Get a free map of the town
by toonsarah
I’d read in our guide book that you could get a useful free map of the town from the Tourist Information Office in Via L di Maio, which it described as being “just off” the Piazza Tasso. Indeed, this road does lead off the square, at its north west corner, and soon widens into another, smaller square, with what looked like a tourist office on our left. However when we asked in here we were directed further down the road and to our right, where we found the office, also known as the Circolo dei Forestieri. Here we got our free map, and very useful it proved too! We realised later that the first office we’d tried was intended for locals who wanted to be tourists elsewhere, i.e. a sort of travel agency. If you find yourself somewhere that looks like my second photo you too are in the wrong place!
As well as using the map to guide you around the town, there are signs in useful places and a couple of walking trails indicated, including one we followed for part of its length through the craftsmen and artists’ quarter. But really, this is a town best suited to simply strolling and seeing where your footsteps lead you, as there are no obvious sights – though I do recommend that you ensure that at some point they lead you to the water’s edge in the Marina Grande. When we did get to the right office I was so taken with this pretty cat sitting on a scooter outside that I forgot to take a photo of it. I hope he's there again when you visit, so you'll know you're in the right place ;)
Inlaid wood works
by Balam about Cuomo's lucky Store
This large shop has 2 floors full of Inlaid Wood Works, Porcelain and Gifts, from small Chess Board pieces to an 8 place dinning table with chairs and they will pack and ship all over the world. (at no extra cost for the larger more expensive items) Inlaid wood box's to tables anything from 15.00 euro to 25000.00 euro
Pizza at a price!
by GordonKeenan about PIZZERIA AURORA
The location of this restaurant is quite nice, off the main square by a few feet, but close enough to sit and watch the world go by.
The waiters had something a little different from the other places we looked at, they had a smile and actually took the time out to chat and have a laugh with you! Above all else in Sorrento this had to be the one thing about this place we both enjoyed, a genuine feeling of being welcomed in to eat.
In total our meal came to 22 euros, not cheap by any standards, but then again, that was the norm for most places in Sorrento.
With that feeling all around us, we didn?t need much prompting to eat and drink there for a couple of hours, and we never felt pressured to finish up and leave.
Like all of the places in the square, you get charged for your location, as well as the usual extras, ours came in at 4 euros, and to be honest we didn't really bother about it as we enjoyed everything so much. Well it has to be Pizza (Pepperoni as I thought - but I found out it was PEPPERS rather than the meat I had expected). It turned out to be better than I had thought, so much so I ate the lot, and we are talking about a big Pizza here.
My wife went for the Cannelloni and this too was excellent. The sauce on both of the dishes was plentiful, tasty, aromatic, and just so nice that you just hated to take the last bite!
Museo Bottega della Tarsia Lignea
by hawkhead
An absolutely stunning collection of historic Sorrento ware, beautifully laid out. There is everything from tiny thimbles to entire suites of bedroom furniture. There is also one floor devoted to the history of Sorrento, which is fascinating. The curator speaks excellent English and is proud of his museum (as he should be) and is only too pleased to be able to expound and expand on the exhbits and on the history of Sorrento.
Open Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays for prebooked groups only. Entrance cost is Euro 8, with Euro 5 for retired people over the age of 65. Open from10.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 18,.00, with slightly longer hours in summer.
The collection is housed in an old house - don't forget to look at the ceilings!
Day Trip by Sea: Positano, Capri, Amalfi...
by goodfish
Sorrento's varied transportation options to the beautiful islands and towns in the Amalfi Coast region are another reason tourists flock here. Ferry and hydrofoil service to Capri, Positano, Amalfi and other locations that can be reached via water is frequent and easy to do - just pick your favorite and buy a ticket. You'll be catching your cruise at Marina Piccola and not Marina Grande so make sure you go to the right docks.
Ferries are cheaper but considerably slower than hydrofoils so if wanting to maximize your sightseeing time, I'd recommend going with the fast boat. The friendly folks at your hotel, Sorrento Tourist Office (Via Luigi De Maio, 35) or at the ticket offices at Marina Piccola can help you with current schedules and prices. I'm also including a couple of helpful web sites (Fodors is a good one) to get you started.
http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/italy/amalfi-coast-and-capri/travel-tip_1990228.html
A note for persons like myself with touchy stomachs: It is possible to feel a little queasy on a rough sea so take your favorite motion-sickness remedy if need be. We were able to stand on the back deck of the hydrofoil to-and-from Capri but not so on the one to Positano so fresh air isn't always an option. Because they move so fast, hydrofoil is probably a better choice for keeping your breakfast down - you'll get to your destination quicker than by ferry so won't be uncomfortable for as long. For instance, it's 20 minutes to Capri from Sorrento by fast boat vs 40 minutes by putzy ferry.
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View from Piazza Marina Piccola
Calamari anyone?
Quiet cloister........
Peters Beach
