3days Sorrento/ 3daysPositano
Mar 21st, 2004, 01:48 PM
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3days Sorrento/ 3daysPositano
We have 3 days in Sorrento & 3 days in Positano in June. In a perfect world , how would you all spend your time (keeping in mind we are on a vacation)....We are traveling with our 13year old son. We are all well traveled and love it all !!!I would love to here your must do's...thanks in advance for all you advice.
Mar 21st, 2004, 06:27 PM
#2
I'll leave others to extol the virtues of Positano specifically... I'd explore several towns along the coast; there are differences and Positano is not everyone's favorite.
If you're into walking/hiking, there are many footpaths throughout the peninsula, connecting the towns, and providing some amazing views for hardy souls. Carry water.
From Sorrento, you must visit Pompeii and, if you find the place as fascinating as most people do, then you should also visit the archeological museum in Naples. You and your son might enjoy reading the recently published novel "Pompeii" to give you a preview.
I'd spend a day on Capri. You can buy a single-day bus pass and see a good part of the island; the rest you'll need to see by taxi or foot. From the town of Anacapri, you can ride a chair lift to the highest point on the island for a great view. There's a swimming pool, terrace and small cafe on the summit. There's a footpath back to Anacapri, or you can take the chair lift down. From one of the bus stops, you can walk down a short set of stairs to the opening of the Blue Grotto. If you're up for it, you can swim into the grotto. Just stay out of the way of the tour boats.
If you're into walking/hiking, there are many footpaths throughout the peninsula, connecting the towns, and providing some amazing views for hardy souls. Carry water.
From Sorrento, you must visit Pompeii and, if you find the place as fascinating as most people do, then you should also visit the archeological museum in Naples. You and your son might enjoy reading the recently published novel "Pompeii" to give you a preview.
I'd spend a day on Capri. You can buy a single-day bus pass and see a good part of the island; the rest you'll need to see by taxi or foot. From the town of Anacapri, you can ride a chair lift to the highest point on the island for a great view. There's a swimming pool, terrace and small cafe on the summit. There's a footpath back to Anacapri, or you can take the chair lift down. From one of the bus stops, you can walk down a short set of stairs to the opening of the Blue Grotto. If you're up for it, you can swim into the grotto. Just stay out of the way of the tour boats.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 03:01 PM
#3
Oops. Newport, I hope you're still checking in... I just remembered that the novel "Pompeii" includes several scenes of sexual activity that you might not want your son to read. Overall, I found the book very interesting in its descriptions of cities on the Bay of Naples (particularly Pompeii) and of the events surrounding the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. However, the sex bits are definitely for adult audiences. Please read the book and decide for yourself whether your son should read it as well.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 03:09 PM
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Hi new,
You might want to spend a day visiting Pompeii and Naples.
You could take the ferry to Salerno, the train to Paestum and visit the Greek ruins.
You could walk "The Pathway of the Gods".
You might want to spend a day visiting Pompeii and Naples.
You could take the ferry to Salerno, the train to Paestum and visit the Greek ruins.
You could walk "The Pathway of the Gods".
Mar 23rd, 2004, 07:15 PM
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Thanks so much for the advice. I am hooked...I spoke with a travel agent friend based in Rome that said we should bag Sorrento and stay in Positano the entire tiem as our base because of the on going tourists and tour buses...( in Positano they leave at the end of the day she said) any thoughts on her comments ? I am not convinced...Newport
Mar 23rd, 2004, 07:31 PM
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Positano is a magical small town in a spectacular setting, that is also centrally located for seeing the rest of the attractions on the coast. Will you have a car? This will increase the feasibility of basing yourself in Positano (although not impossible without one).
Don't miss Pompeii, Capri, and Ravello which are the top sights (along with Positano). Paestum was impressive, but consumed an entire day and the drive from Salerno to Paestum is uninteresting. (the Amalfi Drive east of Ravello gets less interesting pretty quickly too)
You'll find every town on the coast has its advocates...and everyone will argue that the true character of each town is best appreciated at night when the tourist traffic dies down. Therefore, you probably can't go wrong. Sorrento is a much bigger and more modern town with traffic lights and modern high-rises--personally I thought the other towns were a more unique place to stay You might want to consider one night on Capri which really is quite overwhelming during the day when it's most crowded.
Don't miss Pompeii, Capri, and Ravello which are the top sights (along with Positano). Paestum was impressive, but consumed an entire day and the drive from Salerno to Paestum is uninteresting. (the Amalfi Drive east of Ravello gets less interesting pretty quickly too)
You'll find every town on the coast has its advocates...and everyone will argue that the true character of each town is best appreciated at night when the tourist traffic dies down. Therefore, you probably can't go wrong. Sorrento is a much bigger and more modern town with traffic lights and modern high-rises--personally I thought the other towns were a more unique place to stay You might want to consider one night on Capri which really is quite overwhelming during the day when it's most crowded.
Mar 23rd, 2004, 07:43 PM
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Positano is not a good base from which to see Pompeii or Herculaneum (also excellent and complementary to Pompeii...it really provides a better sense of how ordinary people lived). So unless you are doing this on the way Positano you will miss this. Also, the ferry or hydrofoil to Capri is fast and regular from Sorrento. Not sure what the schedule is from Positano at this time of year.
Personally, I think 6 days at Positano is too much, unless you have already seen Capri, Pompeii and Herculaneum. You can do Paestum, Amalfi and Ravello, but the latter two are half-day excursions, and only Paestum is a "must-see" on this list. Yes, Sorrento is not as attractive as Positano (but it is attractive enough)...but it is a convenient base for seeing some sights that are extraordinary. I'd say you were on the right track the first time...Another option might be to spend those three days in Ravello instead of Positano (if you really want to get off the tourist trail.) And don't worry about the ancient porn murals in Pompeii-- they don't take you to them as part of a tour if there are kids along. (When I was there, you had to tip the guards to see them, and I don't think they would let kids in!)
Personally, I think 6 days at Positano is too much, unless you have already seen Capri, Pompeii and Herculaneum. You can do Paestum, Amalfi and Ravello, but the latter two are half-day excursions, and only Paestum is a "must-see" on this list. Yes, Sorrento is not as attractive as Positano (but it is attractive enough)...but it is a convenient base for seeing some sights that are extraordinary. I'd say you were on the right track the first time...Another option might be to spend those three days in Ravello instead of Positano (if you really want to get off the tourist trail.) And don't worry about the ancient porn murals in Pompeii-- they don't take you to them as part of a tour if there are kids along. (When I was there, you had to tip the guards to see them, and I don't think they would let kids in!)
