Sorrento is a small city in Campania, Italy; the resident population 16,459 (1996). It is a popular vacation destination, particularly among British visitors. The town can be reached easily from Naples, as it lies at the south-eastern end of the Circumvesuviana railroad line (private, not part of FS system). The town overlooks the Bay of Naples, and many viewpoints in the city allow sight of Naples itself (visible across the bay) and Vesuvius.
Sorrento is on the Sorrentine peninsula and at the western end of the famous Amalfi Coast with its beautiful towns such as Positano and Amalfi. The "Amalfi drive" (connecting Sorrento and Amalfi) is the narrow road that threads precariously around the high cliffs above the Mediterranean.
Ferry boats and hydrofoils provide services to Naples, Amalfi , Positano, Capri and Ischia. Capri is a beautiful island just offshore from Sorrento. Roman political figures including Augustus and Tiberius had homes there; Tiberius ruled the Roman empire from Capri for 11 years. More recently the island has been the home of several famous people including Gracie Fields.
Sorrento's sea cliffs are impressive and it's luxury hotels, particularly the Excelsior Vittoria, have attracted famous personalities including Enrico_Caruso and Pavarotti.
Sorrento was the birthplace of the poet Torquato Tasso.