Tip for Capri/Sorrento/Naples
Discussion
raceboy said:
One trip ends the next appears on the horizon....
Got a 3 location holiday booked for July, hotels all booked, transport booked, but any do's or more importantly don'ts for Capri, Sorrento and Naples, current plans mainly involve drinking Limoncello and eating Pizza
Depends on budget really.Got a 3 location holiday booked for July, hotels all booked, transport booked, but any do's or more importantly don'ts for Capri, Sorrento and Naples, current plans mainly involve drinking Limoncello and eating Pizza
But a general tip is take mosquito repellent! Sorrento can be bad for the little b
ds, and they are well represented in the other areas you mention..
If you have not been to Pompeii you can get a direct train there from Sorrento.....a quick journey. And if you do go, I recommend you get guide to show you round.
Also, a day trip to the island of Ischia is recommended.
When in Sorrento I hope for your sake it is cruise ship free. When we were in Sorrento there were 3 cruise ships per day for several days and the place was bombed.
R.
Also, a day trip to the island of Ischia is recommended.
When in Sorrento I hope for your sake it is cruise ship free. When we were in Sorrento there were 3 cruise ships per day for several days and the place was bombed.
R.
Know what you mean about cruise ships, just back from a week in Lisbon and that was plagued with them, worst thing about going on holiday is all the other folk on holiday. 
Well it's three days in each location so hoping for some cruise free days.
Hoping Capri is a bit more chilled once the last ferry leaves.
Well it's three days in each location so hoping for some cruise free days.
Hoping Capri is a bit more chilled once the last ferry leaves.
My wife and I were in all those areas in May 2019. Scenery is stunning. We were in a hotel in Sorrento for a few days but then chartered a yacht and sailed along the coast to Capri. We are not really historic site fans but went to Pompeii on a friends recommendation and glad we did. As someone mentioned earlier, the train from Sorrento to Pompeii is easy, cheap and scenic. If you do go then get there early and get a private tour. Costs a bit but worth every Euro. You will be finished by the time the madness of the coach tours hit peak volumes and can leave and get back to Sorrento for late lunch. The beach clubs (really pontoons not beaches) in Sorrento were not really busy in May but I imagine in July will be manic. There was a "normal" beach area more towards the west side of Sorrento area.
Food everywhere was very good (even had great meal in Naples airport!). Positano was crazy busy and got bored queueing in the streets so sat in a restaurant with a good view and chilled.
Capri was very strange in that it was like Bond Street/Knightsbridge in a white washed hilltop village! Restaurants there were actually not as expensive as I thought they could be given the location. I found that even in May all these areas could get really busy so general tip would be go where you want to see early then chill out with a late lunch and/or drinks by the sea.
You mention drinking Limoncello and eating pizza and you are in for a treat as Limoncello there is so much better than any version I have ever drunk here and pizza was pretty good too.
Food everywhere was very good (even had great meal in Naples airport!). Positano was crazy busy and got bored queueing in the streets so sat in a restaurant with a good view and chilled.
Capri was very strange in that it was like Bond Street/Knightsbridge in a white washed hilltop village! Restaurants there were actually not as expensive as I thought they could be given the location. I found that even in May all these areas could get really busy so general tip would be go where you want to see early then chill out with a late lunch and/or drinks by the sea.
You mention drinking Limoncello and eating pizza and you are in for a treat as Limoncello there is so much better than any version I have ever drunk here and pizza was pretty good too.
Don't bother with Naples. It's a dump. It maybe the birthplace of pizza, but pizza has been improved since then. See below.
Having said that though, the Veiled Christ is there, which is exquisite. https://www.museosansevero.it/en/the-chapel-and-th...
The official best pizza in the world can be found in nearby Caiazzo. https://www.pepeingrani.it/en
Book, and go for the early sitting. It really is that good. You can look smug as you leave after your dinner and see the cues of hopefuls waiting to see if they can get in.
Pompeii and Herculaneum are very much worth a visit. Take a whole day for Pompeii. Perhaps half a day for Herculaneum.
The Circumvesuviana train that goes to all these places is notorious for pickpockets. Don't look like a tourist.
Having said that though, the Veiled Christ is there, which is exquisite. https://www.museosansevero.it/en/the-chapel-and-th...
The official best pizza in the world can be found in nearby Caiazzo. https://www.pepeingrani.it/en
Book, and go for the early sitting. It really is that good. You can look smug as you leave after your dinner and see the cues of hopefuls waiting to see if they can get in.
