Rushil

My flight to Naples lands at 12pm on Saturday and Departs the next Day at 4pm.
From reading about it, i dont want to spend too much time in Naples, except to eat some good food

I have some crazy itenrary options, would be great to get your views, and suggestions!!

Option 1) -- >
Head to Capri (Reach by about 2-3 pm)
Try to see the Blue Grotto, Definitely do the Chair lift to Monte Solaro.
Spend the night at Capri/ Ana Capri
Head out by the first ferry to Naples
Spend the day in Naples
Archaelogical Museum
Naples Underground
Flight back

Option 2) -- >
Head to Capri (Reach by about 2-3 pm)
Try to see the Blue Grotto, Definitely do the Chair lift to Monte Solaro.
Spend the night at Capri/ Ana Capri
Head out by the first ferry to Sorrento
Take a Bus from Sorrento to Posetano to see the Amalfi Coast
Travel from there back to Naples (maybe via Sorrento again if thats best)
Afternoon in Naples with some lunch
Flight Back

Option 3) -->
Head to Pompeii (Reach by 2 pm)
3 hours in Pompeii
If possible, include Vesuvius
Night in Sorrento
Amalfi Coast Bus to Posetano and then Naples


Frankly, the idea of Capri really excites me, and i want to just see the amalfi coast a bit if possible. Would spending a few hours in the morning at Sorrento suffice? (modification to Option 2)

Am i really missing out a lot without Pompeii?

Cheers

kybourbon

I wouldn't want to depend on ferries to Capri in November when the weather might be bad.

Curreri runs a bus from Sorrento to the airport (10€ one way).
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html

Rushil

Thanks. Are cancellations very common in case of bad weather? I read that hydrofoils are impacted more than the ferries...

Im thinking of spending the night in Capri and taking a Ferry back the next day, to Sorrento and spending some time there/amalfi coast before heading back to Naples (No Pompeii)

How does that sound?

To be safe, i could book a refundable hotel and not go to Capri if the weather is bad. (Just have to decide a few days in advance on whether to cancel or not) How busy is Sorrento at that time, to be able to find a hostel/hotel last minute?

ggreen

Well, there are plenty of good things to do in Naples that would take up more than the day you have! But I understand wanting to see more of the area, too.

I'd think in November, planning to travel by water (e.g., to Capri) could be hit-or-miss - and you've put a lot into that day, assuming the weather (and thus the ferry) will work in your favor. It sounds like Capri is your top priority; if that's the case, then go with option 1 and know that you might not get to see anything else.

FYI, Sorrento is not on the Amalfi Coast. It does share the Sorrentine Peninsula with the A/C, but is on the near side facing the Bay of Naples. Sorrento is a cute enough town, and I like your idea to stay there if you head out to Pompeii. You also could stay in Pompeii itself. (There was a post on this board sometime within the last two years where someone had a good experience doing so - you could do an advanced search and see if you find it.)

There also are some great trip reports that include wonderful experiences in Naples. Here's one (linked to the part where Naples starts):
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-6749994

For historical weather trends at that time of year, go to Weather Underground (wunderground.com) and use the Trip Planner.

RJD

With the little time available I would not move around all that much. You can stay in Napes and explore the place instead of spending many hours in transit to Capri and to the Blue Grotto, which is quite a ways away from the ferry docks and frankly not a very interesting site.
Pompeii is more worth the effort, but that's a lot of travelling especially with a night in Sorrento and the need to get back to the Naples airport by roughly 2pm.

Anna_Galea

Whatever you do, give plenty of time allowance to catch plane. I know you are going in November, but you can easily get stuck in traffic on the Amalfi coast, particularly in Positano where there would be no side road to deviate. We had got stuck on its main one way road for at least 2 hours because a man fainted due to a heart attack, and car movement was stopped until an ambulance came. Unfortunately he passed away, that is why it took so long, as police, etc needed to be present. I know this is a one-off, but you never know what you might encounter on the narrow roads of the Amalfi Coast - so allow extra time to reach Naples, since you would have a plane to catch on the same day.

I do not think it would be hard to find hotel in Sorrento in November, in case you would need to book last minute due to bad weather regarding Capri stay, since it would be low season. Check out your preferences and availibility on booking.com prior to arriving, and list down their tel.nos, addresses, and location (the closer to the harbour the better, as hydrofoil to Capri leaves from there - and main square is a short walk away). In December 2010 we were in Sorrento and we saw no queus at all at the ferry booking office (but we did not visit Capri).

If it were me, I would not sleep in Capri, but on arrival I would head to Sorrento and check in at an accomodation very close to and overlooking the harbour and Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. The views there are breathtaking. Hopefully (depending on the itinerary of the ferry crossings) you might go and visit Capri for a few hours in the afternoon, maybe returning to Sorrento in the evening. That way you would save some time the next morning to make your Positano visit and return to Naples to catch your flight. Also you would lessen the risk that you might be delayed in Capri on your day of flight due to bad weather. Wind conditions can change even overnight.

