Sleep in Sorrento

PLANNED ACTIVITES

MT. VESUVIUS & POMPEII 

9:00AM | Train from Sorrento to Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri

10:30AM-6:00PM | Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Tour

10:30AM-12:30PM | Guided tour of Pompeii

12:30PM-2:00PM | Lunch on your own nearby

2:00PM-5:30PM | Mt. Vesuvius hike and tour

6:00-7:00PM | Train back to Sorrento

7:15PM-8:15PM | Get ready for dinner & ask hotel arrange a taxi

8:30PM | Dinner at Bagni Delfino for fresh seafood on the water

TIPS

GETTING THERE

Take the earliest Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento Station and get off at the Pompei Scavi-Villa dei Misteri stop (about an hour ride). You will buy these tickets right at the ticket window.The Circumvesuviana train can get crowded with commuters, so I recommend using the Campania Express train to return. It was designed to cater to tourists, has fewer stops, and is less crowded. You can book tickets for it here: Campania Express EN | EAV srl.

TOUR BOOKING

We booked this Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Small Group Tour so we could see both sights in one visit. Since we did not rent a car, logistics were a bit easier and we ensured we had transportation from Pompeii directly to Mt. Vesuvius. 

EATING

After our tour of Pompeii, we had some time for a lunch break on our own. The restaurants within walking distance were pretty touristy/overpriced, but we just popped into and enjoyed a little lunch break before meeting back up with the group to visit Mt. Vesuvius.

THE HIKE

Mt. Vesuvius was a longer and steeper hike than we expected, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes.

Sleep in Sorrento

PLANNED ACTIVITES

COOKING CLASS 

9:00AM | Breakfast at hotel

10:00AM-12:00PM | Relax at private beach at hotel

12:00PM | Lunch at the Inn Bufalito

4:30PM | Take taxi to cooking class

5:00PM-8:00PM | Cooking Class with Mama Lucia (she is amazing!)

TIPS

PRIVATE BEACH

We loved soaking up the sun and enjoying the views at the private beach at our hotel. It is essentially a large deck with lounge chairs, places to jump in and swim, and expansive views of the cliffs and water.

GETTING THERE

We asked the hotel to help book a taxi for us to get to our cooking class. It is fairly remote, and we found this easier than worrying about the bus schedule. Alternatively, if you choose to take the bus, you can take the bus of the public line (called SITA or EAV) from Sorrento train station with final Massa Lubrense.

COOKING CLASS

We booked a class with Mama Lucia and absolutely loved this magical experience. The class is at Lucia’s home with an incredible sunset view of Capri. Lucia makes you feel like you are family. We learned how to make pizza in her amazing brick oven pizza in the traditional Neapolitan style. She offers all kinds of different class options from pizza, pasta, mozzarella, limoncello and more. She had a large class earlier in the day, so she offered us a later time so we could have our own class with just two other people which made our experience so hands-on and special. 

Sleep in Sorrento

PLANNED ACTIVITIES

VISIT AMALFI TOWN & RAVELLO

8:00AM | Breakfast at hotel

9:00AM | Head to Amalfi town

10:00AM-11:00AM | Explore Amalfi town

11:00AM-12:00PM | Head to Ravello

1:00-4:00PM | Have some lunch at Ristorante Da Salvatore and enjoy in the views

Afternoon | Explore Ravello

6:00PM | Head back to Sorrento

7:30PM | Dinner at Ristorante Il Buco for a fancy and fun Michelin star experience

TIPS

RAVELLO

I would have loved to spend more time or even a night here. Ravello is quaint, full of old-world charm, and feels like it is a world of its own 1,000 feet above the sea. It is the perfect place to just wander and see the pretty church, gardens, and villas.

LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES

Hire a driver and car for the day: I recommend splurging and hiring a driver for the day. You’ll get to enjoy the scenic drive and will have a lot less to manage in terms of logistics. Transportation can get dicey otherwise – the ferry schedule can vary and be unpredictable due to weather and demand, and the buses get overcrowded and can be unreliable, and parking is difficult to impossible. We ended up taking the ferry from Sorrento and couldn’t get a bus from Ravello back to Amalfi, which left us with our only option of a €160 taxi off the street. Next time, we will hire a car and driver and avoid a lot of stress.

• Check out these sites to book a car for the day
• https://www.monettitaxi17.com/English.htm
• https://www.sorrentosilverstar.com/

Don’t hike up to Ravello: I’ve modified the itinerary above from what we actually did. During our trip, we chose to hike from Amalfi to Atrani and then up to Ravello. The hike up to Ravello is very strenuous even for active people – we Were the only people hiking up the endless stairs up; everyone else we passed by was going down from Ravello. I would skip the hike up, enjoy the views from the car, and spend more time in the cute little town of Ravello.

Sleep in Positano

PLANNED ACTIVITES

EXPLORE POSITANO

9:00AM | Breakfast at hotel in Sorrento

10:00AM| Check out of hotel in Sorrento / Taxi to Positano (2o min)

10:30AM | Drop bags off at hotel in Positano

11:00-4:00PM | Explore, window shop and grab lunch at Ristorante Bruno and sit on the terrace overlooking the water

4:00PM-6:00PM| Settle into hotel, relax, get ready for dinner

6:00PM-7:30PM | Drinks before dinner at Bianca Bar or Franco’s

8:00PM | Dinner at Da Vincenzo

TIPS

POSITANO

Positano is perfect for practicing “la dolce far Niente” or “the sweet art of doing nothing.” Spend time wandering, window shopping for ceramics and linens, enjoying the views and the beach. Because Positano has some beautiful views and sights, it is very popular, so be prepared for it to feel a bit touristy.

