We are staying in Sorrento this summer (June) We hired a driver to take us around Naples after we land, and stop for pizza at Da Michele (which we hear is fantastic Neopolitan pizza) then to our hotel in Sorrento.
The 2nd day, we would like to see Pompeii and Capri on the same day. Is this logistically possible to do if we get an early start? We are thinking Pompeii first and then Capri in the afternoon.
We have rented a car for the 3rd day to drive the Amalfi Coast at our own leisure. We have read mixed reviews about driving but are happy to have our own schedule.
Any input would be great as well as suggestions for quaint little restaurants and must-see sights in these areas. Thanks!
Deborah

Da Michele is my fav pizza place in Naples!

Remember that you are subjected to the times of the ferries, etc. over to Capri and back, better check the sked to see the last return time (it isn't very late).

You could take the commuter train from Sorrento to Pompeii in the morning and then go back to Sorrento or over to Naples for the trip to Capri. You won't have much time in Capri but try to get off the main square and explore the almost deserted walkways which are much more enjoyable.

I stayed in Sorrentina last fall and recommend that you dedicate a whole day to Capri. The island is just charming and AnaCapri is a charming welcoming spot to visit. It is not as heavily visited as the main part of the island and the flowers and title benches are worth the trip. Take a hike down to the Arco Naturale. It is a lovely place to have a picnic.

Pompeii is a distance from Sorrentina and I think that once you get to Pompeii that it is an absolutely fascinating walk through time. When I went I ended spending five hours.

I wouldn't recommend trying to cover two such lovely places in one day.

Hi edhill, there is no way I would personally try to see Pompeii and Capri in one day. I would chose one or the other.

If you do decide to go to Capri I agree with Giavanni about AnaCapri.

Wishing you a beautiful trip!

You can do it! Just don't get stranded in Capri! Or maybe just get stranded in Capri!

Hi ed,

>we would like to see Pompeii and Capri on the same day.<

That's about all you will do - see them.

I suggest that you spend a day at one or the other, especially since Pompei is NE and Capri is SW of Sorrento.

If you go to Pompei, you can also visit the Archaeological Museum in Naples and have another pizza.

>We have rented a car for the 3rd day to drive the Amalfi Coast at our own leisure. <

Be prepared for a very leisurely drive. The tour buses have a tendency to clog the Amalfi Coast road, creating very long waits. Parking is not easy to find.

You might wish to consider a private driver or public transportation.

>...quaint little restaurants...<

While waiting for the traffic to clear in Praiano, you could have lunch (or dinner) at La Brace or La Strada. Both are on the main street.

Have a nice visit.

One of my favorite days on the Amalfi Coast was the day on Capri. We took the 10:20am ferry over and the 6:30pm one back and didn't have enought time. As for Pompeii, it takes about a 1/2 hour to get there and another 1/2 hour to get back. Figure time to buy tickets and see the place and you can spend over half the day. I doubt you'd be able to do more than take the boat over to Capri, grab a drink in the harbor and go back. You probably wouldn't have time to get up in the town and wander. I'd say pick one or the other and plan on a return trip to the Amalfi Coast. Maybe you could have your driver take you to Pompeii the day you get in so you could at least see it for an hour or so? It would be on the way.

Forgot to give you some restaurant suggestions. The Vela Bianca at the Hotel Il Faro in the marina is fabulous. Also the Parrucchiana in town has wonderful food and beautiful flowers and gardens. For sitting in the Piazza Tasso and people watching, I recommend the Fauno Bar. And of course you must sample the limoncello at each place! They each make their own and it's all different.

I recommend you hire a driver rather than rent a car to drive the Amalfi Coast. It probably won't cost much more than the car (maybe even less!) and you will enjoy it much, much more. Remember the driver will go anywhere you want, and if you want to stop it's a lot easier for him to wait for you with the car than you finding a parking spot.

I personally recommend Renato Cuomo (cuomonet.it), but I know many people recommend his former driver, Francisco Marrapese.

Sorry to hear you are staying in soporific Sorrento, but try to enjoy yourself anyway. The town subsists on people who are afraid of Naples (primarily lower middle-class Brits). It is not possible to see Pompeii and Capri in one day, in any way that would offer more than a drive by experience. Maybe not even that. Not even that.

What you want to do is stay in Naples for a night and have your pizza and visit the archaeological museum. You visit Pompeii the next day. You go to Positano. You make a day trip to Capri. In short, you need to budget four days or eliminate a destination. Better yet, add a day. Just make sure none of them are in Sorrento (best suited for changing busses).

We drove Amalfi coast ourselves and did fine, but they're right about the busses, and it would have been great to have a driver.

I'd recommend most of a day for Pompeii, and see Capri the day you are driving Amalfi coast--you don't need to drive the whole coast; a little can go a long way.

Thanks everyone. I think that we could combine the Amalfi coast drive with a ferry over to Capri. I wish that we had more time. We are squeezing this leg of the trip in after a week in Manchester & London and a stop in Florence to show the kids (ages 9 and 13) what they missed out on when my husband and I went in 2002.
We are not "afraid" of Naples. (Pausanias)There was no Hilton property there so we are staying in Sorrento because my husband is a Hilton Diamond and we can stay there free. I would rather spend my money on a wonderful oil painting of the Amalfi Coast, china from the factories in Stoke-on-Trent. (and a case of wine from Tuscany!) I really appreciate
everyone's thoughts and suggestions!
Deborah

A free stay in Sorrento?! How wonderful. I know some people feel that Sorrento is not the place to stay, but I really enjoyed our time there. And as for driving yourself around - we did hire Francesco Marrapese this time, but my husband really wants to go back and rent a car (ideally he would love to rent a Smart Car beause he thinks they are so cute !) and drive ourselves around. There is a great book on Naples and the Amalfi Coast by a travel group entitled "On Time". It would be a great resource for driving yourself and finding some of the higlights (and out of the way places). Enjoy!!

I think you should review your goals.

If the goal is to say you were there, by all means do them in one day.

If the goal is to see and enjoy them, devote the day to each.

We've been to Sorrento twice. Since ruins are not really our thing, we passed on Pompeii both time.

However, we went to Capri both times. It's beautiful. Don't miss spending a good part of the day walking around the Island. Also, Anacapri and Mont Solero.

In my opinion, what you can skip is the Blue Grotto. I thought it was a waste of time and money. You can do a search on previous threads to get other opinions.

No...not in one day. Pompeii can be done comfortably in 2-3 hours on your way through to somewhere else but if you are traveling from Sorrento I do not believe it would be possible to enjoy a day that would include visits to both. Personally, I thought Pompeii was very interesting but if I had to choose between the two and I was already in Sorrento...I would make the trip to Capri.

Make sure to try and see Ravello on your day down the Amalfi Coast.