Shearings Coach Holidays > Reviews > Sorrento Pompeii and Amalfi Coast

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money

Excellent

Advantages:	ideal for non flyers wishing to travel to the warmer climate of the med .
Disadvantages:	NOT A TRIP FOR CHILDREN WHO WILL GET RESTLESS ON A LONG COACH JOURNEY

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

August 2007 Holiday with WA Shearings to Sorrento and Amalfi Coast
Italy. Using the Grand Tourer Service. August 2007.
Decided on this type of holiday as my wife had taken a dislike to flying!
This seemed the best option of a holiday abroad, in the sun.
This particular tour offered a 6 night stay at a resort (SORRENTO)
Others are based on a total Touring option.

Organisation.
Our Holiday began at our chosen pick up point where my wife and I were collected by a Feeder Vehicle (in this case a people carrier) The timing was exactly as predicted on our itinery. We were picked up and set off on time.
Then to a neighboring town where other passengers were waiting to be collected.
Onwards to a motorway services which served as a central location where other feeder vehicles were arriving.
Once all the feeder services had arrived we were transferred to a larger coach and then headed towards Dover.
Upon arrival at Dover Docks we were directed towards the departure lounge where we had a short wait before being asked to board the coach for our chosen destination.
(OTHER SHEARINGS COACHES FOR ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAYS WERE ALSO WAITING AT THE DOCKS)

At this point I was a little concerned about our luggage as I had not laid a hand on it since departing from our pick up point!
Did It get transferred to the correct coach? (YES)
Was our suitcase about to depart on a Russian Experience and not an Italian? (NO)
NO need to worry!!
The organisation was 'spot on ' and we (and or luggage) boarded the correct Grand Tourer Coach prior to embarking on the ferry to Calais.

This was the first time we had seen the touring coach.
I was impressed!
Only 36 (leather Seats)...Loads of Legroom,... Personal Headphones...Sat Nav...Onboard toilet facilities...and a small galley type kitchen with tea and coffee making facilities. (INCLUDED)
The Driver and Tour Guide, (Darryl) introduced himself over the coach speaker system as we were boarding the Ferry.
This was just a quick introduction as he planned to speak to us later once we had reached Calais and boarded again and were on route to our first overnight stop in Belgium.

Our fellow passengers seemed to be of variable ages, ranging from teenagers as part of a family.... to 80's ...a good mixture of people from all walks of life. (QUITE A FEW WHO HATED FLYING MAY I ADD!) Much to the delight of my wife when she realized that she was not the only NON FLYER on board.

THE TOUR.
The tour consisted of a three and a half day journey through (Belgium, France Switzerland Italy) Then...Six nights stopping in Sorrento
(4 Star Grande Hotel Ceasare Augusto) Followed by a four day journey home...stopping off in Rome, Lake Maggorie, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, on the way. (All Half Board).

I have checked the itinery for 2008 and the Sorrento trip (2008) looks even better than 2007.
Hotels and routes have been changed and the itinary has slightly altered (In my opinion FOR THE BETTER).. Probably from passenger feedback and the wonderful dedication of the driver Darryl who "TAKES ON BOARD" any comments and suggestions which will make the trip more enjoyable the following year.
(At the end of the review I will highlight the major changes so you can compare the 2007 with the 2008 itinery)

The JOURNEY TO SORRENTO!
Be under no illusions!!! this is a long, long, journey!
Three and a half days to be exact.
Each stage of the journey ends with a hotel stop along the way.
On the 2007 journey this was Belgium, France, Northern Italy then finally to Sorrento..
Some may argue that spending such a lengthy period of time on a coach is not the way to enjoy a holiday...but the scenery is outstanding. (LETS FACE IT FOLKS...ITS A COACH HOLIDAY!)
I dare you to fall asleep during the trip through Europe!!
Especially through the Alps and Switzerland...BREATHTAKING!
It beats looking at the clouds on a flight!

Each day of the journey to Sorrento is broken by frequent stops along the way and ends with an overnight Hotel Stop at a 2 or 3 star (Best Western TYPE Hotel).
The arrival at these hotels is usually during the late afternoon.
Again...Luggage is delivered to you hotel room by portering staff (NO NEED TO LIFT A FINGER!)
Dinner is served each evening (normally from a menu of 3 choices of starter...main meal...and ..sweet.
Drinks in the hotel bar ,or a walk into the local area gives you chance to 'get to know' fellow passengers on route.
Your Luggage is collected from your hotel room prior to
departure in morning and then its and onwards to the next leg of your journey.

Eventually the final destination...SORRENTO!
WOW!
YOU WILL BE NOT DISSAPOINTED!
The 4 Star Hotel Ceasare Augusto.
About 10 minutes walk from the Town Centre (MAIN SQUARE)
PIAZZA TASSO....and the CIRCUMVESUVANIA (train station route which runs along the Bay of Naples)
The hotel spotless...the service is exellent!
The rooms are spacious and have a private balcony, EN suite bathroom, Telephone,mini bar, (air conditioning INCLUDED) maid service....and the most wonderful roof garden and swimming pool overlooking Sorrento, the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Breakfast offers a selection of cooked produce such as Eggs (BOILED SCRAMBLED) Sausages and mushrooms as well as the continental fare such as bread ,fruit ,Cereal...Fruit Juice..Tea and Coffee etc.
The Evening meal was again a set menu of 3 choices...normally served about 1900 ish!
You were however requested to dress accordingly for the evening meal...not totally formal ...but avoiding shorts and flip flops! (IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN)
A smart shirt and long trousers for the gents and a blouse, skirt / trousers for the ladies.
Water was provided at the tables...Wine and soft drinks were extra.

