Sorrento

Stunning Sorrento is one of Italy's most well established resorts: relaxed, picturesque and sunny. Its location, on one of the most beautiful stretches of Italian coastline, has long made it a favourite with Italians. Sorrento has inspired poets and painters for centuries - and Byron, Keats and Dickens all came here as part of the Grand Tour. The town has ancient origins and an attractive historic centre, but today Sorrento is essentially a modern resort that makes a bustling base for exploring some of Italy's finest sights: Pompeii, Naples and Herculaneum.

Its mild climate, and proximity to world famous archaeological sites, makes Sorrento a year round holiday resort, although numbers soar in summer. It particularly attracts honeymooners, anniversary couples and the over 35s - most of whom are British. It is a very popular stop for cruise ships, and also features on many British and other western European package tours.

Sorrento is on the coast of the region of Campania, on the Neapolitan Riviera, in southern Italy. It is perched on a headland that forms the southerly arm of the Bay of Naples. The resort is 50km (31 miles) south of Naples, which has the closest airport. Sorrento is on high rocky ground, on the end of the peninsula, overlooking the Bay of Naples. The resort of Positano is to the south, Pompeii and Vesuvius to the north.

Despite its popularity as a holiday resort, Sorrento is not noted for its beaches. It sits on a clifftop, above the shore. The nearest sandy beach to the harbour is the small Marina Piccola, which is reached by steps or a lift. The other sandy beach is Marina Grande, around 15 minutes' walk from the town centre. The most attractive beach is Punto del Capo further south. It is reached from the centre of town by following Via del Capo, though it is best to take a bus.

The Circumvesuviana train runs from Sorrento to the stunning ruins of Pompeii, the Roman town destroyed when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. It is best to leave early, as the archaeological site is extensive. Also worth exploring is Herculaneum, another preserved Roman town, or Vesuvius itself.  You can also easily take a day trip to the beautiful island of Capri. Frequent hydrofoils leave Sorrento harbour and the journey is only 20 minutes' long.

The lack of easily accessible sandy beaches means that Sorrento is not the ideal resort for families seeking a traditional bucket and spade holiday. However, with plenty of bars and restaurants, and a pleasant town centre it is a good base for families with older children wishing to explore Pompeii and Vesuvius.

Sorrento shops are geared towards the holiday trade and there is no shortage of souvenirs. The main tourist shops are in the streets around Piazza Tasso. Typical gifts from the region include crafts such as lace goods, musical boxes and inlaid wooden items - known as intarsia work.  It is similar to marquetry. There's a weekly street market on Tuesdays, while lots of shops sell the local speciality limoncello - a lemon based liqueur.

Although it's not famed as a party town, Sorrento has a lively night-time scene. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs - ranging from British style pubs to casinos. Dance clubs include Li'ly (Via Fuorimura 47), while Fauno Notte Club (Piazza Tasso) has a nightly Tarantella Show (the traditional local dance).  For cocktails there is Chanteclers (Via Santa Maria della Pieta), just off the main square Piazza Tasso.

This area is the home of the pizza, and there is an enormous choice of places in Sorrento serving excellent cheap pizza. There are also restaurants offering local specialities like stuffed peppers, and pasta dishes with tomatoes, aubergines or courgettes.

The heart of Sorrento is easily explored on foot, while buses run around the town too. There is a train service, the Circumvesuviana, that links Sorrento to Naples and Pompeii, and regular buses also run to Naples. Hydrofoils also run between Sorrento and Naples, as well as to the islands of Capri and Ischia. Car hire is available, but visitors might find the winding coastal roads daunting.

The sprawling city of Naples has a reputation as a rough, rather violent place. But while there are some areas that are best avoided, the noisy centre has plenty of fine buildings, like the cathedral (Via del Duomo), that are well worth seeing.  Main attraction is the Archeological Museum (Piazza Museo Nazionale), which is home to finds from Pompeii. The famous Secret Cabinet contains erotic items found in the ruins.

Have an indulgent face or body treatment at La Serra, the new holistic centre at the five-star Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria (Piazza Tasso 34). It's located in the hotel's garden and includes double treatment suites for couples.  Treatments are based on natural ingredients like rose hips and orange essence.

Naples (Capodichino) Airport (NAP)