Why Sorrento?
Sorrento is a very very good home-base to the Amalfi and Sorrento coastal attractions. Sorrento is a very good alternative to Naples. Sorrento offers multiple transportation modes to the Sorrento and Amalfi coast towns as well as the Isle of Capri. Sorrento is quiet, cheaper, and is cleaner than Naples. And much less expensive than the other coastal towns. Although Sorrento does not have near the high historical value as Naples, Pompeii, or other places, it's a very good home-base for this area of Italy. Sorrento has good prices for food, hotels, and transportation - nearly everything in Sorrento is accessible by walking - the town is catered to tourists although it doesn't feel that way as it's very authentic and has very friendly locals. Sorrento does have a few museums and a few attractions that you'll want to find.
From Sorrento you can easily do day-trips to the following places:
Naples - theater, churches, loads of history, museums, zoo, on the metro-train line, can take high-speed trains to other parts of Italy/Europe from here, a real Italian City like Rome, Milan, etc
Pompeii - Mt. Vesuvius eruption preserved history, on the metro-train line.
Herculeam - Mt. Vesuvius eruption preserved history
Amalfi, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Ravello - beautiful mountain cliff and mountain coastal towns, water activities, beaches, views
Capri Island - extremely beautiful area, history (water Sirens are thought to be here), views, grottos, natural high-impact landscapes, water activities, beaches
Vico Equense - nice "subburb" type typical Italian area, best pizza on the planet, great views, historical, on the metro-train line
Travel Options Are:
Ferry & Hyrofoils on the sea, Metro-like trains, Taxis, Limos, Rental Cars, Scooters
Tips, Do's and Don't - Or What are the hidden costs?
When in shops and restaurants - always try to start the conversation in Italian. Learn at least a few common phrases such as hello, how much does this cost, how are you, good day, very beautiful, etc. This is very important. They know you're not Italian and can't speak Italian as soon as you open your mouth, so if you try it will go a long long way. After a few sentences, they may begin to switch between Italian and English. If you are having a difficult time, then point and guesture - which is how Italians talk anyways! Most Italians at least speak broken-English, and quite a few speak very good English, and in most tourist areas they speak several languages, but be respectful of their native language and it will go a long way in the service they provide. If you even know some Spanish, then try that a bit since it's at least closer to Italian than English is.
Always ask what is the estimated cost of the taxi ride you are about to take. Unlike Rome, Pisa, Milan, etc - in Sorrento they hardly use their taxi meters.
Most restaurants don't enfore the typical Italian cover charge at least in Sorrento - but if that bothers you then you should check the menus on display - if they don't have a cover charge, then your should tip based on service - 10%-15% for lunch and 10%-20% for dinner is typical throughout the world. Tipping for information and other services is also recommended, at least a Euro or two. Restaurants normally have their menu out on display with prices. If there's Italians there and some tourists then it's probably a good place to eat. Although almost nowhere in Italy is a bad place to eat!
Italians close up shop for several hours during and right after lunchtime - this is just they way they do it - accept it. Dinner typically starts late around 6:30-7pm and lasts for a few good hours. Dinner is not rushed. If you want your waiter or want extra food or a fork, a napkin, or something then you need to flag them down with a wave or an Italian phrase as they hardly come over to your table - they want you to enjoy without all the interruptions that are typical for a U.S./U.K. restaurant - don't be offended. Italians also don't seem to believe in ice nor tap water. You may need to specifically ask for ice if you like that for your drink such as typically done in the U.S. Italians typically serve water from a bottle that you buy. It's probably better anyways since you don't ever know they water quality of tap water and how it will affect you.
Be sure you know the price on services before you engage them - such as porters, laundry, repairs, etc.
Don't be afraid to negotiate on anything you buy - although restaurants seem to have set prices - you may also want to keep your receipts or shop in VAT-Free shops as U.S. citizens aren't suppose to pay the VAT tax (2009 is 11%) - you can get refunds. There are different rules, so be sure to read up on this.
Do keep your purse around the neck and under the arm style and in front of you - although in Sorrento there is very little crime, you're on vacation so don't take those chances - for Men, a fabric-leather "man-purse" is perfectly acceptable to hold all your things such as wallet, camera, maps, waters, etc - wear it around the neck and under the arm style in front of you as well.
In Piazzo Tasso, the main plaza in the heart of Sorrento, there are several good restaurants, shops, farmacia (think Walgreens-CVS-7-11), and other essentials such as Bank of Naples ATM, etc Piazzo Tasso is also within walking distance of the metro train station. However, it looks to be a very long walk to the port down 200+ stairs, so you may want to take a taxi (10-15 Euro) or the bus (1 Euro if they are on time).
Although you want your hotel to be clean, you're probably not going to be staying in it looking at the views all the time, so you may want to opt for a cheaper hotel off from the sea cliff edge and maybe without a view. There are more tremendous views you will encounter just by transporting around in the area than what your hotel could possibly offer.
Make sure you bring extra batteries for your camera, and even maybe the newer Lithium Ion batteries that last a long time. Italian batteries are from Japan or China and they don't seem to be as charged up as U.S. batteries and are very expensive ontop of that.
In all, have some fun, drink the wine, enjoy the food (it is absolutely wonderful). Sorrento is a good base, but explore all the towns along the coast and be sure and take at least a few days for Isle of Capri - a quick 30 minute ferry ride away from Sorrento - Capri is one of the most breath-taking enchanting spots on the planet.
Don't forget that Sorrento is the Limoncello capital of the world - a liquor made from lemons. Limoncello Crema is a creamy version of the straight-up Limoncello that you may like if you'd prefer a less-stiff drink. If you don't try it, then you've not been to Sorrento!