Amalfi Coast itinerary

I am interested in the same trip but in September... hope you get much feedback...

Would be easy to do Pompeii on your way to Sorrento. If you plan to take a guided tour, time it for arrival based on Trenitalia and Circumvesuviana websites. You could easily be at a tour by noon or so, then continue to Sorrento for evening. Or self tour for that matter (although I think this is a great place to splurge on a guide). Try Gaetano Manfredi if you can. June 11, 12, 13 are then open for your other desired sites. Capri takes a full day as far as I can tell, so does Paestum, and so does the Positano/Amalfi/Ravello portion. So one day each by public transportation. Unless you hire a private driver. I think a private driver was mentioned here in the helpline recently as a good efficient option to cover everything down to Paestum and back to Sorrento in one day. You might want to read up and see if you can manage that. That leaves the 14th for perhaps catching the Naples Archaeological Museum on the way back to Rome. Normally I'd recommend seeing that before Pompeii, but this might make more sense in terms of using your time and having some flexibility. If you find yourself with "extra time," there's Herculaneum too, which is fascinating in it's own right, and do spend some time e in Sorrento itself.

Good suggestion, Laurel.

Laurel, I will keep your suggestions in mind when finalizing my Amalfi Coast/Sorrento itinerary. Great suggestions! Ruth

Hi Angela, I have toured the Amalfi coast several times in the past few years.....you are going to love it! I also based myself in Sorrento and had great success using the SITA bus as well as the boat to Capri. You need a full day to truly enjoy your trip to Ravello (i think a short stop in Amalfi town either on the way there or back is sufficient). The public gardens (Cimbrone and Rufolo) are breathtaking. There is a great restaurant in Ravello that I always go to with a magnificent view called Da Salvatore. I could go on and on about Ravello....I absolutely love it!!!! I always make my way to Positano in the late afternoon and spend the evening there having a late dinner before returning (last bus about 9:30-10:00). It is magnificent at night with all the lights. If you need any specific info. about these places, I would be glad to help. Enjoy yourself....it will be spectacular!!!!
PS If you are going to Pompei (there are tours from Sorrento) then I would skip Paestum.

We went on a tour from Sorrento to Paestum with this tour company in Oct 2010. Despite the on and off rain all day we enjoyed it and the guide was v good. We took a picnic lunch (including wine!) with us and ate it when the others went to a restaurant. http://www.goldentours.it/en/salerno_e_paestum.php

depending on how long you want to linger Positano/Amalfi/Ravello and Paestum can be done in one long day trip. we used Sorrento Silver Star car service. Mt Vesuvius combined with Pompeii makes another full day if you are up to a little hike.
the idea of seeing the museum in Naples enroute is a good one. we found the city to be big, busy and not worth the time except for the museum.

if you stop at Pompeii on the way to Sorrento what do you do with the luggage? are there lockers at the train station?

Don't skip Paestum! In addition to the archeological zone, the museum, the beach, there are mozzarella farms that make the rightly famous buffalo mozzarella. An overnight in Paestum should do it. There are lots of hotel options, my favorite is Poseidonia al Mare, about 1 km from the temples - they will loan you bikes or give you a ride if you like. Very good food in their restaurant, too (breakfast included in the price, includes bacon and eggs made to order as well as local specialties) and dinner is excellent.

I did something similar last month. I like to see sites in depth. I spent a day at Herculaneum, a day at Pompeii, and a day at the Archeological Museum in Naples. I had intended to go to Paestum, but the transportation was daunting from Sorrento. Also it happened that Sorrento's patron saint's day was that week, so I changed my plans and stayed in Sorrento. Because of the weather, I ruled out Positano/Ravello and happily enjoyed Sorrento. If you are interested in Pompeii, I recommend spending at least a couple of hours at the museum in Naples. You can check your bags in the train station, then take the metro there and back. It's about 1/2 hour by train from Sorrento to Pompeii, 3/4 hour to Herculaneum, 1 to 1-1/4 hour to Naples (there are a few express trains). The trains run about every half hour.

Thank you all for you your help. You've given me some very useful information and I appreciate it!

We will be doing the same thing in July. Anyone have hotel suggestions in Sorrento?

Hi Vikki, I believe there are lockers at the Pompeii Scavi (Archeological site) to store luggage. I have not been there yet, so seasoned travelers, please correct me if I am wrong. Ruth

Kathy, I stayed at Magi House (B&B) in Sorrento and loved it. It was reasonably priced (in February) but I suspect their summer rates are much higher.

Yes, luggage can be stored at the Pompeii Scavi site. By the ticket window, I believe.