<BR>My wife & I are traveling to Italy in May for a few weeks. We're staying in Sorrento for about 5 days. Any ideas for places to go, & things to see, besides the usual?

Me again - only MY advice, remember. Capri one day by hydrofil but don;t buy anything there or eat in any of the fancy restuarants. On another day, do Positano via hydrofoil, same theory here as well. If you're real ambitious you can do the Vesuvius trip by bus which is 2 1/2 hours each way to the volcano and ruins. Above all else, ask the concierge at your hotel how to get to La Bouganvilla Ice Cream Parlor. You have to go here at least once. They do unbelievable things with ice cream. You'll love it.

An itinerary you may want to consider. <BR>Day 1-- Sorrento, Day 2 -- Capri (eat at La Verginiello down the block from the cable car station, ask anyone when you get up to the top), Day 3 -- Pompeii, Day 4 -- Positano and down the Amalfi Coast, Day 5 -- hike Vesuvius if that's your kind of thing, or go back down the coast to Ravello, or go into Naples, or go back just to hang out in one of the places you really enjoyed. Feel free to write directly if you have other questions. <BR>

I loved Sorrento, and hope you will, too. It's a great place to relax, but with several sights and destinations to visit. Definitely go to Capri and "do" the Blue Grotto -- it's quite an unusual experience. We probably would have enjoyed Capri more if we'd spent a full day there, and by going to Anacapri. We spent a full day at Pompeii, which is a 45 min. train ride, and the train stops close to the main gate. Buy a good guide book/map when you get there. We took a bus to Positano -- and I'd recommend that, too. The windy roads are the views are spectacular. (45 min.)But we got off at the first stop, which was "above" the town and a long but interesting walk down. And we had some difficulty catching the return bus, but it was a Sunday, and apparently all bets are off on schedules on Sundays and holidays. Beautiful town to visit, though. And Sorrento itself is so pleasant! If you like to walk you can take a hike to Roman ruins at the end of the point (long walk). We stayed at Albergo Minerva, on top of a cliff on the way out of town (very short walk into town center), with incredible view of the Bay. Great value for the hotel: pool, terrace, large airy rooms with balcony or terrace. About $110. Loved it! If you'd like more info. give me a ring. Enjoy your trip - 5 days in that area is perfect!

I agree with all of the others. That part of Italy is absolutely beautiful! I stayed in Sorrento in March 1998 - weather was a little chilly (but better than Minnesota was). We went to Pompeii (incredible if you enjoy history at all-I didn't remember a lot of what I was taught and still enjoyed it). The drive from Sorrento to Amalfi (going thru Poisitano) was gorgeous!!! I was on a tour so couldn't stop when I wanted to - believe me, I wanted to. Amalfi was fun and interesting. We also went to Isle of Capri - the weather was horrible and they stopped running the tour for the next couple of days, so we were lucky to see it. I recommend going up to Annacapri - the view was wonderful even in the rain and horrible winds. I wanted to see the Blue Grotto - it was highly recommended to me, but the weather didn't cooperate. If you can, experience it. <BR>Just walking around Sorrento is also enjoyable. We then went up to Rome and as much as I enjoyed Rome, I would rather go back to Sorrento and see more. People were very friendly and most spoke at least some English. Hopefully you'll have better weather than I did (they closed the road between Naples and Rome while we were in Sorrento - Very Unusual we heard). Have a great trip.

Capri is a must-do. There's an old Roman Villa you can hike to; good views and the way there is interesting because you walk past a lot of amateur gardens and such. <BR>I took the bus to Blue Grotto but the tide didn't cooperate. I'd ask at the TI as soon as I disembarked when the tide would be favorable, and plan the visit around that. <BR>You can buy a day bus ticket which takes you to a town near the top of Capri; from there you buy a lift ticket and ride a ski lift to the very top for views, and the awesome scent of wild flowers wafting up to you as you dangle over meadows. It's kinda windy at the top, though, chilly; so be prepared. <BR> Do Pompeii as well --take an awesome guidebook or hire a guide. You can wander through Pompeii for hours, and you probably should. At the edge of Pompeii, hike to the Villa dei Misterei (it's not far) and wander through to find hte murals. Hard to find, but worth it.

Clay, <BR>Definitely visit Positano and eat either at Da Vincenzo, a short walk up the hill (ask directions) - the owner is a character and the food great, or at Il Mulino, down some steps in the middle of town, delicious food at a reasonable price. The places down on the beach are fun to sit in with a coffee, but not the best food. <BR>Ravello is exquisite, the quintessential small Italian town, with breathtaking views. Excellent place to shop for ceramics. Eat at Cumpa Cosimo, run by Netta, a hostess that will feed you well and treat you warmly. Try to visit the public gardens at both Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo. Getting to Ravello is a long winding drive, an adventure. There are buses, if this is a problem. Amalfi is also an interesting town. Capri is fun and beautiful, but extremely touristy. Do walk to the Gardens of Augustus for spectacular views and make the trip up to Anacapri. Buon Viaggio!

Just returned from a week outside of Sorrento and would agree with most postings (Ravello is exquisite/Pompeii a must see/Positano and Amalfi charming) but wouldn't recommend Capri. It's expensive and incredibly touristy - I would definitely visit all the other suggestions before I gave up an entire day to visit Capri. <BR> <BR>Here's a couple of restaurant suggestions: <BR> <BR>Quattro Passi in Marina de Cantone (approximately 15 km from Sorrento). Wonderful seafood menu and the owner (Antonio) is a charming host. <BR> <BR>Don Alfonso is Sant'Agata - one of only 3 Michelin 3 stars in Italy - expensive (lunch with wine was $200US) but worth the splurge - family owned and a very warm welcome. <BR> <BR>We didn't have a chance to try them, but Caruso and La Fenice (both in Sorrento) were well recommended by Antonio and other locals. <BR> <BR>DEFINITELY go to Cumpa Cosima in Ravello and order the lasagna - who knew it could be such a light dish? <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

It would have been helpful to respondants if you were to clarify exactly what you define as 'the usual', Clay. the usual on any holiday or the usual on a trip to South Western Italy? <BR> <BR>Personally i would recommend Capri and Ischia, Vesuvius, Pompeii and Ravello/Amalfi

Another word about Capri - yes it can be incredibly touristy. I went 2 years ago and when I got off the funiculare and walked a bit and saw all the restaurants and boutiques and it was enough for me and I left. I went this past October again with a person who used to live there - and I walked past all the stores and everything until you got to the more residential areas. From there you can take great walks and enjoy amazing views. Forget the shopping and do this instead. You can follow these long paths for hours (and your legs will hate you). But I do recommend the Blue Grotto - touristy and gimmicky yes, but also a beautiful sight. <BR>