Do it yourself Walking tour

little hystory
Sorrento, "Surriento" in the Neapolitan dialect, is surnamed "La Gentile" (the gentle one).
It is situated on tufo rock and rises 50 meters above the sea overlooking the Bay of Naples.
Believed to be of Etruscan or Greek origin, it was frequented by the Romans for the sake of its scenic beauty and mild climate.
In the 19th century, it was a favorite winter residence of foreigners.
Contributing, no doubt, to the fame of Sorrento is the popular melody "Torna a Surriente, (Return to Sorrento).
Its most illustrious son is Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), author of"Gerusalemme liberata", the famous epic poem. Sorrento has dedicated its main square to this poet with a monument of him standing with his right hand resting on the book of his immortal poem. Piazza Tasso, is a busy place lined with outdoor cafes.
Sorrento has been a popular resort ever since the time of the Romans, and has long been a favorite of foreign vacationers—especially the British.
Its many hotels in all price ranges make it an ideal base for exploring the coastal region south of Naples- From the north side of the square, there is a ramp leading down to the Marine Piccola, a harbor with boat service to Capri, Ischia, and Naples.
A stroll down Via Luigi De Maio brings you to the attractive Piazza Saint Antonino near the tourist office.
Turn left to the baroque Church of San Francesco, noted for its 14th century cloisters now used by an art school.
Take a peek in, then walk out into the adjacent public gardens for a wonderful view across the bay.
Worthwhile to visit is the Cathedral (1479 - the facade was rebuilt in 1912-1924) and the "Musea Correale", open to the public. Housed in an 18th century villa, it contains superb examples of regional decorative arts for the 15th through the 18th centuries, including furniture, porcelains and paintings. There are also some local archaeological findings as well as rare editions of the works of Torquato Tasso.
Be sure to visit the lovely garden behind the museum, which accesses to a belvedere overlooking the bay.
The museum is usually open daily except Tuesdays, holidays and Sunday afternoons; from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 4-7 p.m., with shorter hours in winter. The whole district of Sorrento is noted for its oranges, lemons, walnuts, the town for its inlaid wood and lace.Sorrento is well connected by streamers and hydrofoils to Capri and Naples.