AC, I would base in Sorrento for ease of getting there.

I would also consider taking a late afternoon train from Venice on the 4th, arriving just in time for a late dinner in Florence. You would still have had three nights in Venice to wander in the evening, but not miss any sight seeing time in Florence during the day on the 5th.

Head to Sorrento early morning of the 9th. Spend the 10th & 11th on the AC.

Head to Rome early on the 12th.

I assume you are taking day trips from Florence. If not, I would take another day from Florence and add it to Rome. I would not give up day trips to Siena or Lucca, etc. to do that though.

You can do the math to find out how long it take to get there from Rome.

Roma Termini-Napoli Centrale: www.trenitalia.com FRECCIAROSSA, 70 min.
Say take 7:35-8:45 train, the first fast train of the day.

Then Napoli Garibaldi-Sorrento: www.vesuviana.it/web/en, 66min,
9:11-10:17.

So you are looking at just short of 3hrs one way. This is just to Sorrento.

From Sorrento to Positano by bus is another 50min, but the bus does not run that often. Amalfi is 50 min further. It is very difficult to do this by bus and make it back the same day to Roma. Another way is to hire a taxi from Napoli and do all by taxi. You are probably looking at 300-400EU range for such a trip.

If you do Capri, I have read someone do this, but very very difficult to combine with Sorrento. You go straight to Capri from Napoli.

Pompeii is the easiest of the bunch, but you again would skip Sorrento.

If you don't like these tight schedules, stay several nights in Sorrento after Florence as recommended above.

I liked Sorrento but I think it's much too far for a day trip and with only 5 days in Rome it's a shame to leave the city unless you go someplace just outside Rome that is close and easy to get to.

I enjoyed Sorrento, but I agree that it's too far to go for a day trip. Unless you are using Florence as a base to explore Tuscany, you could easily take a couple of days from Florence and add them to Sorrento and allow more time there.

There is nothing particularly special about Sorrento from a daytripper's perspective. Ok, there is a great view of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius but after that I fail to see a rationale for spending an entire day getting there and back from Rome. That does not mean it is not a pleasant place to spend a few days in a hotel, using the city as a base for the surrounding area. But if you are determined to take time away from a short stay in Rome there are other more worthy destinations, in my opinion. You can get an lovely view of the same Bay from the city of Naples and that is an easier daytrip from Rome.

Why don't you fly home from Naples after an overnight in the area if you are determined to add it to your plan.

You could also take a(n) (expensive) bus daytrip from Rome to Capri, although that would not be my own choice:

http://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Capri-Day-Trip-from-Rome/d511-2390GRET14


Or to Positano and Pompeii:
http://www.viator.com/tours/Rome/Pompeii-and-Amalfi-Coast-Small-Group-Day-Trip-from-Rome/d511-2635POM

Hi,

I am new on this, and was wondering if anyone could help me?

I have booked a break to Italy from UK for me and my husband as a suprise in September. I arrive in Naples aroud 10:30 on 30th Sept and i plan on getting the train to Rome as soon as i land and then spending 2 nights in rome, i then want to get the train back to Naples, then travel to Sorrento were i plan on staying for 3 nights...

do you think this is too much to fit in with only being there 5 nights?

Thanks

amanda

amanda - you're only giving Rome a day and 2 nights - not much time. What will you do in Sorrento that rates several days there. With 5 nights (4 days by the time you get the train) I would concentrate my time in either Rome or Sorrento. Not combine the 2 places.

adrienne,

thanks for the info, i do understand that by the time i actually got to Rome from Naples it would use most of the day and i would only end up having 1 day in Rome really before travelling bac to Naples.

I booked return flights to Naples as i wasnt to stay in Sorrento and visit Pompeii and also see a bit of the amalfi coast, but my husband has never been to Rome and when i realised that it was only 1.10min away on the train i thought it would be good to visit for 2 nights,but now i am having doubts as the return trains will add upto be quite pricey and i will only have most prob 1.5 days there.

I dont know what to do.

Do you think 5 days in Sorrento is too long?

thanks

Sorrento's way too Eastbourne for me to want so long there, but - like that resort - many thousands return year after year.... each to their own!

You'll find that there's loads to see and do in this area, and could fill all 5 days very easily.....

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/tele

But if Rome is still on the cards then I'd suggest doing as we tend to, from here on Ischia, and halving the train fare with an Intercity, instead of the FrecciaRossa?