DRINKS & DINNER

Soak in the sights and try a delicious cocktail or mocktail before dinner at the famous Franco’s or Bianca. Da Vincenzo is a historic, central, charming family-run restaurant built right into the cliffside.

Sleep in Positano

PLANNED ACTIVITES

BEACH DAY

9:00AM | Breakfast at Casa Bottega

11:00AM-4:30PM | Visit Fornillo beach, rent some chairs, kayak, and enjoy lunch at the little restaurant on the beach

5:00PM | Get ready for dinner for the evening

7:30PM | Take shuttle to Donna Rosa for dinner

TIPS

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS

We booked a local photographer to capture our maternity photos while we were in Positano. We booked through Local Lens and loved our photographer! He captured beautiful photos for us right at sunset. This could be fun to do even if you aren’t on a babymoon.

BEACH

Positano is known for its beaches and has a few to choose from. Fornillo was recommended to us by a local as it is quieter than the others. “Spiaggia Grande” is the larger main beach and “Arienzo Beach” is another popular option.

KAYAK RENTAL

We didn’t end up doing this, but there are stands right at the beach where you can rent a kayak (no need to reserve ahead). It is usually about 10 euros per hour to rent one. This is a unique and fun way to experience Positano!

EATING

After our tour of Pompeii, we had some time for a lunch break on our own. The restaurants within walking distance were pretty touristy/overpriced, but we just popped into and enjoyed a little lunch break before meeting back up with the group to visit Mt. Vesuvius.

Sleep in Capri

PLANNED ACTIVITES

EXPLORE CAPRI

10:00AM | Check out of hotel

10:00AM-12:00PM | Take ferry to Capri; once there, take a fun convertible taxi to hotel

12:30-3:00PM | Drop bags at hotel and grab some lunch at La Capannina explore shops

3:00PM–5:00PM | Start by catching a taxi to Anacapri, see the town and ride the chairlift to Monte Solaro and back.

5:00PM | Take a taxi back to Capri Town, explore, grab gelato at Chiosco Tizzano di Natalia e Antonio Tizzano S.N.C.

8:00PM | Dinner at Aurora 

TIPS

LUGGAGE LOGISTICS

Before checkout today, look into having your hotel transport your bags to the ferry station for you – it can be a bit of a hike with luggage

GETTING THERE

I recommend buying ferry tickets ahead of time at the ferry stand or online. There is a high-speed ferry (Aliscafo) and a regular ferry (Traghetto) option. You can check the current ferry schedule here.  Upon arriving in Capri at the Marina Grande, you will see a line to catch one of Capri’s iconic, convertible taxis to your hot

CHAIR LIFT

The chairlift is fun and gives you a chance to experience amazing panoramic views of the Bay of Naples. It is about 13 minutes each way. Rides stop around 5:00/5:30PM depending on the time of year, so make sure to get there beforehand. You can buy tickets right there – no need to purchase ahead of time.

EATING

Aurora had an intimate atmosphere and good food. It is the oldest restaurant in Capri, know for celebrity visitors and their ultra-thin pizza called pizza all’acqua. We loved La Capannina – it is a charming 90-year-old family-run restaurant in the middle of all the fun shopts. 

Sleep in Capri

PLANNED ACTIVITES

BOAT DAY

8:00AM-9:00AM | Breakfast & pack for boat

9:00AM-9:15AM | Pick up sandwiches to bring on boat for lunch at Salumeria Da Aldo

9:15AM-9:30AM | Walk to Marina Grande meeting point

10:00AM-2:00PM | Experience a tour of Capri by private gozzo boat

3:00PM | Grab a gelato at Chiosco Tizzano di Natalia e Antonio Tizzano S.N.C.

Afternoon | Relax and get ready for dinner

8:00PM | Dinner at Ristorante Il Geranio Capri

TIPS

BOAT TOUR & BLUE GROTTO

This was by far our favorite thing we did. We booked a private Gozzo boat through Relax boats, and it was such a fun way to experience Capri! We told them we wanted to see the Blue Grotto, and our boat captain brought us there. There was no need to pre-purchase Blue Grotto tickets – we just paid when we got there. You can either bring your lunch with you or eat something after your boat tour.

EATING

Risorante Il Geranio was lovely. It felt secluded and romantic, and we had a beautiful sunset view and a view of the moon over the water. 

MORE TIME

If we were going to add a day to this trip, we’d spend one more day in Capri to try the Fortress Hike and enjoy a sunset in Faro (the southwestern corner of the Island where there is a lighthouse).

Sleep in Rome

PLANNED ACTIVITES

ROME & GOING HOME

8:00AM-9:00AM | Breakfast & pack for boat

9:00AM-9:15AM | Pick up sandwiches to bring on boat for lunch at Salumeria Da Aldo

9:15AM-9:30AM | Walk to Marina Grande meeting point

10:00AM-2:00PM | Tour the Isle of Capri by Private Gozzo Boat

3:00PM | Grab a gelato at Chiosco Tizzano di Natalia e Antonio Tizzano S.N.C.

Afternoon | Relax and get ready for dinner

8:00PM | Dinner at Ristorante Il Geranio Capri

TIPS

TRANSPORTATION

It is heavy transportation day to get back to Rome to fly out. The hotel can arrange a taxi for you to get to the ferry. Getting the ferry tickets can be done ahead of time either at the stand or online. To book the 1-hour high speed train from Naples to Rome you can buy tickets ahead of time either here: italotreno.it or here EN – Trenitalia. They usually have one leaving each hour. It is best to buy these tickets beforehand as opposed to at the train station which ends up being inefficient.

HOTEL

We stayed in the Sina Bernini hotel which was great for our one-night stay. It was centrally located, walking distance to see some of the sights (Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain etc.) and about a 45-minute drive or 30-minute train ride to the airport the next morning. Ask the hotel to book a taxi for you or book a train online.