Thank you all for input on Sorrento base. It looks like I will base is Sorrento. I would like a very nice hotel. Should I do the Grand Hotel Excelsior or Hilton or any other suggestions. I'd like to be on the water with great views? Any suggestions on what to do while in amalfi coast for 3 1/2 days? Please share stories. Aloha

Hi Sunnie,<BR><BR> Alternatives to Pompeii are Paestum and Herculaneum. Some say that these are more interesting.

The Grand Hotel Excelsior may be noisy... It gives on the water but the ferry harbour is just underneath + walls and windows insulation used to be minimal...

Sunnie: We love the Bellevue Syrene, which is high on a hill overlooking the Bay of Naples with spectacular views. The dining room (where we have breakfast)has huge windows and the view along with an above average included breakfast is a wonderful way to start the day. It is walking distance from most everyplace. Easy walking distance to the Circumvesuviana Station, Marina Piccolo (hydrofoils to Capri and Ischia), lots of restaurants, shops, etc.<BR><BR>A visit to Pompeii is a wonderful experience. We haven't made it to Paestum yet, but hopefully will someday. Herculaneum is very interesting but not more so than Pompeii. They are quite different, even though both were lost the same day.<BR><BR>If you wish more info on the Bellevue Syrene, feel free to e-mail me. I'd give you the web site/e-mail addresses now, but don't have them at my fingertips.<BR><BR>[email protected]

I stayed at the Hilton. It doesn't have Italy charm but the amenities are fantastic and it had a great view. Ditto Capri and Amalfi coast. We did both. A trip to Paestum would also be great via limo. We used public transit to all our stops and did fine. We hit Pompeii on the way back to Rome.