The city centre and main square of Sorrento is not impressive, it is the lovely walk above along the coast or down by the harbour which makes this town so unique. So you may have some time to wander around late evening after your arrival from Capri, thus fitting in everything.

Personally I was not that impressed and was disappointed by the Pompeii ruins, but of course it is all a matter of taste. The famous basilica of Our Lady of Pompeii also makes a nice visit if you are in the area - it is very close to the ruins, a five minute walk.

You have a very short visit, so make sure you plan and time everything well, wherever you ultimately decide to visit.

Enjoy your trip!

ggreen

Anna_Galea suggests a good option. If you decide to try her plan plus visit Pompeii, know that there is a left luggage service at Pompeii-Scavi. Thus, you could visit Pompeii on your way back to Naples after a night in Sorrento.

In that scenario, I would take the Curreri Viaggi bus from Naples airport directly to Sorrento. Then to return to Naples via Pompeii, take the Circumvesuviana train from its terminus in Sorrento to Pompeii-Scavi, and then again from there to Napoli Termini.

Rushil

I think i'm ready to skip Pompeii.

Im quite keen on spending the night in Capri if possible, but can keep Sorrento as a backup (last minute hostel/hotel shouldnt be too hard in November)

Thanks for the headsup on traffic near Posetano.

ggreen- thanks for letting me know that Sorrento wasnt on A/C! i was under the wrong impression all this while.... are the views very different on both sides though? if so, is there some way to just enjoy the views a bit without having to take a bus all the way to Posetano?

Rushil

If i take a bus directly to Sorrento and then a ferry to Capri for a few hours- how much time would i have in Capri? Enough to see Monte Solaro? the chair lifts seem really cool..

ggreen

Rushil, I was originally under the same impression, so I'm glad to be of help.

Sorrento has incredible views of Mount Vesuvius, plus Capri and Naples across the bay. The views *out* from the Amalfi Coast are of the sea and on a clear day, a few distant islands. However, the landscape itself is much more dramatic on that side of the peninsula.

I've never been to Capri. On our last trip two years ago, we had thought we might go on a day trip but spent our time on the A/C instead. IMO, with your brief amount of time, pick one or the other...

Rushil

Thanks. Ill be sure to spend a couple of hours in Sorrento in the morning before heading back to Naples.
Dont think theres enough time to do the A/C drive.. ill ask my friend about the scooter option

ulysses79

You may want to check if the Blue Grotto is accessible in November. I visited in winter (January) and it was closed. Capri is nice but I imagined it to be much more exciting. I much preferred the Amalfi Coast.
With such a short time I suggest you concentrating on Naples, and perhaps Pompeii. A good idea is to combine the Archaeology Museum in the city with a visit to the site (Pompeii).

kybourbon

>>>If i take a bus directly to Sorrento and then a ferry to Capri for a few hours- how much time would i have in Capri? <<<

The ferries do not run late even in summer (7 or 8 pm). In Nov., I would think about an hour or so before dark at the latest. I would think it would be getting dark around 5 or 6.

Rushil

>>>With such a short time I suggest you concentrating on Naples, and perhaps Pompeii. A good idea is to combine the Archaeology Museum in the city with a visit to the site (Pompeii).<<<
Ulysses79- while i have heard that Pompeii is definitely worth a visit, im not much of a history/museum buff, and would prefer to roam around somewhere pretty instead of something which may be more historically significant.

@kybourbon- thats what i thought. ive booked a hotel at Capri itself for the night, and will move out in the morning

Anna_Galea

Yes, the views of the Amalfi coast and Sorrento coast are different and both spectacular.

ggren described the Sorrento coast well, it has the wide open views of the Gulf of Naples, the Vesuvius, and Naples and surroundings hills in the background. It looks so majestic, believe me, from the harbour of Sorrento it feels like you are touching the Vesuvius.

If you do ultimately decide to visit Capri, you will catch this view for sure, as the hydrofoil ferry leaves right at the harbour of Sorrento. Check times on website, as another Fodorite suggested, as I have no idea on schedules, and till what time in the evening. When we were in December the crossings were working in the afternoon, but I have no idea till what time they work. There was no queue whatsoever at the ticket office, in fact I was going to try and tempt my husband to cross to Capri for a couple of hours, but we instead decided to go and check in our apartment hotel in Vico Equense, and go to the Edenlandia fun park near Naples in the evening, as our kids wanted to go there.

The Amalfi coast is so different from Sorrento Coast. It has the most amazing scenery, with rugged cliffs hanging out to the sea, and towns and villages, built on them, so you see brightly coloured houses built terraced on them that look like they are reaching out to the sea, really really beautiful. I do not think I would sacrifice that for Capri, unless you intend to visit this southern part of Italy again. We had found accomodation on the Montepertuso mountain, which is a mountain above Positano, and from that height, the view of the Amalfi coast is beautiful, especially in the nightime, as it was Christmas time, and towns and villages were all lit up. Positano was like one huge Christmas tree itself. But I am sure that Amalfi coast is lovely in the evening anytime of year, as the lit houses would still look lovely since many are built on the cliffs or high up in the hills. The view of Positano is best as you go along the Amalfi Coast, not from the town itself of course. So just visiting Positano would not show you the lovely views the coast has to offer.

