3 days in Sorrento or Florence?

Posted by ShannyLuo (Washington State) on 03/22/17 08:36 PM

Hi!
I'm traveling with my sisters this July to italy for the frist time (woo-hoo!!). We have 10 days including the days we fly in/out of Rome. There is a wedding on the 4th day in Ravello. In a perfect world we would see Almalfi Coast AND Florence. Current itinerary:
Day 1: Rome;
Day 2 morning: Rome;
Day 2 evening: TBD (another night in Rome or head south);
Day 3: Pompeii? (where to sleep?);
Day 4: Wedding in Ravello;
Day 5-8: TBD;
Day 9-10: Rome;

My question is: Can we use Ravello as a jumping off point for seeing the Naples/Amalfi Coast, or should we stay in Sorrento? Alternatively, should we skip town after the wedding on the morning of Day 5 and head to Florence? Yes, I know they are very different. I'm a bit nervous bout how touristy these spots can be as well as how expensive the coast is, but a beach sounds great!. I'd like to have somewhere we can relax and hang out for a few days instead of spending too much time traveling around. thanks in advance!!

Posted by valadelphia

03/22/17 08:56 PM

5319 posts

You could possibly do both, but I am not sure how you are counting your days--is "day 1" the day you arrive in Rome? If I am interpreting correctly, the day you arrive, you can head immediately to Florence for three nights. Then take a train to Salerno and make your way to Ravello. Do you have plans for where to stay before the wedding? If not in Ravello, then I would make it quite close by if the wedding party is not providing transport. I would then spend a few days on the Amalfi coast (not in Sorrento). The less famous towns are not as expensive, though you need to book soon. Maiori has a wide beach. Honestly, I would skip Pompeii in July--it will feel like the sun's surface and be miserably crowded. Unless you can get yourself there super early, I just think it can wait. This possibly gives short shrift to Rome, but that is the easiest place to return to and you seem less jazzed about it. If this is too tight time-wise, do Rome and the AC. How fun--enjoy!

Posted by David in Brisbane

Brisbane, Australia

03/22/17 09:31 PM

7175 posts

Day 1: Arrive Rome. Train to Florence (2N)
Day 2: Florence
Day 3: Train via Naples to Sorrento/Amalfi Coast (4N)
Day 4: Wedding in Ravello
Day 5: Pompeii (& Naples ?)
Day 6: Capri
Day 7: Train to Rome (3N)
Day 8: Rome
Day 9: St Peters & Vatican
Day 10: Depart Rome

Posted by jeff-henion

03/22/17 10:45 PM

98 posts

Don't get me wrong....I love Florence more than just about anywhere but I'd give it a miss this time. Take a few days in Rome then take the balance of the time at your leisure in the Naples/Amalfi area. The time you spend travelling from Rome to Florence then down to Ravello is time you could be exploring Naples or sitting with your feet up watching the sun glint off the Med.

Posted by Tim

Wyckoff, NJ, USA

03/22/17 11:35 PM

8076 posts

ShannyLuo, not to be to academic about it, but Naples is not particularly part of the Amafli Coast. If you want to see Naples, you don't have time for it on this trip. You are likely to go right through it during travel days, yes.

Ravello is an extremely attractive town, but it is not on the (pebble) beach or stone cliff coast. It is way up on a hill. It also has a music festival that can book it solid. If you can afford to stay there, you might enjoy it very much. What mode of transport were you going to use to "see the Amalfi coast?"

Sorrento is a much less interesting (but vastly larger) resort town, but it has a lot more hotels. However, this entire area books up at least six months ahead in high season, which is when you are going. You are going to get your sixth choice of ANYTHING, so get busy.

I also think you should skip Florence on this trip. Why spend the time getting there? Rome is good for a week, and you don't even have that. I love Pompeii, but I would only see it in July at the moment the gates open. In the afternoon, fuggeddaboutit.

Posted by ShannyLuo OP

Washington State

03/25/17 11:49 PM

5 posts

Great input, everyone!! Still on the fence about Florence v Amalfi, but your opinions are fabulous!! Naples will most likely be a pass, or a day trip.
Not sure we'll hit Capri - sounds too crowded unless you can stay the night (and then too expensive!).
Yes - Day 1 is the day we arrive, so we could keep on heading to Florence.
We currently have two nights booked in Ravello - Days 3 and 4, I believe.
It seems that Sorrento is not a huge hit - where else would you suggest to stay that we can get to easily (bus or train), spend time in and make day trips from?

Thanks so much!!