Amalfi Coast/Naples
 

We have 6 days in August, in Italy (flying in & out of Rome & must stay the last night in Rome). We don't mind switching hotels - we just want to make sure we see:

1. Naples National Archaeological Museum
2. Pompeii
3. Vesuvius
4. Paestum
5. Herculaneum

Wondering:

1. Stay in one central location (e.g. Sorrento) or move hotels?
2. What else should we see (e.g. Capri, Positano, Ravello)
3. How we should get around (coming in to Rome in the early morning).

Thanks for your help - Experienced travellers are the best resource!

Ciao!

Since you are new here, I will give you a tip or two. Questions like this one are asked here over and over. Rather than ask people to provide answers to these questions, yet again, I would advise you to do a few searches and get a feel for the area by reading other threads as well as the info on the "Destinations" page. It is difficult to respond to a question such as "what should we see" without knowing a little about you and your tastes, budget, prior travel experience in Italy, plans to rent a car or not, etc etc.

All of those locations are "worth seeing."

The question is: How to fit them all in in the highest of high seasons and with a limited time frame. How to get around depends on your budget. Can you afford a private driver for a day or two to do day trips, or can you rent a car (probably not advisable in August) or do you plan to get around by public transport???

I will take a quick stab and advise splitting your stay into two overnight destinations: Naples and the town of Amalfi. Now, do your homework and return quickly!

Well I haven't been there yet but I'm going in three weeks and have done probably hundreds of hours of research (plus I've been to Italy 4 previous times).

We arrive in Rome at 9:30 and I am hoping we get to Sorrento by about 3pm - the total travel time is less than 3 hours but it's three separate trains (express from airport to Rome train station, fast train from there to Naples train station, slow local train from there to Sorrento). So unless you can afford a private driver getting there will eat up most of the first day.

People are divided as to how long for Pompeii - lots of people feel 2-4 hours is plenty, others say you should allow an entire day. So some people seem to have successfully combined Pompeii with a trip to archaeological museum as a one day trip, others feel it takes two.

You can see Vesuvius from Pompeii. Did you mean you want to go up it? I haven't done much research on Herculaneum but I think I have read that you can do Pompeii, Herculaneum and the arch museum in one long day but if it is a serious interest you probably need at least two.

Paestum sounds like an entire day trip from Sorrento or Amalfi but maybe I'm wrong about that - I'm not planning on that trip.

So it looks like at best you have one or two days for the Amalfi Coast itself and/or Capri. I think you should decide if the archaeological sites are your primary interest and you'll just get a look at the Amalfi Coast, or if you want to combine the arch sites into two days and have more time for the coast.

Most of the things you want to see can be easily accessed by train from Naples. Capri and Positano can be accessed by aliscafo from Naples as can Amalfi. Ravello you can take a bus to from the Amalfi coast. You have a really short time to do everything you want. Also, if you're talking about this August, you may have a hard time getting a hotel on the Amalfi coast (Sorrentine peninsula). It's packed in August because all of August the whole of Europe is on vacation and going to the Italian beaches.

If Pompeii is your interest you might like this (free) online course from Yale on Roman art and architecture. This session and the next few are on Pompeii http://oyc.yale.edu/history-of-art/r...lecture04.html

Eks, I love your info on Italy travel, it is most insightful, but please don't try to advise folks on how to conduct their information seeking on European travel. I agree, a lot of inquries could be answered with a simple Google search, however theese folks may have advised to start their research with Fodors (sound advice). Instead of directing people from the site, lets try to provide some insight, the questions asked were pretty forthright, and as we can see, people have responded with advice. Let's not make this a site for "elitists" on European travel.

Mikek

Sorry, I agree with ekscrunchy. She wasn't directing the OP necessarily to Google but to research as a concept, including on Fodor's Destination pages. As eks pointed out, we don't know anything about these travelers, so it's not possible for us to prioritize their sightseeing or even choose where they should stay. Heck, the regular posters here who have been to the Naples/Amalfitano area many times can't agree on those two issues.

All good advice & I appreciate it. I had consulted several websites & books & found it all to be too much info! Remember back when we didn't have access to all this! But I went to the bookstore & bought a book, will study up & will come back!

Though I do appreciate the info on the 3 train trip to Sorrento & the reality check that we're not there that long (just 4 non-travel days). We want to see as much ancient history as possible so I'll focus on that & plan on seeing the rest on the next trip!

Oh & the reminder about crowds in August is important - I need to get our hotels booked!

Isabel - I'll be looking for your trip report! Have a wonderful time!

When I went to the AC we stayed in Naples, Capri, and Ravello for a total of 10 days.. I realize you said you have six days and seem to really be into archeology. I really think at least one night on Capri is nice, two is better. We stayed about five nights in Ravello. Paestum is a little far. Our Pompeii tour was three hours with a private guide. I suspect it would have taken longer and we would not have seen as much on our own. Choose what is really important and consider that August will be crowded. We went in May. Crowds may mean it takes you more time to get somewhere or see what you want to. I loved this area. Good luck and happy travels!!!!

Sorry to interject, but mimipam, can you please say which guide you used at what cost and whether you'd recommend them|?

Sorry..I should have suggested that the OP try a search here on the forums, not just a Google search.

You can do Paestum in half a day from the Amalfi Coast towns IF you go with a driver, or in your own car. Otherwise you do need to allow more time. You can go by public transport from either the AC or Naples. If you have not seen Greek temples before, such as in Greece or Sicily, I almost think Paestum would be a must given your indication of an interest in archeological sites/ancient history.

..I mean, I MEANT a search here, NOT a Google search!!!

Hello Ma-Mom,

Check my answer in the forum to "Taxi" (vs "driver) for Amalfi Coast in Aug? by EdEdwards.

Giuseppe, our driver for the Amalfi Coast trip does tours to most of the places which you would like to visit. I'm sure he could give you suggestions as to how some of this might be accomplished, - - he's fair - cheaper than most - a delightful person to be around, and doesn't try to push you into anything. Just makes suggestions and leaves the choices to you. If you can only do one tour, make it Positano/Amalfi/Ravello. I'm still in a trance and my trip with Giuseppe was almost two weeks ago! He's located in Sorrento which would be a good base for all the places you want to visit. Have a great trip.
Montanabrit

Hi Lifeman,
We used Benvenuto Limo service. Go to their website www.benvenutolimos.com for info. Our driver for the most part was Giovanni. He obtained our private guide for Pompeii for us and she was excellent. You can contact them and they will give you prices. His parents also drove us on different days. I cannot remember the cost but it was not inexpensive but we thought well worth it. Giovanni was extremely prompt with info and email. Happy travels!!!

One more thing, I don't believe he offered as much then but was in the planning stages of increasing his services. His father had kept the business small but Giovanni knew he could expand because of the internet.

Thanks mimipam. I'm really lookinmg for a guide only service as it seems that the best way to get to Pompeii Scavi is by train from Sorrento. Do you remember the guide's name?

It will be REALLY hot, especially at Pompeii - take water, hats and I wish I had taken a small fold-up umbrella to keep the sun off. Oh, and I'm from Sydney where we are used to hot summers.

Do not have contact info for guide. Her husband was a gov't official (maybe city) and I believe she worked as she wanted to. Sorry.

We just returned from 3 weeks in Paris and Italy. It was very hot the last week of our trip in Rome and Positano. We tried to do any sightseeing/touring in the morning and take it easy in the heat of the day. Maybe you should pick Pompeii or Herculaneum and Naples musuem and then take a more relaxing day on the coast. We were in Positano last week and it was already very crowded with tourists and we were told it is overwhelmed in August. Remember you can go back...