Hi, <BR> <BR>We're planning on heading south of Rome for 3 days. Our main aim is to visit Pompeii and Heculaneum. We would also like to visit the Archeological Museum in Naples. <BR> <BR>Where would you recommend we make our base? Naples or Sorrento? Naples seems logical, but Sorrento sounds like a great place. Out of three days, we've devoted a day to Pompeii and 1/2 of another to Heculaneum. <BR> <BR>Suggestions would be helpful. <BR> <BR>Thank you. <BR> <BR>amanda <BR> <BR> <BR>

Amanda, this isn't even close. <BR>Pick Sorrento. Aside of the fact it is a lovely little town and very easy to get around and far more tourist friendly, and Naples is a big not very pretty city best remembered for giving us the fabulous Sophia Loren, but little else, Sorrento is really the gateway to Pompeii and Herculaneum, and even better, the not to be missed Amalfi Coast and its fabulous communities, all a cheap, easy bus trip away from Sorrento. And you should not forget the Isle of Capri, just down the coast a half hour by ferry from the cliffs at Sorrento. Just skip the blue grotto, a tourist trap, and take in the beauty and atmosphere of Capri, by itself. Also, while the archaeological museum in Naples is well worth the trip if you have the time to include it you must recognize that visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum is in itself a visit to a prime archaelogical site. While there is certainly something to be said about the things you find in museums -- you will find the household and personal items that cannot be seen in situ at the ruins, and while I love to see these things especially the jewellery, my personal opinion is the ruins are where it is at. Close your eyes, then open them to the vista around you and you will see the world as it existed two millenia ago. It can be a breathtaking experience. In addition, Sorrento gives you the ease of visiting these glorious ruins at the same time as it gives you the possibility of visiting one of the most beautiful coastal areas of Italy, in my view, an absolutely unbeatable combination of past and present to make your holiday totally memorable. <BR> <BR>Do enjoy -- and by the way, when you get to Pompeii and Herculaneum, do not be too fast buying your guide books to the site. At the entrace of each are multiple vendors pushing the same guide books. They are not far apart, perhaps 100 metres, but the price varies by as much as half depending on whether you buy from the first vendor your see who is always the most expensive, or whether you pass a half dozen vendors and check their prices for the same guide before you buy. <BR> <BR>Do enjoy. Both Pompeii and Herculaneum are magic, with my vote going to Herculaneum as the first choice. <BR> <BR>Lanny <BR>

Hi Amanda, <BR>Can't really comment on Naples. We stayed in Sorrento two years ago and found it to be a great big town/little city. It was easy to access Pompeii and although we did not make it there, I assume Herculaneum would also be easy. Sorrento offered us easy access, an easy town to move around in, great food and nice people. Hopefully someone will advise you on Naples directly--------but Sorrento also offers you a view of Versuvius across the bay which is not be beat!!!!!!!

Hi Amanda, <BR> <BR>I think it's a tough choice. Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri are certainly beautiful and relaxing. Naples is not relaxing - but I loved it! I wasn't expecting much since I had always been warned about crime, etc. (even though I live in New York City!! LOL) But I was so pleasantly surprised. I heard that lots of money was poured into making Naples a great and safe place for tourists and that was certainly my experience. Naples to me is a very earthy - the food is wonderful and the people are pasionate. We stayed is a little hotel on the harbor, overlooking Vesuvius (the Miramare)- and I would recommend staying at some hotel on the harbor. If you want more info on Naples, let me know. <BR> <BR>This is a difficult decision - it depends on what kind of experience you want... <BR> <BR>And I heartily agree that Pompeii is absolutely fascinating. <BR> <BR>have a great trip. <BR> <BR>Dona

I was kind of afraid for my safety in Naples. I guess the area around the train station isn't very good, but we didn't go through the hassle of seeing more of the city. <BR>i agree with Lanny, stay in Sorrento. It's really cute and you can get a place with a spectacular view of the Bay of Naples. It's a good base for Pompei (which we loved) and I would imagine Herculaneum too (didn't have time, although I would love to go there!). We also spent a day on Capri and another day up and down the Amalfi coast. Unfortunately, many of the artifacts from Pompei are in museums in Naples, but i would still not recommend staying there.

Jeanie - what a shame you got no further than the train station. That is the worst area IMO and once away from that the rest of the city is not nearly so bad. I stayed on the waterfront at Santa Lucia. There is so much to see in Naples and I only had two days, but I really enjoyed it. The people were very friendly, esp. in the side streets around Via Toledo. The Arch. Mus. was great (I'm an ex student of archaeology and ancient history so to see the originals was FAB). I also stayed at Sorrento (at Excelsior Vittoria Hotel) for 4 days and can also heartily recommend it. Sorrento is not as manic and crowded as Naples (apart from the hordes of English pensioners!) and, as was mentioned above, a great base for the Amalfi Coast and its gorgeous towns such as Ravello (my favourite), Positano and Amalfi. Capri and Ischia are very different in feel but well worth visiting from either Naples or Sorrento. All things considered, if you aren't seeing the Amalfi Coast IMO Naples would be the better base.

Naples is dirty, big and industrial, Sorrento is quite nice but the real places to see in the area are Capri and Ravello. Capri - very beautiful and cosmopolitan, Ravello very quiet, no tourists and breathtaking scenery. Pompeii is definately a day trip, no need to spend the night after you have seen the ruins <BR> <BR>Hope this helps

Hi Amanda <BR>Just returned from Italy...definitly stay in Sorrento. Easy access to Pompeii & Capri.

Sorrento is beautiful and alround of sunny disposition, near to Positano and Capri. Naples is crowded and impossible to navigate unless you love to drive wildly, as I do! Don't make the mistake of taking the inside coast roads to Naples -- it can take up about 4 hours as oppossed to the highway route of 1 hour.

Sorrento is beautiful and allround of sunny disposition, near to Positano and Capri. Naples is crowded and impossible to navigate unless you love to drive wildly, as I! Don't make the mistake of taking the inside coast roads to Naples -- it can take up about 4 frustrating hours as oppossed to the highway route of 1 hour.

I agree with staying in Sorrento, but don't be too down on Naples and certainly see the museum in Naples. Most of the artifacts from Pompeii have been moved there. It's just another big city where you need to keep you eyes open, but I don't find it any more difficult than Rome, even at the train station. We enjoyed Herculaneum even more than Pompeii, but be sure to see both.

Strongly suggest you stay in Sorrento. Visit Naples museum and Herculaneum by car in one day (museum first to get an overview of the treasures), Pompeii another (exceptionally easy by train from Sorrento; station right at the entrance of Pompeii). The third day, go either to Capri (many ferries from Sorrento--easy) or the Amalfi Drive (at least a 3 hour drive to whiz past the minimum high spots; a full day to at least taste a bit of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello--go back by the highway). Wish you had another day. <BR>Sorrento is liveliest in the evening, and you can stroll and shop without fear of crime. Wonderful restaurants too. By staying there, you get the best of both day and night, and the best hub-and-spoke efficiency.

<BR>hi amanda--my wife and i found naples dirty and crowded. sorrento was much slower and had more charm. if you get the chance take the trip to capri and take the chairlift to the top for a super view.