Help with Pompeii, Capri, and Amalfi Coast decisions
Feb 27th, 2008, 06:55 PM
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Help with Pompeii, Capri, and Amalfi Coast decisions
I am having difficulty planning the last stage of our first trip to Italy. I was thinking of spending our last 2 (maybe 3) nights in the Naples/Sorrento area. DH and I want to see Pompeii, Capri, and Amalfi Coast if possible.
After doing some searching I thought that Sorrento was a good place to base ourselves. However, we will be travelling back to Rome to catch our flight home; so does it make more sense to just stay in Naples and not have the extra travel time? I also keep reading how wonderful Capri is after the last hydrofoil leaves...is it too much to spend 1 night in Naples/Sorrento and 1 night on Capri?
Also, how long is needed to drive the Amalfi Coast? I was figuring we would need a full day to drive and stop at various towns. Is this about right? I know that we won't get to see everything, but just a glimps of what you see in the pictures in person would be amazing to me. Do you suggest drive yourself, hire a driver, or take the bus (as I've seen mentioned in other posts)?
Any suggestions or criticisms would be appreciated.
After doing some searching I thought that Sorrento was a good place to base ourselves. However, we will be travelling back to Rome to catch our flight home; so does it make more sense to just stay in Naples and not have the extra travel time? I also keep reading how wonderful Capri is after the last hydrofoil leaves...is it too much to spend 1 night in Naples/Sorrento and 1 night on Capri?
Also, how long is needed to drive the Amalfi Coast? I was figuring we would need a full day to drive and stop at various towns. Is this about right? I know that we won't get to see everything, but just a glimps of what you see in the pictures in person would be amazing to me. Do you suggest drive yourself, hire a driver, or take the bus (as I've seen mentioned in other posts)?
Any suggestions or criticisms would be appreciated.
Feb 27th, 2008, 07:26 PM
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I'll jump in. I don't think it's crazy at all, but what time of year is your trip? I'd be inclined to spend one night on Capri and two nights on the Amalfi Coast (we stayed 2 nights on Capri and 2 in Positano, but other locations on the Amalfi Coast are fine). We used a private driver rather than rent a car (so the driver can see something), but many others on here have used public transport; our driver also arranged for a private tour guide for Pompeii.
Our driver was Francesco Marrapese (mentioned frequently on this board and well liked), and we stayed at Villa La Tartana in Positano and La Minerva on Capri - we loved both places. Following our stay on Capri we took the train from Naples to Rome to see Rome and catch our plane. Unless you already have your tickets, it would save time for you to leave Italy from Naples rather than train back to Rome to leave Italy.
Have a good trip,
Sam
Our driver was Francesco Marrapese (mentioned frequently on this board and well liked), and we stayed at Villa La Tartana in Positano and La Minerva on Capri - we loved both places. Following our stay on Capri we took the train from Naples to Rome to see Rome and catch our plane. Unless you already have your tickets, it would save time for you to leave Italy from Naples rather than train back to Rome to leave Italy.
Have a good trip,
Sam
Feb 28th, 2008, 03:14 AM
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Wanderer - The going rates on the Amalfi Coast are:
Half day - € 150 approx
Full day - € 300 approx
The full day rate may be a little higher if you want to do a longer trip.
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Half day - € 150 approx
Full day - € 300 approx
The full day rate may be a little higher if you want to do a longer trip.
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Feb 28th, 2008, 03:29 AM
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Hi Heathmd - You can see the highlights of the Amalfi Coast in one day.
Whether it's best to drive or use public transport really depends on when you'll be there. In high season traffic can be at a snail's pace - so it's better to use the ferries/hydrofoils.
With an early start you could plan a lovely day to include Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. You may not have time for more.
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Whether it's best to drive or use public transport really depends on when you'll be there. In high season traffic can be at a snail's pace - so it's better to use the ferries/hydrofoils.
With an early start you could plan a lovely day to include Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. You may not have time for more.
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Feb 28th, 2008, 04:12 AM
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We used Francesco Marrapese as well when we were in Naples. He does a GREAT tour of the Amalfi Coast, and you can see all the highlights in 1 day.He also brought us to a nice scenic restaurant to have lunch. He has a website where I think he posts his prices.
Feb 28th, 2008, 05:47 AM
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Hi H,
Lots of folks recommend an overnight on Capri.
I would add 2 nights in Naples.
One day for the Archaeological Museum and Pompei Scavi, on day to tour the AC.
Take the train from Naples Centrale to Salerno.
Take the ferry to Amalfi. (ferry docks are 3 blks from the train station)
See Amalfi (and Ravello)
Take the SITA bus to Positano.
