We're staying 10 nights in Rome (rented an apartment) and wanted to do an overnight (which we now realize has to be two nights) to either Lake Como, 5 Terre or Amalfi Coast. We're thinking the Amalfi Coast is probably the only one that makes sense time-wise, but since we won't have much time and have to get Pompeii in there (bucket list), I'd love some suggestions as to how to do this..train to Naples or is Salerno better? Stay in Amalfi as the owners of our apartment suggested, or is another town more central to get around from? I know we won't be able to cover everything by a long shot, but it would help to know the best means of transportation to get around, what towns are don't miss and what aren't, etc. I'm figuring doing Pompeii on the 2nd day, then back to Rome in early afternoon on third day. Is this too ambitious and are we crazy? We've been to Rome before, fyi, so we've done the major sites there...this was about being able to revisit Rome in a more leisurely manner, and also maybe take a couple of day trips in addition to the 2 nights out. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you plan to see Pompeii then stay in Sorrento. Train to Naples and then take the local commuter train to Sorrento. Pompeii Scavi is on that same line about :30 from Sorrento.
Take the ferry boat to Positano the other day.
Amalfi is too far for you to stay.

We did 3 nights in Sorrento this time last year. We travelled from Rome to Naples then changed trains to Sorrento. Stayed in a very nice BnB (http://www.casastarita.com/) in the main street less than 5 mins walk from the station.

One day we took the public bus to Almalfi stopping at Postiano for an hour then back on the bus to Almalfi for 2 hours (and lunch) before a bus to Ravello and an hour and ice cream up there. Yes it was a little rushed but it was beautiful and worthwhile. It was very inexpensive. It was late March so the traffic was not bad at all. This might not be the case on your trip.

On the second day we caught the train to Pompeii and spend 5 hours there. Then we caught another train to Naples and had the afternoon there. Again inexpensive and very easy by public transport.

We spent the final day relaxing and exploring Sorrento which was very nice. The Buffulo Inn (a slow food restaurant) where we had a final meal was fantastic

If you have 10 days in Rome I think this 2 day trip will be fine. Sure it would be great to have more time but this is still worthwhile.

Agree to stay in Sorrento - much better transit - and a larger town with more hotels, restaurants and shop.

You can start early the first day, take the train to Naples and then the local train to Pompeii and see it that afternoon, then move on to Sorrento for the evening. the following morning check out ferries down the coast for the best views of the tiny towns on the side of the cliffs - with a brief stop or two (not sure exactly how the ferries run - we did by car - but it was May and we had more time).

The following am you can grab the earliest ferry for a quick trip to Capri - then head back to Sorrento in the afternoon to get a train back to rome.

This is VERY rushed - but will get you a quick glimpse of things.

Thanks to both of you. To Bob...I've read that we could take the train from Rome to Salerno and ferry to Amalfi...and that Sorrento isn't as nice a place as Amalfi. I'm confused as to what to do, as Amalfi looks beautiful. Or, we could stay in Amalfi the first night, then Sorrento the second..but it would mean wasting time checking in and out, which probably doesn't make much sense given that we have so little time. Aargh....

If you had a week, perhaps.
Your problem is classic on the AC. Actually, Positano is the most beautiful. Next time rent and apt. for a week and explore it all. Here are my pics:

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481

You didn't say what time of year. In summer, Marozzi bus departs Rome Tiburtina station to Sorrento twice a day (7am and 3pm), but winter is only one departure. Returns are 6am and 5pm. The early bus continues on to Positano and Amalfi (again summer only). Weekend schedule may be a bit different so be sure to check. Curreri bus departs Tiburtina at 2pm for Sorrento (no Sunday service with Curreri) with returns at 6:30am.

Bob - really enjoyed your pictures ! We are going to the area in October after visiting the big 3 . We will be there from Monday to Saturday ( unfortunately Sat. is really just a breakfast and bus to Naples airport for an afternoon flight). I'm having the classic AC/Sorrento dilemma. Just curious, do you have a trip report from your stay? What would you recommend? We'd like to have a leisurely pace while seeing Capri/Pompeii and maybe Ischia too.

Well the thing is if you intend to see Pompeii, staying in Sorrento makes the most sense. It is way more convenient both to get to and to do the Pompeii visit. And while it is not as scenic as Amalfi or Positano, it is pleasant nonetheless. Some nice cliffside vistas, and decent restaurants. Hopefully besides visiting Pompeii you will have a day for on the water, either to Capri or along the coast to Positano. If you were spending more time, Amalfi might make sense but with your agenda and time constraints I think you'll be satisfied in Sorrento.

