milliebest

My sister and I want to visit our grandparents' hometown in Nusco, Italy. We are assuming that we would fly into Naples ( We are from New York) and do somethings there first and then make our way to Nusco. We would probably stay only a few days in Nusco and are research where to go from there. I have been to Rome, Florence and Venice so I am not interested in that touristy route. We could do open jaw and not return to Naples if there is an interesting path south. This is in the very beginning stage so I am open to all suggestions. We would like to spend about two weeks. There would be four of us (husbands!). We would be interested in a beach location, winery and local good food. We would rather a bed and breakfast to a hotel.

kja

Naples itself is fascinating, and many people would choose to spend time on the Amalfi Coast and Capri or Ischia.

PalenQ

kja's Amalfi and Sorrento area visit suggestion is a good one and one could spend a week or more relaxing there and day tripping to many neat sights.

To go further south consider Sicily - take day or night trains there from Naples - or will you have a car?

Trains are great -check www.trenitalia.com for schedules - maybe rent a car for Nusco and take train to say Sicily - can book private cabins on night trains for 2 - and rent car again in Sicily or go by public transit which is good. For lots on trains and night trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

There are also ferries linking Naples to Sicily that could be an adventure - again private cabins available as they go overnight I believe.

kybourbon

If you need an automatic car I would pick it up on arrival at Naples airport and head towards Nusco which appears doesn't have any transport. You might be unable to get an automatic at other locations (even Sorrento or Salerno might not have it). I would put any Naples visit at the end if you are flying back out of Naples and ditch the car before Naples (you really don't want to drive there and it's easy taxi/bus to the airport).

For your return flight from elsewhere, the only airports that have flights to the states that don't require a change somewhere in Europe are Rome FCO, Milan, Pisa (seasonally), Venice (much less than Milan or Rome). That means if you fly out from somewhere else, it will typically be a very early flight to connect you somewhere in Europe and then on to the states. Flights to the states don't leave late because of the time difference.

You might like the beaches south of Salerno (from Paestum south) or head to the other coast after Nusco and explore that area.

kja

If flying from New York, I would NOT recommend picking up a rental upon arrival at the Naples airport: Although many people are not aware of it, there is mounting evidence that driving with jet lag is just as dangerous -- to yourself and others -- as driving drunk, and <b>nothing</b> you can do will prevent the microsleeps (which you might not even notice) that are the apparent culprit. Seriously -- NOT a good idea, no matter your other constraints and no matter your prior experience! Please be patient with me if you think I’m being overly adamant, but I know too many people who have died or been seriously injured in accidents to which jet lag was a contributing factor, and I know too many people who will spend the rest of their lives dealing with the knowledge that they were responsible for accidents that resulted in multiple deaths, including those of children, all because they were too confident in their ability to drive safely with jet lag. The issue has become a bit of cause célèbre for me….

massimop

What is "spring"? In Italy that really does mean the end of March to the 3rd week in June -- and that is really a huge shift in weather.

If it is early spring, I suggest you return to Naples & fly to Sicily for a destination that ticks all your boxies. If it's late Spring, there are loads more nice weather options heading in any direction from Nusco by car -- although Sicily still might be the best choice given your stated preferences.

milliebest

Thanks, you have given a lot to think about.

yorkshire

I'd count on a few days in Naples, then you could head south of Salerno and explore the Cilento region if it's May, the Amalfi coast if earlier (based on your interests, but before May might be too quiet in Cilento). After getting the car and visiting Nusco, you could drive across, stopping at Matera, and fly out of Bari. Of course all of this depends on the pace you like--I could easily spend all of the time near Naples and south of Salerno.

kybourbon

kja - If you picked up the car at Naples airport, you can easily be in one of those destinations in an hour without really going into Naples. Pompei is only about 30 minutes. Salerno or Sorrento are about an hour. Nusco 1 1/2 hours. Paestum is 1 1/2 hours and has nice beaches nearby. Picking up a car upon arrival doesn't mean they have to make a long drive that day.

kja

@ kybourbon: Point taken, but distance really isn't at issue, as driving with jet lag really is like driving drunk -- even a few minutes can be disastrously dangerous.

The OP has the option of going somewhere using public transportation FIRST, then going to Nusco, then back to Naples. That would, I think, be safest.