What base would you suggest for Herculaneum and Pompeii that isn't Sorrento!

[unamo]

Solo late 60s woman here. I can't do hills which I think is the case in Sorrento, and anyway I'm not sure I'd like the "holiday" vibe. Also I'd go well off season either November or February and things might be closed there anyway, which would be disappointing!

I was thinking of Pompeii itself, or Salerno. Would anyone know if they would be suitable i.e. not shut down off season, or could you recommend anywhere else? I need to be on the train line and I'm not sure I'd like Naples itself, although I will spend the last day there to see the museum.

Sorry for being so picky, but would love to hear from anyone with suggestions.

Naples isn't as bad as it is portrayed, we loved it, but Salerno would be handy for Paestum which I haven't yet seen but would love to visit.
Yes, don't miss the archaeological museum in Naples and pay the extra for the forbidden room! You also get to walk over real mosaics en route to the naughty bits 😉

We stayed in Rome (in November) and went on the high speed train to Naples, then a wee short train to Pompeii. Really easy, lovely day trip and Rome was lovely, easy walking.

I'm leaning towards staying in Salerno now. I had forgotten about Paestum, so it's on the list! I was just looking at trains and I can also get a train from Salerno to Caserta which looks amazing. I am just not sure if Salerno is ok for a single older traveller, but I'm sure it is, Italians are amazing people and it looks like a lively town all year round.

I'm just back from a trip to Rome and Ostia Antica. Exhausting in the unusually high temps for late September but a truly amazing experience. I need to rest up now before the next adventure!

We stayed in Salerno then took ferry to Amalfi. It was kind of quiet certainly on the pedistrianised street we stayed on, this was Easter time, but definitely lived in. We ate pizza at Pizzeria Errico Porzio Salerno, it was cheap and tasty.