Walk down to the docks and take the Orange bus back up.
Take the SITA bus to Meta and the Circumvesuviana train back to Naples.
For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/3cbhkb
Enjoy your visit.
Lots of folks recommend an overnight on Capri.
I would add 2 nights in Naples.
One day for the Archaeological Museum and Pompei Scavi, on day to tour the AC.
Take the train from Naples Centrale to Salerno.
Take the ferry to Amalfi. (ferry docks are 3 blks from the train station)
See Amalfi (and Ravello)
Take the SITA bus to Positano.
Walk down to the docks and take the Orange bus back up.
Take the SITA bus to Meta and the Circumvesuviana train back to Naples.
For Ferry schedules Positano – Amalfi - Salerno (P.zza della Concordia):
See http://tinyurl.com/3cbhkb
Enjoy your visit.
Feb 28th, 2008, 10:47 AM
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Thanks to those who replied so quickly.
We will be in this part of Italy May 15-17. Should I expect lots of traffic along the Amalfi Coat drive? I think that I have already ruled out driving ourselves since DH doesn't drive (new yorker and never needed to drive anywhere). I love driving, but I'd like to see the sites rather than paying attention to the road.
We have the rest of the trip settled, including flights (JFK to Milan, Rome to JFK). Will spend 3 nights in Venice, 4 nights in Florence (1 day trip to Tuscany), and 4 in Rome. In order to get a 3rd night in southern Italy I will need to take one from the other cities. Any suggestions as to which part to cut short by a night?
If this helps, we are in our early 30s and while we like museums, we also like exploring nature and being adventurous.
Also any hotel suggestions would be appreciated, looking to spend $200-300 (US dollars) per night.
We will be in this part of Italy May 15-17. Should I expect lots of traffic along the Amalfi Coat drive? I think that I have already ruled out driving ourselves since DH doesn't drive (new yorker and never needed to drive anywhere). I love driving, but I'd like to see the sites rather than paying attention to the road.
We have the rest of the trip settled, including flights (JFK to Milan, Rome to JFK). Will spend 3 nights in Venice, 4 nights in Florence (1 day trip to Tuscany), and 4 in Rome. In order to get a 3rd night in southern Italy I will need to take one from the other cities. Any suggestions as to which part to cut short by a night?
If this helps, we are in our early 30s and while we like museums, we also like exploring nature and being adventurous.
Also any hotel suggestions would be appreciated, looking to spend $200-300 (US dollars) per night.
Feb 28th, 2008, 11:38 AM
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Hi, heathmd -
I think the time you've allotted for Venice, Florence, and Rome sounds perfect. The problem is that 2 nights really isn't quite enough to fit in Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast, particularly given the time it will take to travel to that part of Italy. If you like walking and exploring nature, I wonder if you considered the Cinque Terre instead - 2 nights would be perfect there, and might fit more easily into your schedule. Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast are all wonderful and worth seeing, but you might enjoy them more on a different trip when you can devote more time to them. Just a thought!
I think the time you've allotted for Venice, Florence, and Rome sounds perfect. The problem is that 2 nights really isn't quite enough to fit in Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast, particularly given the time it will take to travel to that part of Italy. If you like walking and exploring nature, I wonder if you considered the Cinque Terre instead - 2 nights would be perfect there, and might fit more easily into your schedule. Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast are all wonderful and worth seeing, but you might enjoy them more on a different trip when you can devote more time to them. Just a thought!
Feb 28th, 2008, 11:49 AM
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We stopped for a day and went to Capri last September and what a zoo! Don't go there until the daily thousands of tourists leave or you won't be able to move. YUK. On the other hand, a friend stayed there for a couple days and loved it, I say spend the night and watch out for the tourists!
Amalfi coast drive is beautiful if you are comfortable driving there then drive, you can stop and enjoy your day.
Amalfi coast drive is beautiful if you are comfortable driving there then drive, you can stop and enjoy your day.
Feb 28th, 2008, 11:58 AM
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If it were up to me .....
Understanding that traveling from Rome to Naples/Amalfi Coast/Capri and then back to Rome for your return flight will eat up almost 2 full days and probably an extra night in Rome (before your flight back), Naples/Amalfi Coast/Capri may be too much for this trip. Too bad - I loved those places. But Suzanhh is right about the potential for Capri being a "zoo" during the day - but after the last ferry leaves it's really special. If you DO end up going to Naples/Amalfi Coast/Capri, I'd definitely get a driver for a day rather than doing it yourself - I'm not sure you'd save much money driving yourself in a rental car plus driving/parking on the Amalfi Coast can be a real pain in the a**.
