muetravels

traveling with a friend to italy in april 2006. we were thinking about renting a car in napoli and driving our way to florence in about 5 days -- is that too ambitious? stops we would like to take along with way are: capri (1 night, is the blue grotto tour worth it?), pompeii (day tour on our own), almafi coast/positano (2 nights?), siena (1 night), pisa (quick look), lucca (1 night), and finally to florence.

any suggestions of stops along the way (or place/town to stay versus what i currently have in mind) would be greatly appreciated.

thank you.

buongiorno

I guess you realize you are going a little backwards and then back tracking through Naples again to get to Florence. I would forget the blue grotto tour and Pisa. Stay in Sorrento and make Capri a day trip. Spend more than 1 night in Siena. Stop in as many Chianti towns as you can on your way to Florence. Hire a guide when you do Pompeii, it's well worth it.

muetravels

hi buongiorno:

thanks for the reply. yeah, i know i'm kinda going back and forth.

i was told that i should DEFINITELY spend a night in capri versus spending a night in napoli - no?! will definitely look into siena and wineries. thank you!

ira

Hi M,

Are you sure you want a car?

You can take the ferry from Naples to Capri and from Capri to Sorrento.

From Sorrento you can take the train to Pompeii and also visit the Amalfi coast by bus.

You can then pick up your car and drive to Siena.

Alternately, you might find it much cheaper to take the train to Naples, train to Florence.

Stay in Florence and do daytrips to Siena by bus and Pisa/Licca by train.

You might find this thread helpful:

Helpful Information: Italy 2
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34568596

muetravels

hi ira:

thx for the info. is it expensive to rent a car in italy -- i was told that the best way to see italy is to drive...and also just to have a more "relaxing" vacation and not on any train schedule.

i'll check out previous posting.

ira

Hi mue,

Car rentals in Italy are expensive, because insurance is required.

Driving in Italy can be very confusing, especially in cities.

>...a more "relaxing" vacation and not on any train schedule.<

Oh, pish tosh.

Italian trains are very cheap and the schedules are quite good.

For example, there are hourly direct trains from Naples to Florence.

See www.trenitalia.com