snorkeling near Sorrento

This link is for a scuba diving outfit based in Sorrento. http://www.sorrentodiving.it/en/ Another link for beaches in and around Sorrento. My favourite (pebble) beach is at Marina del Cantone. There is a bus service from Sorrento. http://www.sorrentodreaming.com/what-to-see/beaches-of-sorrento/

Michelle: Please explain your use of "tourist trap" with reference to Capri. So often people use that expression for a place they consider too expensive. A true tourist trap is one that does not deliver what it promises. Capri is very beautiful. I have sweet memories of it. You can visit it or not but you needn't denigrate it with the phrase "tourist trap" unless you have evidence.

I think of a 'tourist trap' as a place not that doesn't deliver what it promises, but rather a place where prices are overly inflated because those who offer services to tourists know they have a captive audience and can therefore get away with being a bit unscrupulous about what they charge for goods and services. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary definition is 'a place that attracts and exploits tourists'. If prices of essentials like food and water, transportation to access the island, etc. are highly inflated over prices in the surrounding communities where locals live, then I suppose it would be fair to call Capri a 'tourist trap'.

Your point is taken, Rose, but I await Michelle's source for her saying "I can see it is expensive tourist trap."

Thank you Linda for you helpful suggestions. Would others who offer no real answers please vent someplace else.

I'm quite uncomfortable with the expression "tourist trap" too. I guess I think mostly of tourist trap where all the money goes to the owner, both for admission and entertainment, as well as food. Somewhere like Disneyland. I still like Disneyland.

My own take on Capri is that it was extremely beautiful but has a Beverly Hills cache (i.e. exclusivity, elegance, etc) and exploits it to the fullest with pricing and advertising - this in a country that has many, many beautiful substitutes that are far less expensive...so to each his own. Had I known then what I know now, I would have based my self in either Anacapri ( a little less expensive, although not much, I think) or Sorrento or Ischia. My memory of Capri was wonderful, but each day a ferryboat of tourists would descend on this small place and it felt a bit overrun...luckily there were so many little alleys an labyrinths all over the place that you could still feel like you were there(somewhat)alone (I went off season though, in Sept). A "tourist trap" can simply be interpreted as a person's lower valuation of a place (and its perceived offerings) relative to the expense to travel and spend time there - in this case, the price tag on a cruise's offering. Since each valuation differs by person, I don't really take offense to the term - even if I liked the place much more than they did.

I don't know about Disneyland Paris, but I believe the food purveyors at Disneyland in Orlando and Anaheim are concessions - in other words the $$ spent by visitors on food and drink don't go to the Disney corporation, though they may take a cut. At least I'm fairly sure that's how it used to be long ago when I went there.

Michelle, I loved my day on the island of Ischia at a thermal resort. Stayed all day in the pools and on the beach. The water in the bay was calm enough for snorkeling but I didn't see anyone snorkeling. Next time I go to Ischia I will explore more of the island along with enjoying the thermal baths again. Morning ferry from Sorrento to the island and back was very do-able but next time I plan on staying on the island for 2-3 days. Ciao!

what is thermal baths

Google is your friend.

:) :) :)

Thank you Ed smiles michelle