I haven't been to Cinque Terra - but it is closer and logistically may make more sense for you on this trip.
Sam
Understanding that traveling from Rome to Naples/Amalfi Coast/Capri and then back to Rome for your return flight will eat up almost 2 full days and probably an extra night in Rome (before your flight back), Naples/Amalfi Coast/Capri may be too much for this trip. Too bad - I loved those places. But Suzanhh is right about the potential for Capri being a "zoo" during the day - but after the last ferry leaves it's really special. If you DO end up going to Naples/Amalfi Coast/Capri, I'd definitely get a driver for a day rather than doing it yourself - I'm not sure you'd save much money driving yourself in a rental car plus driving/parking on the Amalfi Coast can be a real pain in the a**.
I haven't been to Cinque Terra - but it is closer and logistically may make more sense for you on this trip.
Sam
Feb 29th, 2008, 02:57 AM
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'Any suggestions as to which part to cut short by a night?'
For an extra night down south I'd take one night from Florence.
Distances on the Amalfi Coast are so short that I never think a private driver is worth the money (-€ 300+) - though others will disagree.
You can easily plan a trip using boats and buses, depending on where you choose to base.
Steve
For an extra night down south I'd take one night from Florence.
Distances on the Amalfi Coast are so short that I never think a private driver is worth the money (-€ 300+) - though others will disagree.
You can easily plan a trip using boats and buses, depending on where you choose to base.
Steve
Mar 3rd, 2008, 06:32 PM
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So here are my new thoughts for my itinerary...
Sat 5/3 - fly JFK to VCE
Sun 5/4 - arrive in Venice at 9:45am
5/4-5/6 - Venice
Wed 5/7 - train to Flornce in the AM
5/7-5/9 - Florence, spend 1 day in Tuscany
Sat 5/10 - train to Rome in AM
5/10-5/13 - Rome
Wed 5/14 - train to Pompeii for the day and then on to Sorrento
Thurs 5/15 - with Sorrento as base, visit Amalfi Coast by bus/boat
Fri 5/16 - trip to Capri, and spend the night there
Sat 5/17 - ferry to Naples, train to Rome, depart from FCO to JFK at 2pm
How does this sound? What is the earliest time I can catch a ferry off of Capri (back to Naples) in the morning? Should I spend the night on Capri or just stay for another night in Sorrento? Should I add a day back to Florence and skip either Amalfi or Capri? I there a place to store luggage while at Pompeii? Any hotel recommendations for Sorrento or Capri?
Sat 5/3 - fly JFK to VCE
Sun 5/4 - arrive in Venice at 9:45am
5/4-5/6 - Venice
Wed 5/7 - train to Flornce in the AM
5/7-5/9 - Florence, spend 1 day in Tuscany
Sat 5/10 - train to Rome in AM
5/10-5/13 - Rome
Wed 5/14 - train to Pompeii for the day and then on to Sorrento
Thurs 5/15 - with Sorrento as base, visit Amalfi Coast by bus/boat
Fri 5/16 - trip to Capri, and spend the night there
Sat 5/17 - ferry to Naples, train to Rome, depart from FCO to JFK at 2pm
How does this sound? What is the earliest time I can catch a ferry off of Capri (back to Naples) in the morning? Should I spend the night on Capri or just stay for another night in Sorrento? Should I add a day back to Florence and skip either Amalfi or Capri? I there a place to store luggage while at Pompeii? Any hotel recommendations for Sorrento or Capri?
Mar 4th, 2008, 12:56 AM
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Yes - there is a luggage store at the entrance to Pompeii.
You can find hydrofoil/ferry timetables between Capri-Naples on:
http://www.capri.net/salsa/lang/en/page/transport.html
(Timetables will change by May - so check nearer the time).
For train times Naples-FCO see
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Hope this helps ...
Steve
You can find hydrofoil/ferry timetables between Capri-Naples on:
http://www.capri.net/salsa/lang/en/page/transport.html
(Timetables will change by May - so check nearer the time).
For train times Naples-FCO see
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/index.html
Hope this helps ...
Steve
Mar 4th, 2008, 08:38 AM
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Hi, heathmd -
Since your flight is out of Rome, I wonder if you've considered going to Sorrento and Capri earlier, ending your trip in Rome. I personally would hate to risk missing my flight if the ferry and train aren't running on schedule (e.g., if bad weather interferes with the ferry schedules, or a strike delays the trains).
Since your flight is out of Rome, I wonder if you've considered going to Sorrento and Capri earlier, ending your trip in Rome. I personally would hate to risk missing my flight if the ferry and train aren't running on schedule (e.g., if bad weather interferes with the ferry schedules, or a strike delays the trains).
