My boyfriend and I are doing a Mediterranean/Egypt cruise in Sept. 2010, and one of the stops will be in Naples. The ship will be docked from 7am to 7pm and we wanted to try and fit in seeing Pompeii, as well as one other town if possible. Between Capri, Ravello and Positano, which would you recommend going to? From the pictures, they look very similar. We are in our mid and late 20s are are looking for something scenic, but also a place with a bit more buzz where we can do a little shopping, or grab a drink at a local cafe and take in the sights. I appreciate any recommendations!

You would probably enjoy Capri as there are shops and places for drinks. Capri has quite a few very expensive shops. If you choose this then go to Ana Capri at the top of Capri where the scenery will be spectacular, not that I am not saying it is not beautiful from Capri.

I am older and have been to all of these place. Capri my first time. This past Oct. a group of us hired a driver for the Amalfi coastline visiting Ravello-some neat shops here,but a very quiet, place not as touristy. Then to Amalfi which is busier with cafes, and then to Positano which has many shops and places to stop for food -very hilly down to the water. We used a driver from Sorrento Silver which was great as we made our own route to travel.



I do not think you can do both Capri and the other towns in one day stop off the ship. I would choose either Capri or the coast drive.

I agree with maryanne1...Capri is absolutely beautiful, but the Anacapri is spectacular! If you go, be sure to ride the chair lift to the top. There's a little gelato cafe, not to mention an amazing view of the ocean. You'll feel like you're on top of the world.

Also, I highly recommend Sorrento. We stopped there on our cruise with SeaDream and it is beautiful! Lots of good shopping too, and it's much cheaper and closer than Capri.

Really, anywhere you go along the coast is going to be amazing.

I think Pompeii and Capri would be a bit of a rush - you need to allow for ferry times there and back, and Pompeii is a large site to explore and take in. Positano is pretty but can be heaving with tourists and some of the clothes shops seemed to be dressing Dynasty still.
Sorrento has a lot to offer - the main Tasso Square has cafes , there are walks in the Marinas ( Piccolo and Grande ) anda small park overlooking the bay. There is a charming and eclectic mix of shops from Armani, Harmonte and Blaine and Paul& Shark through lovely hand decorated pottery to tourist "tat". You can get good silk scarves, pashmeenas and ties very cheaply in the little alleyways and if you like gloves a Signor Thompson has a very good little shop not far from the main square.( I know it is not a terribly Italian name but I didn't delve into his antecedents ) Leather goods generally are cheap. .There is a beautiful old open chapel-style building which appears to be a form of Club for the men of Sorrento and the painted walls and ceiling are worth seeing. One thing you should not miss is Davide's - the epitome of Italian ice cream. I put on weight just looking at the vast array of ice creams and sorbets and you need days to work your way through the list. On your wanderings you will find shops selling and giving free tastings of Limoncello, a local liqueur-style drink based on lemon and with the ability to sever your cortex and remove your memory. If you wish to try this - do so in moderation or take lots of photos before hand so you can see where you've been when you are back aboard and your eyes are focussing again.

It would be hard to do both. For Capri you simply walk out of dock area and right there is the ticket office for boat to Capri so its quite easy to get to. Once there take the tram up to Capri town and if you want to go to Anacapri you catch the bus from there to Anacapri. When you return you can get the bus back to either Capri town or to the harbor. Tours of the Blue G leave from harbor.
on the other hand
If you want to go to Pompeii you exit the dock, stop at the coffee shop there and buy 4 le tickets, 1 each way for two people. Take the bus or tram to the termini. One there you will take the local Circumvesuviana train. As you enter the station you will be going to your right around a corner you buy your ticket there 3e.each way (buy RT) then go through the gate and down the stairs to the first track (its marked)Get off at Pompeii Scavi and follow the crowd to the entry gate a short walk. Train takes about 30 min. Do the reverse on your return and take the bus back to harbor.
or on the third hand
You can explore Naples and go the Archaeological Museum that has the best art etc from Pompeii. To get there you again need bus tickets. Take the bus directly across the street from where you exit the port, on the far side of the street going up hill. It goes up, turns around and heads back to termini. There you transfer to the correct bus. Driver will give you number. Naples bus's have no real rime or reason that I ever been able to figure out but the bus does stop right at the door and so its easy to get to and back to your docking boat. Watch yourself as Naples does have pickpockets!

Thank you all for your recommendations!

Sorento, Positano - beautiful......Worth the day excursion
Archaeological Museum is fab...Most museums are closed on Monday but this one is closed on TUESDAY so plan accordingly

I don't think Naples is all that interesting at all. I have been in this area several times but never on a cruise. If you are only there one day... that is sad. This is why I haven't been on a cruise to Europe. I am only saying this for food for thought. So much is missed when you don't spend time mixing in with the region. I think it is so much better to stay in one region for at least 4-5 days instead of going to many countries or ports. Rushing into these towns is so against Italian culture and way of life. With that said your plans are set to cruise and these are all great places.
Pompei and Ravello are good together- Go to lunch at Hotel Palumbo http://www.hotelpalumbo.it/en/restaurant you will have the most amazing setting, views and glorious food. See the link to get you in the mood! For Pompei I strongly recommend a tour private or group. The details that our guide pointed out we would not have seen on our own. Pompei is fascinating.
Or
Capri - Stay there all day take a ferry from Amalfi. Great shopping. Jackie O made Tricia of Capri Sandals famous way back when. The store is no longer in town but there are others that make great custom sandals such as these. http://tucciadicapri.com/styles.php Blue Grotto is beautiful... http://www.capri.com/en/grotta-azzurra Eat lunch on the terrace here http://www.quisisana.com/en/dining More on Capri here http://www.capri.com/en/come-arrivare

Positano is so lovely too. I would just stay there all day as well. I love this hotel- eat lunch here http://www.sirenuse.it/Eng/Home.asp. There is an amazing little shop right on the beach walk that sells great cover ups. They are about 30-40 dollars but are worth so much more. My friend that met me Postiano had come from Sisily at a spa and had bought the same ones for over a hundred dollars each. They are made in Positano at this little shop next door to Chez Black Cafe. http://www.chezblack.it/photogallery.php Chez Black is a great place too. See the pics on this site to give you a good feeling of Positano.
Don't forget to have some lemoncello bring some home too. Excellent to make Lemondrop martini's with along with fresh lemon juice and a splash of lemonade.

ggfinds...totally agree with you about cruises. When you only have a few hours you mainly hit the shopping areas and really don't get a chance to be a part of the area - which is why we don't cruise either. Had a friend who was on a cruise and had to see Florence. So she took a train from the Port near Rome up to Florence, had about 2 hours in Florence and then came back - now I ask you - why bother - that would be torture for me. She just wanted to say she had been to Florence!

Went a few years ago. Hopped a train to Pompeii and then on the way back we stopped at the Herculaneum. We could have easily rode the train to Sorrento if we didn't want to stop in at the Herculaneum.