Sorrento

Sorrento perches on cliffs above the Bay of Naples, wrapped in lemon groves. It is a relaxed, old-fashioned resort with a pretty main square, limoncello in every shop and sea views from its terraces. Its best feature is location: ferries run to Capri, the Circumvesuviana train reaches Pompeii, and buses wind along the Amalfi Coast. Use it as a comfortable base with all of southern Campania in reach.

Talking points

• Sorrento lemons are famous, and limoncello is the town's signature drink.
• Ferries to Capri and Naples leave from the marina.
• The Circumvesuviana train reaches Pompeii and Herculaneum.
• It is a good alternative base to more crowded Positano.