Amalfi or Positano
 

We are planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast and Venice in early November. We basically want to see Pompeii and Herculaneum. Cannot figure out whether it would be better to stay in Positano or Amalfi from the transport point of view, bearing in mind also that we will be arriving by train from Rome airport (so for the airport trips we could go via Salerno - but does Salerno connect with Pompeii)? Does anybody have any thoughts on this? Also, would it be feasible to do both sites in one day ( without it being completely rushed)? Thanks!

FI-Hi:<BR>We're doing the Amalfi Coast in October and from all that I have learned from this post is: if you are able and willing to do all of the steps associated With Positano its a beautiful town and a great place to base your Amalfi stay. We decided since we will have a car that it would be best to stay in Ravello (2 nights) Amalfi (1) night and Sorrento for (3 nights. All of the towns have bus, tours groups or indivuial guides to Pompeii. After posting the question " best way to see Pompeii" I received lots of replys EVERYONE said the same thing, use a guide which you pick up at the entrance. Don't think both sites are doable in the same day. We were told 4 hours @ Pompeii. Have a great time but don't try to see and do to much in one trip.

Very wise choice of regions, but looks like you haven't studied Amalfi geographyh much. See maporama.com or http://www.ondaverde.it/arrivarei.htm<BR><BR>Pompeii/Herc is on the little commuter train between Naples and Sorrento. Very inconvenient from Amalfi/Salerno, possible via lengthy bus from Positano.<BR><BR>Herc is redundant with Pompeii if you are pressed for time; better preserved but tiny and not nearly as majestic. Pompeii has advantage of free luggage storage - perfect stop on the way from a hotel checkout on the way to a night train from Naples to Venice.<BR><BR>If you're near the Salerno end, consider the incredible Greek(!) ruins of Paestum by a train or bus trip south. I don't know why Positano gets such positive press in this forum except as a hideaway from summer crowds. It's an overpriced, pretentious, inconvenient place worth an hour stop. Amalfi even less appealing. Capri gets my prize for atmosphere; Sorrento for convenience. Much depends on the time of year which is late for you.

Thanks, Donna and jt. I have done quite a bit of research (though jt's site suggestions for travel and map info are excellent). I certainly know that the Circumvesuviana runs up from Sorrento to Pompei, so that would probably be the best route to Pompei from Sorrento (though would be slow, I think, for getting to and from Naples and thence back to Rome). What I cannot ascertain though, is whether the train from Salerno stops at the correct station in Pompei for the ruins (Pompei-Scavi). The Trenitalia website is pretty helpful but unfortunately does not recognise Pompei-Scavi OR Sorrento as being stations! I believe there is a bus from Salerno to Pompei but am not sure whether it would be running in November. Does anybody have any info on these specifics?<BR><BR>Also - isn't it interesting how different people can have such different views about places? (I felt like this about Mautitius - everyone raves about it, and when I visited, I just didn't see what the fuss was about....) I have read predominantly favourable postings about both Amalfi and Positano, though the odd smattering of negatives about both. I fear Amalfi (and possibly Positano also) may be completely 'dead' in November, but don't really mind as we are going for the scenery and day trips! Would rather this than jostle with the hordes in August!

Hi jt - your mention of taking a night train up to Venice got me thinking, as we were planning to fly. We could get a train direct from Salerno if we stay in Amalfi. Also toying with the idea of a brief stop in Rome which would make my husband happy as he's keen to re-visit, albeit briefly (could get there by train for lunchtime, spend the afternoon and evening, then there is a direct night train up to Venice). Very grateful for the input.

I suggest saving Rome for another trip. The city deserves more than a day, (and it would be hard to prioritize what to see in such a short time). On top of this, you will need one day just to get your bearings.<BR><BR>I second a visit to Paestrum which is close to Salerno. This is considered one of the best Hellenic sites.

Thanks for the thoughts, guys. We are now flying into Naples, booked at Le Sirenuse in Positano for 3 nights, then are doing this whistle-stop afternoon and evening in Rome before overnighting on the train to Venice for 4 nights at Ca'Pisani. There are some great deals on these hotels in the low season - would be out of the question normally. I know Rome-lovers will think this brief visit is a hanging offence but I just want to see it to convince myself that I have to go back and do it properly (we are only in the UK so not a big hassle -it's just that I went there briefly many years ago and didn't really like it much....whereas my husband loves it and wants to visit again 'properly'). Sounds like a hectic schedule but we have 4 relaxed days in beautiful Venice at the end! Will be searching the messages for restaurant recommendations before we leave! Personally, I'm a devotee of Florence but thought it was about time I saw some new bits of Italy.

The Ferrovie dello Stato trains from Salerno to Pompei stop at the station in the modern city, NOT the Scavi station (where the Circumvesuviana train stops). The FS Station is a longer walk to the ruins. There is also bus service from Salerno to Pompei, from the square outside the train station in Salerno. There is also direct bus service from Naples to Amalfi in two hours: 5 buses Monday through Saturday.

You will love Le Sirenuse. We visited Venice and Positano in May and they were both wonderful. Have a great trip!