Make Sorrento, Italy, Your Family’s Base for Daytrips

South of Naples and overlooking the same wide bay, Sorrento is not only a charming town, but also perfectly positioned as a base for exploring some of southern Italy’s top sights.

Pompeii and Herculaneum
From Sorrento, your family can board the Circumvesuviana train to visit the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. A short bus ride from either takes you to Mount Vesuvius — the still-smoldering volcano that destroyed both cities looms in the background as you discover homes, shops, theaters, temples and gardens excavated from the lava that preserved them since they were buried in 79 A.D. Homes still have their mosaics, wall paintings and frescoes, and give a view of life in ancient Roman times.

Capri
For spectacular scenery, beaches and a taste of Italian dolce vita, hop on a boat to the idyllic Isle of Capri. Before you go, or as soon as you land in Marina Grande, reserve spots on a boat to the Blue Grotto, a dramatic sea cave and Capri’s best-known tourist attraction. A funicular carries you up to the main town for boutique shopping and celeb spotting. Or go to the tiny harbor of Marina Piccola for swimming or relaxing in the sun with views of the gigantic Faraglioni sea stacks, just off the shore.

Instead of taking the regular ferry, book a day tour from Sorrento that circumnavigates the island, stopping at sea caves and grottos, and sailing around the Faraglioni rocks. These tours stop for swimming and snorkeling at smaller cove beaches and allow time for a Blue Grotto tour before returning to Sorrento.

Amalfi Coast
Sorrento sits along the northern shore of the long Amalfi Peninsula, and on its southern shore is the famed Amalfi Coast. You can rent a car and travel the famed Amalfi Drive, but you probably shouldn’t unless you have nerves of steel and a lot of experience driving in Italy. The road along the coast is spectacular, but narrow and precipitous. Traffic is heavy and capricious, so the driver will see very little of the scenery.

To better experience the Amalfi coast, go by bus, enjoy the views and stop to enjoy the beaches without having to look for a parking space. Or get a different view of the dramatic coast from a boat, sailing from Sorrento around the dramatic tip of the peninsula and along the southern coast. Choose a tour that stops in at least one town, probably Positano or Amalfi, where you can stroll around and get a feel for the sybaritic lifestyle.