We are travelling to Italy this August (family of 7 with 5 kids between 16 and 7) - are flying into Rome and out of Milan and will be only using trains and buses. So far (although we can still change these days around) we are spending 4 nights in Rome / 5 night is Florence and 4 nights in Venice which leaves us with 5 nights in the Naples area. We are all very keen to see the area and obviously Pompeii but I am just wondering if Naples is the best option? Unfortunately apartments for 7 of us near Positano/Amalfi Coast are out of our budget for this trip and because we won't be driving, anything more affordable away from the coast seems tricky to get to etc. However we could stay in Sorrento.

I am liking what I am reading about Naples and would like kids to experience it - this is a different sort of holiday to our usual (gites for 2 weeks or camping through Europe - all by car, the kids have asked for what they consider a 'cultural' holiday rather than the full on activity ones that we usually have) but maybe I am being unrealistic about what they will enjoy in a city in summer and should look at Sorrento as an 'easier' option for them instead?

Any thoughts...

Sorrento will offer far more than a bigger city like Naples for your mixed age group. There are beaches, boat trips and all the things tou would expect from from a resort. However, it also gives great access to Naples and/or Pompeii for a day trip, via the Circumvesuviana rali line.

Going East, you could visit the Amalfi coast and see the towns of Positano, Amalfi etc. via the SITA bus.

I would not stay in Naples in August with several kids. Agree Sorrento has beaches and easy access to many of the major sites while not being a major city with mid-summer heat.

If you check now you should be able to find some budget accommodations.

Thank you - as I was writing out my question I was thinking that Sorrento is the sensible option! I have just done some more research and can see how we can travel easily from there to Naples for a day trip.

Sorrento is a lot quieter than hectic Naples, and the advantage of that is that you can let the kids off the leash with a lot less worry there - especially if they are not accustomed to an urban center.

As you have discovered transportation from Sorrento is well positioned for visits to both Pompeii and Herculaneum. As Rubicund indicated It is also well located to visit the Amalfi coast inexpensively on the local Sita bus. Try get seats on the right hand side of the bus it has the best views.
You can also visit Capri by ferry and if you have any interest in Greek temples you can book a tour group to Paestum that has three Greek temples at least as well preserved as what you will see on the Acropolis.
Here are our images of Sorrento and the day trips.
Sorrento http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7634654031558/

Have you laid out your itinerary allowing transportation time? You'll need at least one night in Milan before your departure.

Florence will probably be of lesser interest to your kids. Maybe do daytrips to places like Pisa (by train), Lucca (by train), Siena (by bus).

Thanks again. Our flight from Milan (to the UK) is not until 17.30 so decided that we would take the train from Venice early that morning and lunch in Milan and then take a train/bus to the airport - I am thinking that is doable? We are only travelling with small daypacks so moving around a city with luggage not too much of a problem.

I agree Florence is probably more suited to 4 nights (we are planning on visiting Siena at least) and therefore we will increase Sorrento to 6 nights - which hopefully will give us a chance to visit Paestrum - our boys in particular are mad on ancient history so they will love this.

Will look into the Sita bus!

You may want to check www.summerinitaly.com for apartments on the Amalfi Coast. We found them to be excellent. Especially if you email with your budget and requirements.

I think Sorrento would be a good choice for your family. We were there during October a couple of years ago and I enjoyed watching so many families out for the evening passagiata.

I also noticed lots of students taking the train back and forth to school, but you won't see that in August It seemed to me more like a well functioning town than only a tourist destination,if you know what I mean. Have a great trip. Deborah

What is your budget for accommodations? I'd take a closer look at renting a house. The money you save on eating out is not to be overlooked.

I think Naples is the greatest city in Europe, as I've written on this post many times. However, as great as it is, NAPLES IS NO PLACE TO VISIT WITH CHILDREN!!!

I think a visit to Napoli is a enriching experience for your children. Compared to other cities you plan to visit, Napoli seems chaotic to the first time visitor. Once you have pick pocket proofed yourselves, and learn to go with the flow in crossing streets following local traffic PRACTICES, you will see a vibrant city like no others with culture and heavenly food selections.
I went back on forth on whether I wanted my children to see the realities of the world beyond comfortable middle class neighborhoods. While those in US who have never spent time in working neighborhood might look down on those people as being lazy, I felt many were just trying to make the best of the environment dealt on them and lead life with pride within the context.
If you manage to stay till evening in Napoli, people will come out to enjoy the evening strolls. You might have to dodge soccer balls flying around you as children use whatever space they can find in the urban setting.

We loved our Easter in Naples this year and didnt feel any less safe than any other place we have visited in Italy or Europe recently. I was expecting roving gangs of pickpockets but didnt find anything like that at all. It was no different than Rome in our experience.

Pics can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7633185001263/

Was it gritty - yes

Was it run down - yes, but one can see the beauty in that too

Did I ever feel any less safe then in any other large city - absolutely not

Accordingly to people we spoke to in Naples the city has a bad rep from the 80's but has undergone a huge clean up and is still hampered by its previous reputation - not unlike NYC perhaps?

Would I spend a week there with kids - probably not. And I wouldnt send people that arent prepared to enjoy the grittiness either. But it was fascinating city with excellent food and very friendly people! And the craziest drivers I have encountered anywhere!!

Thank you again. We are looking only at apartments to rent as needless to say eating out for every meal is really not a good option for us! We have found one in Sorrento that seems to suit our requirements which is great.

I agree 'greg', I have travelled extensively (Asia/Africa/Central America etc) and would like to show my children more of the 'real world' than the Europe they live in/have travelled in. We are pretty street smart and confident travellers so a bit of challenging chaos is fine. Good idea about staying late - will try and make sure our visit to Naples includes staying out for an evening meal.

Thanks 'jamkins' your photos are great! Grittiness and good food - seems ideal! Plus not straying a whole week there with the kids!

Just to correct some of the posts above - Sorrento has NO BEACHES!
I don't know why people say it does.
The nearest beach is a bus/cab ride down the road to a place called Meta which is an ugly beach and packed to the gills in August.
If your kids want culture then go to Naples. You can get a hotel with a pool there and actually experience the *real* south rather than be jammed in Sorrento with thousands of English speakers on holiday.
@ Waldo - why is Naples no place for kids? People who live there have kids. I have taken my own teenagers there. What you are saying is absurd.

To House- I visit Naples a couple times a year. My wife's family lives there. As I previously said-I absolutely love Naples. However, because it's so hectic (which I love), and so crowded, which I also love, there is no place for children to be free, and carouse around, like children do. A parent has to keep a close vigil on kids, because they can be in situations in which they can be hurt, such as darting out in the street, falling on the Belgian Block streets or walks, getting lost in the overcrowded neighborhoods, etc. If you want to keep an eagle eye on your kids all the time, and keep them on a leash, the Naples is fine. Naples is really for grownups.

Do you wanna go someplace great with kids?-- Go to Gaeta! Absolutely first class.

Some of Europe's best beaches in and around Gaeta, like Serapo in Gaeta, and Sperlonga, and all the way up the coast towards Terracina. You have me excited, now I want to go!