Hi! My daughter is going to be studying abroad in Chambery, France for the summer. We have been to France before so this time before my daughter has to be in Chambery we thought we would first explore more of Italy and Germany where we had only brief stays a couple of years ago. We are going to Munich but we are torn between doing the much talked about lately Amalfi coast and Capri with a home base in Sorrento for a couple of days or, Venice - never having been to either place. Can anyone help us decide which would be more interesting and exciting? We realize Sorrento is pretty far from Munich, but if we decided on Sorrento we would consider an overnight train. We will be going around the last week in May so we don't have much time to decide and start planning as my daughter just got word of her program dates. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

It depends on your interests, but I would see Venice this time. The Amalfi coast is more of an optional extra, unless you are desperate to see Pompeii.

Hi L,

It's a schlep to Venice, but easier than to Sorrento.

Where will you be visiting in the Munich area?

Another vote for Venice. Who knows, it may sink? And I think it's a must-see. Plus you really need more than a couple of days for Sorrento/Pompeii/Amalfi COast/Capri.

Look into low-cost airline flights from Munich to Venice.

Hi ledhead,

having just come back from a week in venice [click on my name to see my trip report] I might be accused of bias but my vote goes to Venice. Leaving aside the consideration that it may not be around too much longer, [not fanciful IMO - the water could be seen lapping over the edges of the grand canal every night when we were there] you can spend any lrngth of time in Venice and stil enjoy your stay. There is so much to do around Sorrento, and the journey so long from Munich, that it's hardly worth it for a couple of days.

if you are prepared to take the train, look at www.bahn.de for the timetable - it takes about 7 hours, but it goes through the alps and you end up smack in the centre of Venice. there's a departure at about 11am weekdays, which gets you there for about 6pm. perfect. you could always fly back if you preferred.

regards, ann

I can only say that the scenery on the Amalfi Coast/Capri is one of a kind. I vote for Sorrento (or better yet, why don't you stay on one of the towns lining up the coast).

However, having said that, I wouldn't do an overnight train all the way from Munich to Sorrento. Can't you find an inexpensive fare flying from Munich to Naples?

We flew Vienna to Rome and then trained to Sorrento but I'm sure there are many airlines that serve Munich area too.

As a generalization! I would say Venice is more for sightseeing and the Amalfi Coast is more for driniking up the scenery - but both are wonderful. Some of the wonder of Vencie is just being there and wandering through the city but there is also ALOT of ART and indoor venues to see. The Amalfi coast has alot more outdoor venues to enjoy - lots of nice hikes or get a place wtih a pool and sun yourselves. Does that make it any easier to decide? but either one will be nice for you and your daughter to do together. Enjoy!

Hi everyone! You all had some great points. Most of you say Venice. However Sorrento is suppose to be beautiful and we have always wanted to swim in the Mediterranean!In Munich Ira, we just wanted to see the city, go to an authentic beer garden and the museum of science. Being of German descent this is important for us to see. Yet you guys are right. Venice may not be around much longer! I guess I will just ponder it a bit more and let my girls who are coming with me read all your comments and let them make the decision! Thanks to all!

We spent Christmas in Munich and NYE in Venice this past holiday season. The train from Munich-Venice was easy, and the two cities are a good combination IMO.

Another vote for Venice. I'll be going back for my fourth visit this summer, and I can't imagine ever getting enough of Venice!

Sorrento is a pretty town; Venice is other-worldly.

If you want to swim in Venice, there's a beach along the length of the Lido, a long skinny island in the Venetian lagoon, easily reached by vaporetto. The public beaches are at the two far ends of the island.

Sorrento has almost no beach; you can swim from jetties that project into the Bay of Naples from the foot of the cliff. (When we were there, the water was full of garbage discharged from a cruise ship.) Sorrento's virtue is as a transportation center to the sites in the area.

There's a small beach at Positano, a slightly bigger one at Amalfi.

Venice is a unique world treasure. Nothing else like it.

The Amalfi Coast is a gorgeous coastal area, one of many gorgeous coastal areas in the world.

I'd opt for the unique world treasure.

But if you do opt for the Amalfi Coast, I'd stay in one of the towns that is actually on the Amalfi Coast, not Sorrento.

Thanks everyone. I think we pretty much decided from all your input that Amalfi may be a little too far for this trip. So we decided to save it for next trip where we can take more time. We are going to do Venice. However, it was suggested that we do this itinerary: Chambery to meet my daughter where we will spend a couple of days, then perhaps to the Cinque Terre for a couple of days (I am told they have good swimming in the Mediterranean), then on to Venice for two days and then Munich as our last stop for 4 days with a side trip for a day to Rothenburg. Does anyone know anything about the Cinque Terre and, is it worth the time?

Hi ledhead,

lots of people here know lots about the CT, but I'm afraid I'm not one of them.

what I do know is that I've just come back from a week in Venice and it wasn't long enough. if you want to go there, I'd advise against the CT on this trip. If you want to swim in the med, go to Nice.

Champery, munich, Venice makes sense;

Champery, Nice, CT makes sense,

Champery, CT, Venice, Munich [and Rothenburg] doesn't.

if you've got 10 days, then really you need a max of 3 destinations, preferably 2 - and remember that every time you move, you'll lose at least half a day.

regards, ann