We fell in love with Sorrento!!
More a place for SAGA LOUTS than LAGER LOUTS but a good mixture of old and young all enjoying the nightlife.

Tiny little streets with an abundance of restaurants,and shops.
(in my opinion quite reasonable prices) mind you...I do live in London...so my expectations may differ from others!
The most important factor is that you feel safe!
NO LAGER LOUTS..NO BEGGARS.. Plenty of friendly and helpful Police men and women
The shops and restaurants do not 'PRESSURE SELL' and you are free to browse without being hassled to buy the goods.
The biggest seller is anything made from lemons!
Soap, Perfume and Lemoncella (LIQUER) an alcoholic shot made from local produce!... WOW...it has Kick !!
Also leather goods are cheap... A handbag and shoe paradise for the ladies!!!
Try Shopping at the "PINK ELEPHANT" (An "OFF LICENCE") located in the Piazza Antonnio...Plenty of Wine and Booze at DUTY FREE PRICES!
AMAZING!

If you wish to visit the harbour area of Sorrento it is advisable to use the local transport or ROAD TRAIN (A LOCAL MOTERISED VEHICLE DISGUISED AS A TRAIN) to make your journey.
ITS easy to walk down the steps or road, to the harbour but a hell of a steep climb back! These Services can be boarded from the main Square PIAZZO TAZZO.
LOCATED HERE IS ALSO A SELECTION OF SUNBATHING TYPE PLATFORMS LEADING INTO THE SEA...Sorrento does not have a beach...but then again I do not consider it to be a beach holiday.

A good and recommended Night Spot is the "Foreigners Club"
What a venue!
Located just off the Piazzo Antonnio and link road to the downward route to the Harbour.... An excellent nightspot located on the top of the cliffs overlooking Sorrento Harbour and Bay of Naples.
It has an open air BAR..RESTAURANT with a dance floor.
The entertainers singing anything from Pavarotti to Robbie Williams.

You can STRICTLY COME DANCING!!! on the ballroom floor until the early hours of the morning!!
Best of all it is not "IN YOUR FACE" and it is still possible to hold a conversation without being drowned out by loud music!!

MAY I SAY...Sorrento has an abundance of STUNNING ITALIAN FEMALES...WOW.. (GENTS).Don't let your wife catch you eying up the talent!!
They are probably the most beautiful women on the planet!!!!
Saying that I noticed a few glistening female eyes when being served by the handsome Italian waiters!!!.

Excursions and Places of interest.

Sorrento is ideally located for excursions to Capri, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Montecassino.
These excursions can normally be obtained from additional or included sightseeing trips provided by Shearings but this particular tour attracts many former passengers who have already seen the Sorrento area before.
This may resullt in LACK OF NUMBERS wishing to partake in a repeat excursion and the trip may be cancelled.
However it is easy to make your own way to these attractions if this should happen.
I would not recommend a trip to Pompeii if you have difficulty in walking or you are unsteady on your feet.
The tempratures are searing and it is very hot...40 degrees + on some occasions. (TAKE A LARGE BOTTLE OF WATER!!)
KeepHydrated
Be careful.
Medical facilities are not exactly (TOP NOTCH) if you get into Difficulty!

On a trip to mount Vesuvius it is possible to reach about 1KM from the summit by vehicle...However..the last 1000m are only accessible by foot..
Again...the views are outstanding but the temprature is HOT HOT HOT!

The Amalfi Coast is Stunning.
Positano, Amalfi, Ravello...and if you get the chance...the coastal boat trip is not to be missed.
If you travel to Capri under your own steam it is advsidable to take up the offer of a guide who will introduce himself to you on the JETFOIL
on the way over, (ABOUT 20 Euros) otherwise it is almost impossible to view the island in a day!
Hopefully it will be possible to do this excursion with Shearings
( DEPENDING ON NUMBERS WISHING TO PARTAKE)

The Journey Home.
This happened over a 4 Day Period stopping off in Rome. (SIGHTSEEING)..Lake Maggorie (early afternoon arrival) ..Lake Lucerne and Gothard Pass...(SWITZERLAND) ..BREATHTAKING...!!
Southern Germany and then to Belgium before embarking on the ferry home fro Calais to Dover.
All again in Best Western Hotels.
The onward journey in UK will differ depending in which part of the country you live...but if it was as smooth and hassle free as our journey back to London there will be no problems

May I say at this point that the Coach Driver and Guide (DARRYL) was exceptional.
Darryl has been driving in Europe (and especially Italy) for many years and has a wealth of local knowlege.
He is a true proffessional.
THANK YOU DARRYL

The 2008 Tour offers a slightly differant route and includes:
Overnight stops On the Italian Riviera .. Overnight in ROME and PARIS with sightseeing trips.

Thank You Shearings. (AND DARRYL) for a wonderful Holiday

Ian & Jane Jackson