We are planning a trip to Italy in October. We will fly in and out of Rome. We want to go down as far as Sorrento. Staying in Naples and also visiting Pompeii. Can anyone suggest what things would be worth seeing along the way? We have been to Rome so we know what to do when we are there. Any help would be appreciated.
Also do you think the weather should still be mild in mid October?
Thank you,
Shelly
When you land (probably in the morning) go straight to Sorrento.
You can take a train to Naples, then from Naples you can take the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento. I would stay in Sorrento the whole time during your time in the Gulf of Naples. I think it's nicer than Naples, unless you like big cities. You can visit Naples from Sorrento, it's only just over 1 hr by train. Pompeii is half way between the two along the same rail line.
Leave Rome for last. You need to spend at least the last night before your flight back in Rome. However I presume you might want to stay a little longer, even though you've been there before.
Sorry but nobody can predict the weather so far ahead. Generally mid October is mild, but could be rainy. Who knows?
I was in Sorrento last October and the weather was wonderful, only a bit of drizzle on one morning. I didn't hit any major rain until early November in Venice and Milan. Maybe I was just lucky. I planned for foul weather by packing a jacket and an umbrella, and was very pleased that they got so little use.
October should be fine for weather, I always pack something water-repellent anyway, but if it rains, guys selling umbrellas for a few euro will pop up everywhere.
Thank you for that advice. I know you can never depend on the weather but was hoping mild weather was still typical for that time of year. That has been my big question if we should just make our base in Sorrento as opposed to staying in Naples. We do tend to be more small city (town) people when we travel with the exception of the great Cities of course.
What are the best places to visit from Sorrento? Pompeii is important to us otherwise not sure. Capri, Almafi (sp) Coast?
You'll want to stay in Sorrento a minimum of 3 nights, since there is so much to do and see there. Naples is 70 minutes away by train (the Archeological museum is great and you could search out some wonderful pizza in the place it was invented). Pompeii is 30 minutes by train. You can take a ferry to Capri, or along the coast to Positano or Amalfi. Buses will also get you to those places for very minimal cost, and the buses are just next to the train station. One could also travel a bit further south to the Greek temple ruins in Paestum. Sorrento itself has a few things to see and the evening stroll is particularly nice walking along the narrow streets filled with cute colorful shops selling all things lemon.
Sorrento has the best connections to everywhere else. The train to Naples (Archaeology Museum is wonderful), Herculaneum, Pompeii, buses to Amalfi towns - Ravello, Positano . . ferry to Capri . Presumably the ferries to Amalfi coast are running in October. I was there in February!
That's great advice. I think we will just split our time between Rome and Sorrento as it sounds like a day trip to Naples would be enough and everywhere else is an easy commute from Sorrento. Anyone have a reason why they would disagree with this?
The main Naples train station is just a few blocks from the large pedestrian-only area of Naples and the archaeological museum. It is a very doable ride from Sorrento. Although it has a reputation as being a pickpocket haven, my experience on the train was that it was primarily commuters. I carried only what I needed for a day trip and felt quite comfortable. Coming back late afternoon, being a commuter train it was standing room about half the way - no worse than any metropolitan subway anywhere.
When developing your itinerary, do not overlook Herculaneum, another stop on the Circumvesuviana. It, too, was buried by the Vesuvius eruption, but in a manner that preserved much more structure and organic material. It is much smaller than Pompeii, but having seen both, it is my preference. By all means, see both if you have the time.
There is a lot to see in Naples besides the Archaeological Museum, see this:
http://www.campaniartecard.it/artecard_Regione.cfm. The 3 day card includes transportation.
Pays for itself if you see Pompeii, Arch. Museum and 4 circumvesuvian tickets. Reduced prices
on other sites. Covers the Sita bus on the AC and metro, busses in Naples.
How far away from Rome by train is Sorrento. Is it possible for a day-trip from Rome?
I would say it's too long for a day trip. By car with good traffic it's just around 3 hours one way. I took the train to Naples, then had
a private transfer to Sorrento. That took half the day.
The weather will still be mild but have a light waterproof jacket or light jacket w/umbrella handy. Have a second layer like a sweater. We have had sunny and 70s and rainy days with 50s, but overall more nicer days.
Hi Shelly.
The weather can be unpredictable in October. My husband and I were rained out in October 2013 ditching half of what we originally planned. We returned the same period in October 2014, and there was no rain until the very last day. A lot of walking involved. It is warm and a bit humid, too. We purposely chose Sorrento last year for all-weather conditions(access to train, bus, ferry, and car as well).
As for sightseeing, Circumvesuviana train covers the most. Yes, Pompeii is a must for first timers, but I found Herculaneum more fascinating. I appreciated there more because I have previously visited Pompeii a few years back. Oplontis(Villa Poppeia) is beautiful. It is a bit far from a train station, but villa San Marco in Stabiae has been our most favorite ruins. And you will have a whole new respect if you climb to the summit of Monte Vesuvio.
From Napoli, it's so easy to get to Sorrento by taking a ferry...straight shot to Sorrento in 35 minutes or so instead of taking a train for 70 minutes.
We are returning to Napoli this October as well. There is always "unfinished business" to cover, and we will be visiting Pozzuoli, Baia, Bacoli, etc.
Happy Planning!
Shelly, I don't see that you have said how many nights you will be spending in Italy. If time is limited, then certainly dividing your time between bases in Sorrento and Rome makes sense. But if you are spending more than 8 nights or so, there's a lot to be said for staying two or three nights in Naples, and even a night or two in Orvieto, which is 70 minutes from Rome by train. Last May I spent 4 nights in Sorrento and 3 nights in Naples, and enjoyed it all. Lots to see and experience in Naples, including an easy day trip to the magnificent Greeks ruins and museum in Paestum, maybe with a stop in Salerno along the way. In Naples I stayed at the Orsini46 B & B and it was wonderful and affordable. You can easily get to Pompeii and Herculaneum from either Sorrento or Naples, as both sites are in between the two cities.