Pompeii and Herculaneum are very much worth a visit. Take a whole day for Pompeii. Perhaps half a day for Herculaneum.
The Circumvesuviana train that goes to all these places is notorious for pickpockets. Don't look like a tourist.
Thorougly enjoyed our Napoli trip last year!
Crazy place.
Defiitely do Pompeii (we used Get your Guide app and were fortunate to have a most emglightening guide. Exceptional!)
Seek out some of the cathedrals in the Centro Storico. mind blowing interiors.
Be very wary of pickpockets in the central area.
Crazy place.
Defiitely do Pompeii (we used Get your Guide app and were fortunate to have a most emglightening guide. Exceptional!)
Seek out some of the cathedrals in the Centro Storico. mind blowing interiors.
Be very wary of pickpockets in the central area.
We loved Naples, do the catacombs and pompeii, hope for a quiet damp day to put off the crowds
Best pizza we had was here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHiVtnQ7418hZtZeA?g_st=com...
We ate a lot of pizza
Another place to visit for a beer and a pasty https://maps.app.goo.gl/zTFUff7TpnANF8ok8?g_st=com...
Took the train to Sorrento lovely place but out of season it was very quiet so missed atmosphere
Best pizza we had was here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHiVtnQ7418hZtZeA?g_st=com...
We ate a lot of pizza
Another place to visit for a beer and a pasty https://maps.app.goo.gl/zTFUff7TpnANF8ok8?g_st=com...
Took the train to Sorrento lovely place but out of season it was very quiet so missed atmosphere
Sebastian Tombs said:
The official best pizza in the world can be found in nearby Caiazzo. https://www.pepeingrani.it/en
Book, and go for the early sitting. It really is that good. You can look smug as you leave after your dinner and see the cues of hopefuls waiting to see if they can get in.
That place looks excellent, but how hard is it to get to from Naples using public transport? Book, and go for the early sitting. It really is that good. You can look smug as you leave after your dinner and see the cues of hopefuls waiting to see if they can get in.
Everything that's been said above but in addition - bus to Bomerano and do the Sentiero Degli Dei to Positano - the views are stunning.
Pompeii gets blisteringly hot but is truly mind blowing
Perucciano Garden in Sorrento for lunch or dinner - allegedly where cannelloni was invented!
People watching in the square - I used to sit and drink beer and while away the hours as Mrs Loto shopped. Once an original Abarth Fiat 500 pulled up right in front of me (engine cover propped natch) and a stunning Italian girl in her late 20's got out - no one does style like the Italians
Pompeii gets blisteringly hot but is truly mind blowing
Perucciano Garden in Sorrento for lunch or dinner - allegedly where cannelloni was invented!
People watching in the square - I used to sit and drink beer and while away the hours as Mrs Loto shopped. Once an original Abarth Fiat 500 pulled up right in front of me (engine cover propped natch) and a stunning Italian girl in her late 20's got out - no one does style like the Italians
Good suggestions already - we did a Pompeii / Vesuvius day (end of last summer) that was very good, and guides always improve any such tour.
Other observations:
- the geology (which I didn't appreciate beforehand) means that there are essentially no beaches - everywhere is a sheer cliff to the sea. Personally I didn't bother with the beach clubs but I am sure they are nice if lying on a sunlounger does it for you.
- the geology makes the roads terrible, therefore
- Capri is a weird place (too rich and too crowded) - Anacapri I thought much nicer and calmer and you can ride the cable car up to the peak - we ate outside at La Zagara which was very good
- If you are feeling active, search for Path of the Gods - you can walk all or part up into the mountains from the coast. I didn't do it as only discovered it when stopped for a meal in Pianillo (?)
Other observations:
- the geology (which I didn't appreciate beforehand) means that there are essentially no beaches - everywhere is a sheer cliff to the sea. Personally I didn't bother with the beach clubs but I am sure they are nice if lying on a sunlounger does it for you.
- the geology makes the roads terrible, therefore
- don't bother to hire a car
- marvel at the bus drivers' skill and patience
- be terrified by the suicidal scooters
- Capri is a weird place (too rich and too crowded) - Anacapri I thought much nicer and calmer and you can ride the cable car up to the peak - we ate outside at La Zagara which was very good
- If you are feeling active, search for Path of the Gods - you can walk all or part up into the mountains from the coast. I didn't do it as only discovered it when stopped for a meal in Pianillo (?)