It's for the wrong direction, but this may give you an idea of how the cost varies:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/141306520

"Base" is the normal walk-in-and-buy-one ticket, whilst the "Mini" is an advance purchase offer - about which you may have read by now.... good for the trip back perhaps - though not ideal for your arrival day, unless leaving a safety gap for flight delays!

(Note also the infrequent, slow, but great value Regionale - at just €10.50)

Difficult; the trip's certainly doable - and Rome's by far my favourite city....

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/lazio

... but maybe leave it for another time - and instead perhaps have 2 nights in Sorrento (handy for Pompei, Herculaneum, Capri and Naples) and use the opportunity to spend the rest where there's a decent beach?

In the main it's still very nice here in October!

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/recoct

Peter

IMHO Sorrento is not a place to visit - ti's a place to visit places from. We have stayed there a couple of times - and it's apleasant city with a goo location for visiting Capri, Pompei and ahte Amalfi Coast. Frankly - you could get there and back to Rome in a day - but you wouldn't see the places that you go there for.

With only 6 days in Rome I would stay there. If you want to go to Sorrento you need, IMHO, at least 2 nights - 1 full day and halves of 2 other days there - to be able to see any of the local sights that people go there for.

I think you need to make a hard decision as to what you what to see/do the most.

Thanks for the advice A_Brit_In_Ischia &
nytraveler i do think i have alot of thinking to do, i know he definately wants to go and see Pompeii and Herculaneum and i would like to go to Capri and maybe visit Positano if it was possible, thats why i was thinking of Sorrento as its easy to visit these places from there.

I would like to go to Rome but i am flying to Naples and flying from Naples home so it would cost me alot of money to travel to naples then to rome for a few nights then back to naples to fly home and the flight home is early of a morning so if i stayed in Rome for the 5 nights i would have to leave the night before & stay in Naples to ensure i could get the early flight home.

I didnt know what the weather would be like in Oct thats why i werrent sure on a beach holiday and was looking more at the city types... however if i was to do sorrento for 2 nights or maybe 3 and 2/3 in another place... what kind of places are there near Naples/Sorrento? Are there any nice little villages, or places with a nice habour? i just want to make sure that wereever i stay that it is easy enough to get to Naples for the early return flight home on the Friday 5th Oct.

thanks for your help everyone

okay, so I'm going on this trip and we decided to stay 2 nights instead of a day trip....where is best to stay? Sorrento, Positano, Pompei, or Naples (we can use public trans or get a car?)

junno1, this trip = mirta's trip?
WHERE you stay depends on WHAT you are doing for a short stay like this.

Sorrento is a base for Pompeii, Capri, and Amalfi Coast. It has good selection of places to stay, places to eat, and good transportation to all directions. It is devoid of "chaos" you see in Napoli. However, it in self lacks major attractions.
Positano is more of a destination on Amalfi Coast. You can visit Amalfi or Ravello. Capri is easy only when Positano-Capri boat is running. Pompeii is tougher from Positano. It is also the most time consuming one to arrive to and to get out from.
Pompeii is a base if Pompeii is your only destination.
Napoli is a base for Pompeii and Capri. Also Napoli is a fascinating dynamic city in itself if you can look beyond its chaotic appearance.

I believe someone did already say.... "Jnunno - you will get more responses if you start your own thread" ?

Not only that, you'd also save a lot of confusion from people talking at cross-purposes!

But, for so short a visit, presumably mostly spent out and about, Sorrento is likely to be the most convenient base - for both its position and transport links...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/132567370

What's available by sea varies quite a bit by time of season (?????), and from year to year, however you'll find the 2011 offerings described here...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g187782-i162-k4360137-Daytrips_by_sea_along_the_Amalfi_Coast-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

Peter

Oops... to be fair, that same advice might well be offered to all claim-jumpers!

Amanda, I'll post in the new thread you've opened, and leave this one for replies to its OP...

Peter

There seem to be 3 different posters asking questions on this thread. Mirta (the OP) has probably long sense given up. I suggest that amanda and junno (who may be traveling with the OP) start new threads.

Sorrento is pleasant but I would never, repeat NEVER, take two full days from Rome when you have only 5, to visit Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. There is so much more to see and do in Rome than can be done in 5 days. We didn't visit the Amalfi Coast until our 7th trip to Italy and probably won't go back.

