Last minute trip to Sicily and Amalfi Coast - a few questions

I wouldn't subject myself to two trips by ferry, train, or plane in order to have three nights in Sicily. To me, it makes no sense to spend so many hours traveling to a destination with over two weeks' worth of sights and then leave three days later. I think that time could be better used on the mainland. Save Sicily for a later trip when you'll be able to give it the time it deserves--enough time to justify the hassle of getting there.

If you absolutely must touch down in Sicily, spend all 3 nights in the same place.

Thank you for your comment. Yes, 3-4 nights might not be a lot in Sicily but it's better than nothing. We watched a Rick Steve's show and Sicily looked nice. I think we will fly to Sicily from Rome the morning after we arrive in Rome since we are already near the airport. That eliminates one ferry ride. This would give have a day in Palermo on the first day.

My question above is would it be better to do 7-8 nights in Sorrento or split them and do some in Amalfi? I looked and it could be hard to get 8 nights in one place close to town in. Isn't it harder to do day trips from Amalfi?

Thank you,

I would spend those days in Sicily over Sorrento and Amalfi Coast any day.

Sicily is worth the trip, just not this trip. But you seem dead set on this, so Palermo for all three nights. Day trip to Monreale.

Sorrento is worth staying in mostly for sightseeing on the Bay of Naples. We’re talking Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Capri and Mt. Vesuvius for the most part. Day trips to the Amalfi Coast are doable as well. Your friend’s point (and mine) would be that the places you list are ON the Amalfi Coast. So, why not stay there? No offense to Sorrento, but if you thought Sorrento was pretty and that’s the driving force, well… the Amalfi towns will blow your socks off. I’d listen to your friend.

Personally, I recommend splitting your time between Sorrento and AC, and make a point of seeing Naples. Perhaps even stay in Naples before AC.

Have you done any preliminary research into available lodging in your budget range? Shoulder season is now still seeing the crowds. Perhaps available lodging will drive your itinerary? Good luck!

If you fly overnight from the US to Rome (How much sleep do you think you'll get? Are you in business class with a lie-flat seat?), and allow a large, prudent buffer before scheduled departure time for the Palermo flight since it (apparently) will be on a separate ticket, it will probably be mid-afternoon by the time you're settled in Palermo. If you aren't a sleep-deprived, jetlagged zombie at that point, you're far luckier than I am. Realistically, you're going to have two days there--and you're planning to spend one of them in Cefalu.

I don't know what time your transatlantic flight arrives, but unless it's super early, I wouldn't risk the 9:20 AM departure. The next Rome-Palermo flight is at 1:15 PM, with arrival scheduled at 2:25 PM. Then you have to get into the city.

I use skyscanner.com to find schedules for intra-European flights. Book on the actual airline's website.

Like you we saw Pompeii off of a cruise years ago, but the excursion also included the Amalfi Coast and we dreamed of going back. We did in April this year and spent 11 days in Sorrento. What we discovered was that a couple of day trips to the coast from Sorrento was enough. We much preferred Capri. The highlight though was a deep dive into Pompeii, Naples and Herculaneum where we spent a total of 4 days and not just the quick 2 hour in-and-out that most people do of Pompeii.

I haven't been to Sicily yet so I can't comment on the right amount of time, but I do know we don't regret spending all of our time based in Sorrento.

This friend thought we should spend less time in Sorrento and spend at least 3 night in Amalfi. He recommended some hotels. Isn't it harder to do trips from Amalfi? Maybe 8-9 nights on coast would be better.

You suggest (correctly) that your friend is a reliable source of advice, because of his frequent, long visits. You simply have to compare your idea of a vacation with what you know to be his/her idea of a vacation. (I agree that your determination to go to Sicily, come hell or high water, indicates that anyone else's opinion or advice is not really welcome. This is like combining a trip to the Delaware Shore with a trip to Cape Cod.)

Sorrento is notable specifically for its transit connections. Your observation about trips is 110% CORRECT. If trips are the objective, then the advice to stay in Amalfi-town is poor. If lazing around in idyllic countryside (?) with little to do (especially in Shoulder Season!) is desirable, then Amalfi-town or similar is a great idea.

Sorrento is a purpose-built, postwar Resort Town, built on a cliffside, with only one tiny beach, sandwiched between two marinas. We spent five nights there, going on a daytrip every day. It was perfect for our needs. Both Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are extremely difficult to book at the last minute.

Thank you all for your valuable information. I normally don't plan big trips like this at the last minute but sometimes you have to take advantage of the time to travel when time off work allows you to do so. After our overnight flight and a layover, we will arrive in Rome at 8pm. I hope we can sleep on the beds on the airplane. We should be rested enough for the next mornings flight to Palermo. We will have three and a half days in Palermo and then take the night ferry back to Naples and then a train to Sorrento.

I checked into several hotels Rick recommended in his book and almost all were booked. One was about $600 a night. I'll pass on that one. Oh well. Since my airfare only cost $200 I guess I can splurge more on hotels.

Thank you again for the information.