Raven19

Hi, I am new to the forum, so please forgive me if I repeat a question already asked. I searched through all the Sorrento threads and had some of my questions answered, but I'm trying to figure out which area to stay in that would be the best for my plans. I plan on spending at least 4 days in the area, my husband and I and our two kids, who will be 17 and 15 at the time we travel. I wanted to stay at the Hilton Sorrento because we have racked up quite a bit of points and our stay would be free, however I'm willing to stay in a different area if it would be more convenient. Here's the areas we would like to see:

Amalfi Coast
Pompeii
Capri
Mount Vesuvius volcano
Herculaneum
Isle of Ischia

So my question is, which area should we get a hotel in that would be most convenient to visit all the above places, I realize they are spread out, just looking for suggestions. Also, please feel free to add any places you think are a must see that I have not included.

Budget - would like to stay under $300 per night if possible.

Thank you.

kybourbon

For your list, Sorrento is probably the most convenient although you might not have time for everything on your list. It has the best transportation options to everything listed. Places on down the Amalfi coast will mean more connections and travel time to reach things.

Some people spend the entire day at Pompeii (it's huge) while others have had enough after a few hours. Both Pompeii and Herculaneum are fairly close together (local train line that runs between Naples and Sorrento). Vesuvius is a bit more difficult to reach as you have to catch a bus (can catch it outside Pompeii).

It will take the better part of the day for Capri and another day for Ischia. That won't leave you time for the Amalfi Coast so you need to drop something. Four nights somewhere only give you three sightseeing days.

WWK

I would leave Ischia for your next visit to the area, and tour the Amalfi Coast for a day, since it's easier to get to from Sorrento. Positano is only about a 30 minute drive from Sorrento; Amalfi's a bit further.

Jean

Just so you know, the many artifacts found at Pompeii and Herculaneum are now housed in the archeology museum in Naples. You can definitely appreciate the wonders of the two sites without seeing the artifacts, but I do think the artifacts complete the picture of Pompeii as the popular seaside resort town of the Roman upper class.

Here are some lectures you might like to view before going:

http://www.academicearth.org/courses/roman-architecture [#5-8 on the first page]

http://www.khanacademy.org/humanitie...a-of-mysteries

If your trip is during the summer, be prepared for heat and intense sunshine. There is little to no shade throughout the excavations.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

Hi there!

For some reassurance about that hotel, if you've not done so already, perhaps have a look through the reviews they've received over on TripAdvisor...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_R..._Campania.html

Whilst it's never possible to please everyone, they seem to be doing fairly well!

..........................

Although Vesuvius doesn't hold much appeal for us, you might consider pairing it with Herculaneum - where our own visits usually take no more than 2 hours.... whereas, at Pompeii, one can wander around until ready to drop!

For some insight into the various ways to reach the summit..

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attract..._Campania.html

... noting that the Herculaneum site is in the modern-day town of Ercolano, with "Ercolano Scavi" the nearest station on the line that comes from Sorrento!

..........................

But it's sad to see your visit to Ischia, our home for a decade now, being dismissed so casually?

Far from difficult - whether opting for the convenience of this once-weekly excursion...

http://www.goldentours.it/en/ischia.php

.... or making your own arrangements, by taking the same hydrofoil they use - from Sorrento at 09:30, back from here around 17:30, to a seasonal pattern that I've tried to describe here:

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/131364851

Whilst many of the island's main attractions are open every day - for example, the Castello Aragonese here in Ischia Ponte...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/ischcom

.... and the several thermal spa parks...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/spagards

.... do be sure to check the rather odd pattern adopted by the lovely 'La Mortella' gardens...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/forio

Peter

wanttogo

Many of your decisions may be influenced by your transportation mode. We had planned to take the ferry to
the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento several years ago but found that it had stopped running a few days before we got there.
We ended up taking the public bus from Sorrento to Positano,
a cheap and easy method of transportation. The ride, though, is just plain scary. The ferries to Capri were still running
but the Blue Grotto was not open due to rough conditions. Capri is nice anyway. Oh, we were in Naples last week and
noted a sign on the hotel desk that the small local train
that runs to Pompeii was shut down for most of the day due to
a strike. My point is, the unpredictable is almost predictable
in this part of Italy.

I am sure you will love it!

Pat

Raven19

Thanks so much for all the information, very helpful. My schedule is flexible since we will be traveling for a month through Europe, so I may stay an extra day.

Thank you also for all the links, those are very helpful. I will be looking over those the next few days.

My concern now is transportation to all these attractions. I did review one of the links that one of you provided and it looks like it covers all the places I want to go, but it is going to be pricey to do all of them. Does anybody recommend a cheaper mode of transportation for any of them? I'm assuming the public bus to Amalfi is more affordable? I noticed on another thread someone said to take the bus to Amalfi and then to take the ferry boat back for the views from the water.

A Brit In Ischia - do you think one day is enough time to spend on Ischia? I love the golden tours link, I think I will probably go with that one to visit Capri and Ischia, I hope I can find something cheaper though for the other sites.

For those who have visited Capri, is this a must see?

Thanks again.

AJPeabody

The three day ArteCard tutta la regione pass will get you 3 days of transit in the area, plus your first two entries for free (Pompeii and Herculanum are the most expensive), then 1/2 price after that. We used the pass last May, and the entries just about covered the cost of the pass, making the local train, buses, and the Naples subway essentially free. Water transport is not included.

WWK

A_Brit_ in_ Ischia: Not my intent to dismiss Ischia at all (!) as it's on the top of my list for our next visit. But I was under the impression that it is a bit more difficult to get there from Sorrento than it is to Positano/Amalfi.

kybourbon

If you go to Ischia and Capri, you will have to drop some of your other plans as you simply don't have enough time.

longhorn55

I would definitely stay in Sorrento. We stayed there when we visited the area (Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri, etc.) and we found it to be both an excellent location and a town with lovely views.

<For those who have visited Capri, is this a must see?>
No, I don not think Capri is a must see. I really didn't find it particularly interesting or exceptionally scenic. (I've seen better elsewhere.) I would recommend using your limited time sightseeing elsewhere.

A_Brit_In_Ischia

For the trip to Ischia, although the hydrofoil fares (c.€40 return) make up a good part of the cost, €300 for the four of you - before any entry fees, or lunch - does still seem rather expensive?

(Regrettably, with both the tour company and Alilauro, the 20% kids' discount applies only to age 12!)

Perhaps come over that way, and then try the three hour taxi tour of the island - for which there's a set rate of €80 ?

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/136481940

We did that with friends who were on a similar visit from Sorrento, and it worked surprisingly well - although it would be pricey for only one or two... We arranged with the driver to end the tour here in Ischia Ponte, where we then sat chatting over a long lunch, but you could instead explore the castle or have some beach time - with then only a short bus or taxi ride back to the harbour!

Otherwise, I'm sure I've written up some alternatives - along these lines...

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html

That "3 day All Region" version of the Artecard can be really useful, it's even accepted on the buses here (though not in any of the island's museums or sites - nor on Capri, or on any of the boats etc!) - but do note the forthcoming price rise, and other still-T.B.A. changes.....

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTop..._Campania.html

As an aside, it really would help to give a rough date for these visits... things, especially the sea crossings, change considerably over the course of the season!

Peter
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde

Raven19

Hello everyone, just wanted to check back in. I had to push my trip out to the summer of 2015. I will be checking back in in the next year with any questions. I'm so glad I found this forum to get information, it has been very helpful. Thanks to everyone for the information so far to start my research.