Sorrento is a few hours from Rome so a day trip is not necessarily that good. Sorrento is a wonderful place - My last three trips have been to Sorrento - we just love it there. It is a great place to stay, relax, eat, shop and walk and from there you can easily access Capri, Amalfi, Positano, Ischia, and Naples by boat from the harbor there. The scenery and atmosphere there are wonderful. Don't miss it!

i think i will travel to Sorrento as planned and do Rome another time when i have more time to see moer of it. Thanks for the information and help.

I think i will book 2 nights in Ishcia and 3 nights in sorrento that way they are close together and within easy reach to Pompeii and other parts of the Amalfi coast.

thanks

Hello everyone... Yes Jnunno and I will be traveling together.
We finally finished up our itinerary for trip...
Here is what we have booked already.

Leave USA (3-20) arrive next day (3-21) at 7 PM in Venice (not counting this as a day one)
spend day 1-4 (3/22-25)in Venice
Leave early morning on the 5th day (3-26) to Florence
spend day 5-9 (3/26-30) in Florence
Leave early morning on the 10th day (3/31) to Sorrento
spend day 10-12 (3/31-4/2) in Sorrento
Leave in the evening day 12 (4/2) to Rome
spend day 13-15 (4/3-5) in Rome
Leave day 16 (4-6) to USA from Rome morning flight

What do you guys think?

I think it sounds perfect - 3 to 4 days in each place gives you the opportunity to get to see the sights and also affords you, if you choose to, spend a day in each of those places just hanging out to absorb the culture of the place. To me all of the museums and churches, etc. are wonderful, but the real memories are made while having a wonderful meal or sitting at an outside cafe people watching, or just walking and discovering something unexpected. Have a wonderful and safe trip!

Mirta & Jnunno - glad we got that sorted! A nice mix you've picked, and indeed not too rushed a schedule!

Now stop looking, before tempted into adding...

Have a great time, and give Ischia a wave at sunset!
Peter

Ischia... sorry for making post my post long with soo many question and confusing?
Have you been to any these places and do you have any suggestions to see besides the touristy spots?

No! It was your thread to do with as you pleased - I was foolishly unaware that the persistent interloper wasn't that at all!

Anyway, I can certainly help with some of your destinations!

It's a long time since we were in Venice and Florence, but we've been going to Rome for 15 years now - and have lived on Ischia, which faces Sorrento across the Bay of Naples since 2003...

For the capital, you might start from the various itineraries offered by the tourist board - here:

http://www.turismoroma.it/itinerari?lang=en

... although we've enjoyed several of the themed walks in a leaflet they produced some years ago, which is still available from:

Selected walks through Rome
http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/77.pdf

These other two are good as well...
Rome - the culture of water: aqueducts, fountains etc
http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/79.pdf

Villas of Ancient Rome
http://www.italiantouristoffice.se/sv/docs/80.pdf

If you'll be doing a lot of sightseeing whilst there, perhaps it would be convenient to get the 3 Day RomaPass...

http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2

We've used it on three trips now and, whilst not a big money-saver, have thought it worthwhile having!

Photos taken over the years....

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/lazio

So very many things to see, not just a "Top Ten" but 1000 small gems as well!

Campania next...
Peter

For our region then....

If you'll be based in Sorrento, there's a useful 'Travel Directory' to the various towns and villages along the both that side of the Peninsula and also the Amalfi Coast that you can download from the area's official tourism website, using...
http://www.costiera.it/images/pdf/TravelDirectory_En.pdf

(That's ready for an update, so do crosscheck any times, prices etc - and ignore all references to the 'Metro del Mare').

And this - "Discovering Vesuvius" - will tell you a bit more about the towns and villages around the volcano, where there's more to see than just the ruins of Pompei and Herculaneum...

http://www.costadelvesuvio.com/brocure.pdf

You won't have long, but just about any of these places could be done as a daytrip - some more easily than others!

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/tele

The exception, sadly, is likely to be our little island - to where the direct hydrofoil link from Sorrento usually doesn't begin until the start of April. The alternative route, going to Naples first and crossing from there, takes a while - and is a bit expensive too!

But as I said before, do look out for Ischia on the horizon when the sun sets, and give us a wave?

I can't promise though that it will be quite as lovely as the shot this photographer has managed to capture....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/valentinopane/2571295368/

Hope that's some assistance,
Peter