Does it make sense to go to Sorrento/Amalfi Coast?

You'll probably get many replies saying don't do it, but we've done basically the same thing more than once because we absolutely love Sorrento and the AC. Any distance, for us, is well worth it.

I live near the Amalfi Coast and I get there every chance I get, so I strongly recommend going there if you can. Rather than the train, which takes a while from Naples to Venice, look at some of the discount airlines. I've flown from Naples to Venice 4 times in the last year, never spending more than 50 euro on a trip (it's usually closer to 25 euro one way). We went on EasyJet for 3 of those trips-- no frills, but really do you need them on such a short flight? It's just over an hour-long flight. This could get you to Venice quickly without spending a whole day or night on the train.

I love Cinque Terre and Lucca too (I guess there's really not too much I dislike in Italy!). They're probably more "on the way" than Naples/Sorrento is. You really can't go wrong!

Hi Char, You will love Pienza. Having been to Amalfi coast, based in Sorrento in early October where it was very warm, I would cast my vote for the AC. We also went to CT in mid Oct. and it was sunny and nice during the day and very cool at night. But for Nov. I predict that the weather will be nicer to the south and of course you will be able to see the sights that you mentioned travelling on the Circumvesuviana train. I don't think that you can make a bad choice though. Ciao, SHerry

This is a lot of travel just to end up in deserted resort towns in November. I think the idea of going to Lucca is a good one, though.

Lots of people live in Sorrento. It will not be deserted.

Going to Pompeii, Herculanuem, Amalfi and Ravenna will be great in November, or any time of year.

Thanks, everyone. Am leaning towards Sorrento after researching the transportation options that you suggested. Steve, it DOES seem cost effective to drive the car from Pienza to Sorrento (rental office closes at 7:30 pm so can drop off the same day), but are there confusing areas around Rome and Naples? Any particular routes we should avoid or shortcuts that are helpful? We have a Garmin that we usually take with us and I always download viamichelin and have a good road map atlas. No ZTLs, I hope, since we won't be in any cities...or at least will try not to make any mistakes and end up in cities...Meredith, the Easyjet option is a good one. Would it make sense to take the Curreri Viaggi bus from Sorrento to the Naples airport? Where in Sorrento does it leave from and will there be as many scheduled in November? http://www.curreriviaggi.it/ How much time do we allow before the flight after check in? I am not opposed to a quieter (meaning less people because of it being in November) experience in Sorrento, Pompeii, and the Amalfi coast. Thanks, Susan, for the encouragement! We would have arranged our trip differently in more of a sequential order, but our agriturismo stay is a set Saturday to Saturday...taking part in the olive harvest - my short list again - hence the November timeframe. Would have loved our usual September trip, but this will be a new experience!

Susan - I'm sure you mean Ravello, not Ravenna. Ravenna is a long way from the Amalfi coast.

Yes, Ravello, not Ravenna!

Tom...I was quoting Char in her op when I wrote "Ravenna".

And Char, I think November is a perfectly good time to go to Sorrento, Pompeii, Herculaneum and Ravello!