Sant Agnello, Sorrento - tips for trips to Vesuvius, Pompei and Naples?

[tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz]

Afternoon lovely lot

Just that really ... staying in July with DD (14) and DH and looking at a few day trips so wondering if anyone has tips on the above. So, is it doable by train, best way to book tickets, tips when we're they're, that kind of thing.

I know Herculeum is a popular alternative to Pompei too.

Naples is a bit marmite too and we've never been so ideas on that would be good too.

I'm desperate to do Vesuvius (DD less so!) so wondering if we need to book through a local company or can we do it ourselves?

Thanks all

Very easy it to do it yourselves.
Go to the train station in Sorrento - the line (Circumvesuviana) runs up to Naples, with stops for Pompeii, Herculaneum & Naples. For Vesuvius go to Herculaneum & either get a taxi or there might be a bus.
Tickets are (were) cheap, train times can be found online.
The stop for Pompeii is practically at the gates into the sites; for Herculaneum just exit the station & walk straight down the hill to the bottom - the site is there - ignore the taxi touts.
Also the Sita bus service round there is very good & you can get the bus down the coast to Positano, Amalfi, Minori etc - you can change at Amalfi to catch the local bus up to Ravello.
Enjoy! One of my favourite places in the world.

Thanks Squirrel ** that's helpful!

Daft q but if we don't do an excursion up Vesuvius is it safe?!! And walkways etc obvious?!!

Don't book hours and hours of your holiday for Naples. It's not that great but the people are super friendly

I would go to Ischia- it was lovely

I've not been to Vesuvius so can't advise, but I believe you can do it independently, you just won't have a guide?
Same with Pompeii etc, if you go independently you can hire the audio guides or see if you can join a tour at the site. Otherwise just get a really good guide book.

Did Vesuvius last year. Perfectly safe, yes. Bus takes you up as far as it can, then you get out and walk, which takes about 30/40 minutes up, and the same down. All very easy.

There is a station at St Agnello. It was our nearest station.

We booked a boat trip to Amalfi. If you go downtown the harbour in Sorrento it is much cheaper to book direct than via an agent.

The streets in St Agnello are narrow with narrow pavements and lots of traffic, and it isn't somewhere to stroll. You can't walk along the coast because it is built up. However the middle of Sorrento is pedestrianised.

Oh and take comfortable shoes for Pompeii. No heels or flip-flops.

Thanks all good to hear thanks!

If there are any reccs for nice place to grab a bite to eat near Vesuvius and places in Naples that would be amazing

I don't all much!

Great thread! We are going next may so please post upon your return op!

We stayed in Sant Agnello at Easter - very easy to hop on the cheap train to Pompeii and Herculaneum, and to the place where you can catch a bus up to Vesuvius. Same line takes you into Naples which is a busy working city - quite a contrast to Sorrento, etc!

It’s a 20min walk to Sorrento which is fine, but I agree with PP, the roads generally are set up for cars and mopeds, not pedestrians.

We went to Capri and on the chair lift, which was a bit scary but good! And Amalfi which was gorgeous.

Pizzas were fantastic everywhere we went - I think DH had one every day!

I've joined a really helpful Facebook page - stayed in Sant'Agnello a few years ago and didn't get much out of it. The page has been really helpful - I've booked yours with Tui for Herculaneum and Vesuvius/Pompeii and ditched the islands - it's so crowded already, and I can't face juggling trains and kids in August. Booked the Three Tenors and looking for an ice cream making activity.

I certainly will

Thanks everyone for suggestions!

It might be lovely and warm at the bottom of Vesuvius, but it will be windy and cold at the top. Take a jacket or fleece.

Try to get to Pompeii when it opens - we got some stunning photos before the crowds arrived. The trip up to Vesuvius I think we just got on a bus near the station, then a very bumpy ride in an off road vehicle almost to the top. There was a small shop selling plastic cups of wine

and I can't face juggling trains and kids in August.

The trains don't have aircon (or didn't when we were there) so a tour in an aircon coach could be a better option. You really do need a guide to get the most out of Pompeii anyway.

When you go to Pompeii take lots of water. there is no shade and it gets very hot. I sweated buckets.

I'm so envious Op. You are going to one of my most favourite places. We have been a few times. Your DD would love the cable car seats on Capri (Funicolare Di Capri). Views to die for at the top.

We did Herculaneum last year and I personally preferred Pompeii but DH preferred Herculaneum. We visited both using the train although we did struggle walking back up the hill to the station when we visited Herculaneum but it was in August and we are 60!

You will have the most fabulous time Op. We are going to Crete this year and although I'm looking forward to it I'm really sad we won't be going back to Sorrento.

The stop for Herculaneum on the circumvesuviana is Ercolano. For any of these trips, get there for opening if you can. By 1030 / 11 they're pretty busy. Also make sure you have hats covering back of neck as it will be hot in July and as previous posters have mentioned, there's little shade on archaeological sites generally. It's quite easy to get sunstroke if you're not prepared. Having said that, just the best place. And a trip to the archaeological museum in Naples after to see how the houses were furnished is a must I'm sure you will love it!

We stayed in St Agnello years ago, a great location just outside central Sorrento. We could walk to the local train station and our hotel ran a shuttle bus to central Sorrento.

Would second trips to Pompeii and Naples. From memory a lot of Naples was closed in the afternoon - worth thinking about to go in the morning or later on.

If you get the coastal bus to Positano/Amalfi, take the further short ride up to Ravello. You must visit Villa Cimbrone.

Capri is meh, Anacapri better with the cable car ride.

We honeymooned on Ischia, was a lovely place.

@RampantIvy thank you that's handy to know, I might make the kids pack their empty water bottles and fill up before we go.

DH and I went to Sorrento last year , absolutely loved it .
I’d recommend the Ristorante O’Parruchiano in Sorrento , beautiful building and gardens and very welcoming and friendly staff.
We also enjoyed an afternoon on the little blue train , think it was called Due Golfi - yes it’s very “touristy”, but great fun !

We stayed in Naples recently and we were near Via Benedetto Croce, which is a great street for wandering along and eating - its crowded so obviously take precautions for pickpockets as you would anywhere. There is plenty of street food Italian style and its near to the tube station Dante - or you could talk from the station.

Pompeii hasn't got any shade so I would want to go in the morning in July or take umbrellas. We got a tour for 40 euro for 2 hours when we got to the station.Trains are really good and not expensive

Place marking as I'm back with a few questions shortly 😁