Naples to Herculaneum and Sorrento

We will be in Naples on June 30 on the Norweigan Epic. We are planning on going to Herculaneum and Sorrento. Our original plan was to take the train to Herculaneum, tour for a few hours, then get back on the train to Sorrento and have lunch there and walk around for a few and take the 4:25 hydrofoil back to Naples.

We wanted to do the ruins in the morning when it wasn't as hot but am worried because is the 4:25 hydrofoil cutting it too close and will most of the shops be closed in the afternoon? Also would be more tiring to do the ruins in the afternoon, everyone will be tired.

Although you're right that the ruins will be cooler earlier in the day, I think going to Sorrento first makes sense. A lot of shops ARE closed in the early afternoon, until around 3:00 pm. And Herculaneum (being literally below and in the shadow of the modern city) may have some shade in the afternoon.

The biggest plus is that Herculaneum is closer to Naples, so you should be able to get back (on the train, which runs frequently) at a time that suits you without cutting it close or wasting time by getting back too early.

I support the idea of doing the furtherest thing first and working your way back to Naples.

Last September we docked, practically, next to the hydrofoil to Sorrento. We took the soonest run and spent a couple of hours in Sorrento where walked along the beach (hello, sea glass :)), took the elevator up to the street level (a fantastic view and watched people swimming below), shopped a few minutes along a 'market' street, had a quick snack and vino at an outside cafe, and bought foodie gifts at a grocery store on the way to the train station. We got off at Herculaneum stop and walked down the hill to the ruins. Luckily, a guide was forming a walking tour group on the spot. Otherwise, we would have used our map. Then we took the train back to the first Naples station. As we had missed the information where ships' shuttles were picking up cruise passengers, and we had time and the weather was nice, we walked to the ship. I wouldn't recommend it because the street we took (name?) had many homeless people and piles of rubbish that stunk of urine! Maybe a couple of streets further over would have made a difference... No one bothered us - it just wasn't pleasant. Regardless, it was a great DIY day - a pleasant boat ride, relaxing time in Sorrento, an excellent guide at Herculaneum, and an eye-opening (if not, nose-closing) mile-long(?) walk 'home'! We're a 60+ couple and were tired but figure we can rest at home for 'free'. Enjoy your day!

Yes, in Sorrento most of the shops (in the main shopping part of town) will be closed in the afternoon. Some of the more touristy places will remain open, but they are hardly worth the effort. Personally, we are not big fans of Sorrento and usually do not even bother stopping in that city while we are vacationing in the region. So here is a shocker! When it comes to shopping there are actually more (and better) option right in Naples. But as you seem to know, the norm in Italy is for most shops/boutiques to close in the afternoons (usually from about 12:30 until at least 4).

Hank

Reliance on a ferry late in the day can be problematic - yes, I too always advise the other way round.

No need for separate train tickets Sorrento to Herculaneum then herculaneum to Naples, your through train ticket Sorrento to Naples allows you to break your journey wherever you like as long as you complete the journey in about 6 hours:cool:

And although the afternoon will be hot, Herculaneum has plenty of shelter from the sun.

JB :)