To save lots of time, how about hiring a private driver in the morning (on arrival from Capri), who would pick you up from Sorrento harbour and take you around the Amalfi coast, he would know where to stop you for the best views for sure. Then he might drive you to Naples, that way you would save a lot of time compared to using public transport, especially since he would be an experienced driver in the area. You might even ask him to take you to Pompeii if you arrive early and you would have time for a quick visit at the ruins. You might literally manage to fit in everything.

I have not visited Capri, but I would imagine that it would be extremely quiet in November, although of course it would still be nice.

Whatever you decide, keep in mind that your time is limited, so you really have to plan you time well, and make sure that you arrive at airport well on time.

ggreen

<i>Dont think theres enough time to do the A/C drive. ... would prefer to roam around somewhere pretty instead of something which may be more historically significant</i>

If you can make it work, the A/C is so pretty! But with an overnight on Capri plus a 4pm airport departure, you might want to consider something not so far-flung... In Naples, the Certosa di San Martino (and nearby Castel Sant' Elmo) might fit the bill. Unfortunately, these Fodors Destinations reviews don't have photos, but I'd say the view is worth it even if you're not interested in the art within:

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/i...iew-98762.html

http://www.fodors.com/world/europe/i...ew-204532.html

In the trip report I posted earlier, Marija mentions a lunch place near those two sites. Here's a link to that part of the thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-6782689

FWIW, this is another good trip report of Naples and surrounds:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m-and-rome.cfm


// Anna_Galea, I enjoy your writing very much! Beautiful descriptions that make it so easy to revisit a place in the mind's eye.

valagenn

Seeing the ancient ruins of Pompeii was great, but Capri/Positano are absolutely gorgeous.The Blue Grotto is a hit and miss. It's very touristy- and very crowded, but stunning.

Anna_Galea

ggreen, thanks for the compliement, I'm flattered - it's that when I am in beautiful places that fascinate me most, like the Amalfi Coast, I try and make sure that memories of them stay put in my mind. Another place that really fascinates me is Piazza San Marco in Venice, so majestic, huge and rich in architecture, I just could not tear away from it on our last night in Venice. Anyone who is in love with Venice would understand what I mean.

Yes, it would be very hectic for Fodorite to do it all, but pity that the opportunity of at least a little visit to Amalfi Coast would be missed. I really think she should hire a private driver (many would be available in low season for sure, and might get a good deal if he/she shops around and specifically asks for a special offer, even due to the low season, prices always go down (this was the case when we visited the Grotta della Smeralda on AC in December).

Plus, there is a big recession again in Italy and it was on the Italian news this week that one in four people can't make ends meet in southern Italy, so probably they would lover prices even more in low season).

Many tourists who travel on cruise liners to Amalfi Coast (they land in Naples) hire a private driver due to the limited hours they would have available, even for a half day. I would certainly pay that extra money, and make the most of this very short stay. I think you can even book them online. So OP - you might get a good deal. Maybe some Fodorites who have used this service may give their suggestions on booking a private driver, I am sure they can even be booked online.

If OP meets up with driver early in the morning at Sorrento harbour where the ferry from Capri docks, it might be arranged that he would take OP for a half day to the best sites on Amalfi Coast, and in time to catch a flight at 4pm, if lucky, might even arrange with him so they make a quick visit to Pompeii (2 hours is more than enough - when we went in December there was no queue whatsoever at ticket office, and ruins were empty), and lastly take him/her to Naples airport.

These would be experienced drivers who do this every day in the Summer season, and they would sure know shortest routes to take. Besides, there would not be the usual traffic that is so typical of AC in the Summer.

I would certainly be willing to pay that little extra money for this service, as one never really knows whether there would be an opportunity to visit the same area or region of a country in the near future. Plus of course not forgetting the comfort of it.

You might really manage to fit in everything if you organize this very short visit well.

It is very important that, as a Fodorite suggested, you check the schedule of the ferries to Capri in November, both for both days that you will be using it.

Happy planning!!!

ggreen

<i>it's that when I am in beautiful places that fascinate me most, like the Amalfi Coast, I try and make sure that memories of them stay put in my mind.</i>

I agree with this sentiment so much! It's funny, I take so many photos while on vacation, but it's words that I end up using to remember the places.

Rushil, there have been a number of threads on this forum about drivers and guides for Bay of Naples/Amalfi Coast. If you're interested, take a look at any of these. Some are older; you could comment on them asking for updated info...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...r-services.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-sorrento.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ate-driver.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-august.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ivate-boat.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-naples-1.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-in-winter.cfm