Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Trip Report 5 weeks in Italy, continued…Orvieto, Naples, Amalfi Coast, and back to Rome

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Gwendolyn, thank you! And I’m glad to know that my memory of the entry to the Blue Grotto is probably correct. It looked so small!

I had already decided we weren’t going to enter, but the decision was taken away as it was too choppy for any boats to go in that day, and with the in and off sun, I imagine it would’ve been somewhat uninspiring anyway.

We’ve never been to Switzerland- something tells me that the chair lift on Mount Pilates might be one I would pass on! Not a fan of heights with my legs dangling freely....😉

progol..the thought of a chair lift at Mount Pilatus !! Actually the trip up is first in small gondolas to a platform where there is a change to a larger gondola. I'm not sure how I survived ... trick was not to look down. -:)

We’ve never been to Switzerland- something tells me that the chair lift on Mount Pilates might be one I would pass on! Not a fan of heights with my legs dangling freely....😉>>

<<progol..the thought of a chair lift at Mount Pilatus !! Actually the trip up is first in small gondolas to a platform where there is a change to a larger gondola. I'm not sure how I survived ... trick was not to look down. -https://www.fodors.com/community/ima...ted/smiley.gif >>

Gwendolynn - if this is the one I'm thinking of, the trip we did was firstly by boat across Lake Luzern to the bottom of the rack railway, which then takes you up to the top of the mountain, and then you get a succession of ever smaller conveyances down the mountain - a large gondola, a small one, and finally the chair lift, and then after a short downhill walk, a bus back into town. And there was an optional toboggan ride too, about half way down. You can of course do it the other way round!

I'm enjoying riding along with you on your trip, Progol. Lots of lovely detail. Thank you!

Gwendolyn, thanks for the clarification. Even those gondolas are a bit nerve-wracking! But if something is enclosed, I suppose it feels nominally safer. I’ll keep it in mind if we ever get there.

annhig, your description of the trip sounds like quite the adventure!

Trophywife, I’m so glad you’re enjoying this!

More to come....

Don't want to hijack your thread anymore... but for some reason (it was a long time ago) we went up and back on the gondolas. annhig... I saw photos of that train... I think I'd have closed my eyes in some places !

Back to my favorite places on earth -:) Thanks again, progol.

<<Don't want to hijack your thread anymore... but for some reason (it was a long time ago) we went up and back on the gondolas. annhig... I saw photos of that train... I think I'd have closed my eyes in some places ! >>

Just a tiny bit more hijacking - the only thing that made me close my eyes on the way up was the way in which some fellow passengers were behaving; despite the clear notices saying "do not lean out of the windows" they kept doing it in order to take selfies and other photos and on several occasions came close to serious injury as we passed into various tunnels and got close to overhangs and trees. Apart from that it was lovely.

And the final "word" on this discussion, before I leave for our next stop ;)

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It was really not too bad - this is as we were returning to the base and getting lower. By this time, I was more relaxed and even moving a little! It did get higher off the ground than this, but it wasn't terribly high. Just high enough for me!

Sorrento

Ahh, Sorrento! After a watery departure from Capri, we arrived at the Marina Picoolo (port) under grey but dry skies. A short walk to the lift (1 Euro) and we’re in the center of town.

A10-minute walk took us to our B&B, Accademia 39, a lovely 6-bedroom guesthouse on Via Accademia, a street just off the main tourist streets. It was a great place to stay – for an expensive town, the rates were very reasonable, the location was perfect, the food was great, and the staff was as gracious and helpful as can be. Vittoria, the day manager and positively delightful host, baked many of the items served. Breakfast was a large spread as well as cooked-to-order items. It was a fantastic and I highly recommend it.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser..._Campania.html

Sorrento is definitely a busy tourist center, and in early October, it was hopping. I had debated about whether or not to stay in Sorrento, and I was happy with our decision. It’s a very pretty town with great views, is large enough and has enough sights and restaurants to keep us busy and sated, and is a great base to see Pompeii and the Amalfi coast towns. And the best pizza of our entire trip!

I had intended to have one day to explore Sorrento, one day to visit Positano and perhaps another coastal town, and one day for Pompeii. By the time we arrived in Sorrento, however, my poor foot was quite tender, so we ended up having 2 days taking it slow and easy in Sorrento. Despite the crowds in the main part of the town, we really did enjoy wandering Sorrento leisurely.

Rick Steves’ guidebook was perfectly suited for our stay in Sorrento. I’ve no qualms in saying that it gives a nice plan for a few days here and along the Amalfi Coast. I rarely use his guides for food recommendations, though he also recommends our favorite pizza place, Pizzeria da Franco on Corso Italia.

Mostly we strolled. We wandered down to the water and to the beautiful Marina Grande, passing through the Porta Marina Grande, the ancient Greek Gate, built in the 3rd century BC, and later incorporated into 16th C walls. The views as we walked down the steps toward the port were gorgeous.

We ate lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the water. While the meal was not memorable, the location couldn’t be beat.

We also visited the large and grand San Filippo and Giacomo Cathedral, with its charming nativity scene; and the Franciscan church and cloister by the Villa Communale park. There is a good photo exhibit off the cloister and its roof also has beautiful views. Well, there are beautiful views from everywhere near the water!

As in Naples, we took the circumvesuviana to Pompeii. A relatively easy train ride there and back, though we did run into more crowds on our return. We thought it might be easier to travel by train from Naples, though I’m not sure. It felt like we were waiting longer for a train, but it’s hard to know.

Pompeii to come...

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On the long stairway down to the Marina Grande

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Lunch by the sea!

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From the Gallery Raffaele Celentano, above the cloister of the San Francesco church

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The best pizza!

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It's very casual! Long tables, unfussy decor.

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Our favorite pizza of the trip - Pizzeria Da Franco, Corso Italia 265, Sorrento

Nice pictures of Sorrento progol. Too bad you sprained your ankle on Capri. That does give you some limitations.

What type of fish is that at your marina side lunch?! It looks like what we had in Corniglia long ago. Delicious! I was guessing fresh anchovies,but honestly didnt know. We still refer to them 20 years later as fish fries!

Thanks, Dayle! My foot healed enough to be able to manage Pompeii. I realized that a visit to Positano was not going to be a smart move and having a leisurely and relaxing visit in Sorrento was not the worst thing in the world! It really does remind me to slow down and we really enjoyed our time in Sorrento.

Yes, fried anchovies! At least, I'm pretty sure they were - I didn't take a single note on the entire trip! They were delicious, though.

Enjoying your excellent report and pictures. The plate of sardines (I think they are sardines) and the two pizzas made my mouth water. And the scenery is spectacular. What a great trip.

Dayle, I think John May be right.- sardines not anchovies!

John, thank you! It was a spectacular trip! So many sights, sites and tastes! And that pizza in Sorrento was up there! This may be sacrilegious, but we liked it more than the pizza we had in Naples.

Mmmmm; sardines. We had our fair share while in Naples and Procida. So simple, but so good. So sorry about your ankle, Progol, but I like you adjusted your plans and outlook.

Thanks, indyhiker!

Fortunately, the ankle didn't stop me but just slowed me down a bit. We managed Pompeii! With 5 weeks of travel, we had enough time to see pretty much most of what we wanted to see and even have time to relax. It really was a great trip (and I'm proud of my planning!).

Still following along! Love your photos of Sorrento! And you do have the right attitude about your injured ankle!