We will be staying in Rome for a week and wanted to take a day trip to Pompei. We were wondering if it was worth going to Sorrento too. First question: Is this feasible or too much for one day. Second Question is: What is there to do in Sorrento?

Thanks!

Danimal, you're asking a very common question on this board and if you use the search box, you'll come up with no end of useful posts and answers.

But to answer you briefly--first question, yes it is too much to squeeze Sorrento into a Rome/Pompei daytrip. There aren't enough hours in the day. Second Question: what to do in Sorrento? Walk around the town, admire the sea, swim in the sea, take a boat ride on the sea, eat, shop, sightsee...plenty in Sorrento to keep you busy. The town has a tourist website (I forget the address but it's no trouble to google it) that offers a lot of info for visitors.

There are plenty of companies that have organized excursions to Pompeii, and maybe some have a quick stop in Sorrento. I took a tour that drove through Naples, stopped at a cameo factory and went to Pompeii. It was rushed, and the bus was uncomfortable, but if this is the only way you will see Pompeii it's worth it.

There's also instructions on this site on how to take a train and get to Pompeii on your own.

Previous poster has it right! Plenty of answers to your question. But, I have done what you asked 3 or 4 times. Get ES early train from Rome; catch Circumvesuvia train at Napoli Centrale; takes 30 to 40 minutes to get to Pompeii.

It is a long day, but let me add the following. Smell the Roses along the way. The train to Naples passes Monte Cassino..catch the view. After getting to Napoli Centrale, walk out on the street and catch a pastry and espresso on one of the streets adjacent to Piazza Garibaldi.

Split your time between Pompeii and Sorrento in a way that is satisfying to you. You will not be able to see all of Pompeii even if you spend two days there. Maximize your time.

Get back to Naples in time to stroll down the Corso Garibaldi, looking for the open markets on the side streets. Watch the Vespas, they are even more dangerous in Naples than Rome.

It is a long day, but you would probably spend a long day in Rome anyway. Grab a beer or wine in the club car on the ES train going back. Enjoy.

Hi Danimal,
I have not personally done what you are asking about. I did 10 days on Amalfi coast. However, I have a close friend who did a day trip from Rome going to Pompeii and driving the Amalfi coast and going all the way to Ravello. She hired a private driver and they had to leave very early and had a long day, but she loved it and got to do all the things she wanted--even shopping. kslanker has good suggestions for you. Happy travels!

Hello Again, Thanks for the advice.

One more question: After taking the Circumvesuviana to Pompei from naples. Is it a smooth transition by train from Pompei to Sorrento? Or do we have to go back to Naples? How much time will it take?

You might be happiest if you planned a trip to Pompeii, then went to Sorrento and spent the night and returned to Rome.

We recently spent 5 days in Sorrento, and I can't say I think it would be worth a trip as a destination. It worked fine for us as a base from which to visit Pompeii, Paestum, Capri, and Naples. But I didn't feel that Sorrento itself had that much of interest to offer, and I certainly wouldn't cut Pompeii short in order to get to Sorrento. It's not the most beautiful town on the Amalfi Coast -- just the easiest to get in and out of.

I think if you're going to Pompeii from Rome, that's a pretty long day trip in itself, and I wouldn't try to put Sorrento in the equation. Actually, if you want to go someplace else, I'd suggest Naples, to visit the Archeological Museum there, which definitely enhances a visit to Pompeii. I think Rick Steves' Rome book might have a day trip that includes Naples and Pompeii, although that still seems like a lot to pack into one day. We spent 6 hours at Pompeii and still didn't see everything we might have, and Naples was worth at least a day in itself.

Another consideration: when are you going? Much of Sorrento shuts down in the off-season.

Hi Danimal
>...After taking the Circumvesuviana to Pompei from naples. Is it a smooth transition by train from Pompei to Sorrento? Or do we have to go back to Naples? How much time will it take?<

The same train that goes to Pompeii Scavi continues on to Sorrento.

Schedules are at http://www.vesuviana.it/orario_ol/orari.asp

Yes, it is possible in a very long day. There are tour companies, bus groups and private, that offer this. However it will be very rushed and superficial. Naples and the Archeology Museum itself could take a day or two to see superficially.

One suggestion: another possibility that we did on our first trip to Rome is to go to Ostia Antica - right outside of Rome. It is the other main preserved ancient Roman city - nice small museum, intersesting mosaics, you will spend more time seeing an ancient Roman city than traveling in a bus or car or train. I think Ostia makes more sense as a day trip from Rome than Pompeii, which should be for a separate trip, or a separate destination.

That said, you have no bad choices, all of Italy is great.

I agree with Jeffrey.