Sorrento is a small, beautiful,(hilly) easy to navigate town.
We stayed at a "hostel" http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187782-d1036311-Reviews-Ulisse_Deluxe_Hostel-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html
It is a hostel in name only. Our room was private, the bathroom ensuite and the breakfast every morning was delicious. It isn't fancy, but it was a great value and well located to downtown- down a small alley with very cool stores- I bought some beautiful pottery in this alley.
Sorrento was decked out in holiday splendor.
Yes it was cold at night, but the days were beautiful and sunny!
There were many festive things going on day and night. I wish I could have sat down and played Italian BINGO...It was different from American bingo, and speaking no Italian I would have been lost..just another reason to learn some of the language! I loved that it was at night in a small alley with a blaring loud speaker!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187782-d1985829-Reviews-Gelateria_Primavera-Sorrento_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html YOU MUST go in this place just to look around!
Mami Camila's is where we spent our New Year's Eve dinner. It is a cooking school during the day and a small restaurant at night. http://www.mamicamilla.com/dinner_of_New_Year.php
We ate a 7 course meal including drinks and wine, and then went to their rooftop to watch fire works over the city. It was a spectacular evening.
We had a few side trips while we stayed in Sorrento. The first was for a hike at Punta Campanella. http://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/natural-marine-reserve-of-punta-campanella
It was a great day for a hike that meandered through olive orchards, past small villas and emerged at the sea. This was a wonderful hike going down, but a bit more difficult going back up due to the elevation. But take your time and turn around often to see the stunning views of Capri. This hike was only about 35 minutes from Sorrento.
The next day we drove out to the Amalfi Coast. It was stunningly beautiful.
We fell in love with the little town of Ravello. We ate at a small restaurant, behind us in this picture, where the menus were hand drawn and colored by the owner- an older woman. I wish I could remember the name. It is located on the main square directly across from the parking near a boat launch.
Our next day we took the rental car and drove to Mt Vesuvius. I understand you can take the train there but then you need a taxi, bus or arrange a shuttle service to get you to the park entrance. The cost is about $8.00USD.
The hike up was very uphill- lots of necessary switchbacks. However, stopping to catch your breath rewarded you with views of Naples Bay. We read that you should arrive early in the morning because the clouds roll in quickly. We are glad we did. The picture above was taken on our way down. You can see that the clouds were invading. It was only noon-ish in this picture. I felt badly for the people who were struggling to get to the top. I don't think you would even be able to see the crater!
The picture below was taken on way up. You can see the city of Naples and then the glittery water in the Bay of Naples It was so beautiful. We could even see Pompeii from one vantage point.
Finally making it to the top we found a person to take our family picture.
Here is the crater..pictures don't do it justice... there were many colors.
Of course your kids will jump the fences and get near the crater's edge.
Above you can see the clouds beginning to roll into the crater.
The last day in the Sorrento area we took the train out to Pompeii -we chose not to drive. (Parking is expensive and there are reported problems with car vandalism). The train was cheap and took us within blocks of the main entrance. This place is amazing. The entrance fee is about 15USD -well worth every penny. Bring a good guidebook with you to Pompeii. There are so many things you would miss without a good guidebook. Or consider hiring a guide, if reading and walking is not your thing.
Let me give you my perspective on Pompeii- it is all about the details. If you just walk through and look at the big things ie. the amphitheater...
or the monuments
You will miss the small things such as the stones in the road that tell you this WAS a two-way street. You can fit two chariots going over the stones- one in each direction-( it also is fun to re-create Abbey Road- even when Mom screws it up!) There are 2 stones on one- way streets and there are blocking stones to indicate dead end or closed road- cool!
The curb edge is for the once a day city wide toilet flush- they had indoor plumbing.
You would miss the communal cooking holes that used to hold fire below and cooking vessels above. This could have also been a restaurant. These are not toilets!- again you need a guidebook!
The frescoes were well preserved.
The frescoes in the brothels even depicted what services that the prostitute would render.
"Dude looks like a Lady"- 'nuff said.
There are also the dogs of Pompeii. They collect money for the dogs and care for them- they were all strays and now they all hang out by the snack bar by day and go into their dog houses at night. They are all pretty sweet and seem to get along with each other.
There are beautiful back alleyways that you are free to explore -do it- get away from the main thoroughfare crowds.
There are also gruesome body displays of the actual people who got "mummified" by the ash from Vesuvius.
I really appreciate the hard work taking place to restore this magnificent destination.
After 5 days of exploring the Sorrento region, I must say, travelling here should be on everyone's must do list.
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