We will be there in Late December, early January.
Any suggestions on whether to stay in Sorrento or Naples for a couple nights, so we can visit Pompeii?
We will have just been in Rome for a while, so the large city aspect of Naples is shying me towards Sorrento.
thanks!
Kevin
Sorrento gets my vote.
Hi Kevin: Glad to help, your question is a FAQ here.
90% or more of travelers on this forum choose to sleep in Sorrento and visit Pompeii as an easy day trip from Sorrento.
You'll get a wider selection of places to sleep if you look at Rick's picks for Sorrento in his book, Italy.
Or go here to learn how you can quickly search this forum for the many prior discussions of sleeping in Sorrento
Just chiming in to say...stay in Sorrento. After Rome it will be a welcome calming place.
Easy to get to Pompei from Sorrento. When we visited, we stopped in a travel agency by the train station and signed up for a bus tour of Pompei and Vesuvio. I highly recommend that way. Great tour guide, relaxing ride there.
We used Rick's book for a hotel, can't remember the name, but that was also 3 years ago...might have changed.
If you go in December/Jan, make sure to bring a rain jacket...that is the rainy season for Sorrento.
Also, if you are staying for more than a couple of days...see if you can make it to Ravello. Beautiful town on the top of the hill.
This late in the year, a lot of shops might be closed.
Thanks for the help, much appreciated!
Sorrento definitely! Good advice to take the bus tour as we didn't and wished we'd had a guide. Plus it is one less day on the train there and back. You will appreciate the cool weather in Pompeii in winter. We stayed for two nights at the B&B Casa Astarita in Sorrento, just off the main square. It is Rick's book. Very clean, great breakfast, and excellent service. Our window opened onto the narrow street below but it wasn't noisy. I've learned to bring earplugs wherever I stay. We paid 100 euros a night.
Hi Kevin,
I also recommend staying in Sorrento. Very easy to get to Pompeii from there.
We stayed at The Ulisse Deluxe: http://www.ulissedeluxe.com/hostel.htm . It was very affordable (65-70 EUR a night). It was very clean and had a huge breakfast you could add on. The location was also nice. Just off the main shopping street and near the Marina Grande. This one is also recommended by Rick Steves.
If you do go to Sorrento one of the best restaurants we ever at at was called Ristorante Delfino. It's on the Marina Grande on the far left (from facing the bay). Check it out. They would get seafood fresh every day (and believe me you could really tell how fresh it was).
Have a great trip!
Try this place the Ulisse. I believe it's in The Book! Prices from about 60 Euro per night, breakfast extra.
http://www.venere.com/accommodation/sorrento/ulisse-deluxe-hostel/?ref=27053#
After the Christmas/New Year period ie from about 6 January, Sorrento will be in semi-hibernation. However not everything will be shut, those local people who have not gone away for a well earned break will still be going about their business. Pompeii will be open but with shorter hours, closes at about 5pm.
Beat me to it Maria!
From Sorrento you can take the train directly to Pompeii - very cheap.
If you're on a budget, I'd recommend do Pompeii on your own. The commuter train from Sorrento will take you to Pompeii Scavi station for less than 3 euro. Buy a round trip ticket. You'll find guides at the gate waiting for your business. In off season, I've heard of rate as low as 30-40 euro for 2 hour tour. Then you can wonder on your own. We spent 5 hours there last week. Pack water, fruit or some light snack.