Otherwise, you might consider staying in Vietri sul Mare, the first little town on the AC along from Salerno.
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/132567370


Although not as picturesque as either Positano or Amalfi, a pleasant place and one I'd readily choose over Sorrento....
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/vietri

It's on all the bus routes that travel along the Coast, and also at the end of a way through to the Pompei side of the peninsula, so buses go to there, and surprisingly it also has the AC's only railway station - on a line with Salerno at one end, Naples at the other - and the towns of Pompei and Ercolano inbetween.

For more about most of the Sorrento Peninsula and Amalfi Coast resorts, you may like to download the useful 'Travel Directory' from the area's official tourism website, here...
http://www.costiera.it/weben/index.htm

(High time however for that to be updated, so do crosscheck any times, prices etc - and perhaps don't rely on it alone!)

Peter

PS: We've beaches of our own, so didn't go down to the sea - but try here, watching out for any that are mislabelled!
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&...mare%22&m=text

It is all about geography and transportation. You mention Pompeii, Capri, Ischia--all best done from Sorrento.
My favorite haunts are further down the coast---especially Ravello. It can all be solved with $$$. Just hire private drivers for excursions and transfers on the coast. Or, ride the crowded SITA busses, which I did not like. There is no simple answer, but good planning helps.

Thanks again to all...you've given me a lot to think about. I guess I did forget to say when we're going...we'll be in Rome starting Sept. 16, so thought we'd head to the AC about the 19th or 20th Sept. As far as hiring private drivers...not gonna happen...we're already in scary town in terms of how much this trip is going to cost, so it will be the buses for us, unfortunately.

Bob!! So excited to see your photo's. So inspirational and wonderful. We are going to AC last of Aug.and 1st week of Sept. I can see from your photo's that we chose a wonderful place to stay, in Praiano! .
Now, having said all that, what would be the best mode of transport going to the towns and villages around the Sorrento Peninsula? We are a group of six and we have rented a van in order to get around and enjoy our time together in one vehicle, however, we also realize that driving into some places won't be pratical for this leg of our journey. Any advise on the various buses available, would be appreciated. Did I hear that there are hop on and hop off bus passes that can be purchased? If so, can they be purchased online?
Thanks!

Sherrala...enjoy your trip, wherever you decide upon!
Cheers!!
Cathy

<i>"We're thinking the Amalfi Coast is probably the only one that makes sense time-wise ..."</i> - it doesn't, really. Unless you're willing to hire a car and driver to expedite the travel for you.

Something no one but Bob has mentioned - the crowded SITA buses. This can have a huge (negative) impact on your plans if you intend to get to/around the AC by bus. During busy times of the year you can waste lots of time queuing to board, then watching buses close their doors and depart without you. Fine if you have time to spare, but not so good if you're trying to cram a week's worth of sightseeing into 2-3 days.

Wow...I'm starting to think that this is a bad idea..I'm getting completely overwhelmed at the thought of dealing with all of this.Are the buses (or expensive car and driver) the only way of getting from town to town? We won't have time for more than a couple or so, anyway. If we don't do this at all, we're stuck with the apartment in Rome for 10 nights, and we certainly don't need all those days in Rome. Plan to do some day trips, and now I'm wondering if that's all we should do..but it would be disappointing not to get to see the AC.

If you scale back your expectations and narrow your sights slightly, you could still have a lovely time. Go back up to the top and read the first two posts, from Bob and emerald - there is good advice there. With only two nights, you could have an afternoon at Pompeii the day you arrive, or a morning there on the day you depart. Then a full day to devote to skimming the AC, by bus or by boat. The Bay of Naples itself is stunningly beautiful from Sorrento.

Don't think of it as being "stuck with the apartment in Rome for 10 nights." There's so much to see (and eat) in Rome. On our sixth visit to Rome we spent 10 days in an apartment and never got around to even a single day trip!

Otherwise, do as the Romans themselves often do and stay within Lazio, by going to pretty Sperlonga...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/slides_sperlonga

Several interesting towns nearby...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/lazio_more

Or you might even head for the islands...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/ventotene

Peter

Sperlonga ? Those beaches look like what I've been searching for - now I need to some more research. Options, options, options

I've been trying to find some of the best beaches in the area for a little R&R . Any other choices ?

If prepared to travel a little further, there's always the island of Ischia - also a popular weekend trip with Romans - where we've beaches aplenty, thermal spa parks and a host of other stuff...

http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/allaboutischia

Peter