My tip would be don't do Pompeii, but do Herculaneum instead. It's better and far smaller, so more manageable. Pompeii is great but be prepared to walk for ages on cobbled streets.
I would also definitely go to Naples. Yes, it's scruffy, but it has amazing food and a real old world Italy vibe, with narrow streets and washing lines full of washing going from one side to the other. I loved it.
I would also definitely go to Naples. Yes, it's scruffy, but it has amazing food and a real old world Italy vibe, with narrow streets and washing lines full of washing going from one side to the other. I loved it.
andburg said:
Best pizza we had was here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHiVtnQ7418hZtZeA?g_st=com...
That’s not too far from the hotel, will give it a look. 
The one thing we love about everywhere in Italy is you don’t need to look for an Italian Restaurant, there’ll Italians
Edited by raceboy on Thursday 10th April 09:10
TwigtheWonderkid said:
My tip would be don't do Pompeii, but do Herculaneum instead. It's better and far smaller, so more manageable. Pompeii is great but be prepared to walk for ages on cobbled streets.
I would also definitely go to Naples. Yes, it's scruffy, but it has amazing food and a real old world Italy vibe, with narrow streets and washing lines full of washing going from one side to the other. I loved it.
Do both - Herculaneum is impressive for the completeness of the buildings and Pompeii is impressive for being able to see the scale of the city, gain a sense of place, and how it is laid out. Both have different qualities and if you are there for any length of time doing both sites is very easy and for me a no brainerI would also definitely go to Naples. Yes, it's scruffy, but it has amazing food and a real old world Italy vibe, with narrow streets and washing lines full of washing going from one side to the other. I loved it.
There's a wonderful little lemon grove right in the centre of Sorrento, and they sell Limoncelli from the lemons grown there, but also licorice, basil, and other surprisingly tasty aperitivi.
I second the Amaro suggestion. I have become a little bit addicted to the bitter, complex and unusual flavours of Italian amari am always trying new cocktails with them in.
Capri I remember as wonderful for a great boat trip over, an afternoon's wandering about the tiny lanes, and the old Fiat convertibles they have as taxis (that cannot really go anywhere because the roads are too narrow, but they look nice on the waterfront).
Positano is achingly pretty, and very very crowded with tourists with a hairy bus ride along the cliffs. Book a restaurant ahead of arrival if you intend to stay for lunch. It doesn't really matter which one.
Italy is an amazing country. Personally I prefer the north, but I have been there loads and had great times every trip.
I second the Amaro suggestion. I have become a little bit addicted to the bitter, complex and unusual flavours of Italian amari am always trying new cocktails with them in.
Capri I remember as wonderful for a great boat trip over, an afternoon's wandering about the tiny lanes, and the old Fiat convertibles they have as taxis (that cannot really go anywhere because the roads are too narrow, but they look nice on the waterfront).
Positano is achingly pretty, and very very crowded with tourists with a hairy bus ride along the cliffs. Book a restaurant ahead of arrival if you intend to stay for lunch. It doesn't really matter which one.
Italy is an amazing country. Personally I prefer the north, but I have been there loads and had great times every trip.
Oh. An absolute MUST do in Napoli is Palazzo Venezia.
It’s right in Centro Historico. It’s an ‘arts’ venue. But with the most amazing garden and bar. Feels like you’re walking into someone’s house and the ‘bar’ is just a serving counter but then you go into the garden.
You’re on the first floor of a very old city centre building and you have ….this. Just marvellous.
We went back there on a Sunday afternoon and some random customer was playing beautiful classical music on the piano that sits in the Roman Villa (genuine) by the garden.
We only stopped in for a beer. Two bottles of very fine red wine later we departed.
Can’t hear any traffic or the general hustle and bustle. A beautiful beautiful relaxing spot.
An oasis of tranquility in an utterly barking mad city.
It’s right in Centro Historico. It’s an ‘arts’ venue. But with the most amazing garden and bar. Feels like you’re walking into someone’s house and the ‘bar’ is just a serving counter but then you go into the garden.
You’re on the first floor of a very old city centre building and you have ….this. Just marvellous.
We went back there on a Sunday afternoon and some random customer was playing beautiful classical music on the piano that sits in the Roman Villa (genuine) by the garden.
We only stopped in for a beer. Two bottles of very fine red wine later we departed.
Can’t hear any traffic or the general hustle and bustle. A beautiful beautiful relaxing spot.
An oasis of tranquility in an utterly barking mad city.
Edited by Every day a journey on Wednesday 9th April 20:36
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