ekc

Getting back to the revised itinerary, with only 4 nights there really is no need to waste valuable vacation time switching hotels. Everything you want to do on days 3 and 4 (Capri and AC) you can do just as easily from Naples as from Sorrento. kja's suggestion to see the AC is a good one - take the 30-minute train from Naples to Salerno, then take the 8:30 ferry from Salerno to Amalfi, explore Amalfi and/or Ravello for a couple of hours, have lunch, then take the ferry from Amalfi to Positano, explore for a couple of hours, then take either the ferry or the Coast to Coast bus from Positano to Sorrento and then the Circumvesuviana train to Naples.

www.coopsantandrea.com for ferry schedules.

annhig

agreed, ekc. sounds like a nice, if long day.

My only caveat would be that we waited for a bus from Sorrento to Positano for quite a long time and eventually gave up - I think that the ferries may be more reliable.

ekc

Yes, the SITA bus can be problematic, which is why I thought the Coast to Coast bus might be a better option.

Ferry would be a good option - they would just have to be sure to catch the last one at 4:55 (current schedule).

Blueeyedcod

<What was unusual about Naples IME is that there are totally unlit areas right off the main street.>

That's completely false. What 'main street' are you talking about by the way - there are many. The areas where a tourist would walk are very well lit. If they look a little dim, there are always lights on in homes/businesses. It's not some bleak underworld necessitating a sherpa and miner's helmet.

The Coast to Coast bus is a good option but it is expensive in comparison to the local bus and is sightseeing only. Some confuse it for transportation and try to take luggage on board.

annhig

I ought to add that if running, the bus would be more convenient than the ferry as it stops near the railway station in Sorrento.

you might also be able to get a ferry from Sorrento back to Naples rather than having to go all the way up to the station to catch the train.

kja

ekc wrote, "kja's suggestion to see the AC is a good one" -- Thanks! But just for the record, I seconded (and then expanded on) one of Jean's recommendations. Credit where credit is due!

Also, I wonder if reversing direction would give one wider transportation options? My guess is that the trains run later than the ferries....

dreamon

This and another thread have either said or implied that there are frequent ferries between Positano and Sorrento. When we were there in May there were only one or two per day and when I use the website mentioned above, there are none listed at all.

itspat

Many thanks for the replies and discussion. Trying to convince my better half that Naples is a better base than Sorrento given our timeframe. We are looking at all out tours/agenda activities now from Naples. Sorrento somehow seemed "magical" for night strolls and such from the shows we've seen, but maybe it's just an idea in my head or possible anywhere in the area. I definitely am aware of the geography in the area - just wasn't sure they didn't consider Sorrento as part of the Amalfi coast region since it's always mentioned as the base. Maybe "gateway" is the right term. Thanks for Naples location suggestions for possible hotels.

Can't wait for good seafood and pizza, wine, archaeology, and a slice of relaxation! I'm going to try and figure out the next leg of our trip...

Blueeyedcod

itspat - take those nightly strolls you dream of along the Naples waterfront from Via Nazario Sauro to Via Partenope and as far as Villa Communale (big parkland on the water). This slide show gives you an idea what to expect. Play from about 2.12 onward - its from the perspective of a guy on a bike but imagine this gorgeous area at night.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzwIpqAgLmE

itspat

Wondering if anyone knows about the Starhotels Terminus in Naples? It seems convenient to the bus, train, and bus to airport (and walking to L'Antica Pizzeria Michel!) but I'm not sure how you all feel about this particular area.

Much of the input on here has been to base in Naples... Rick Steves' forum members (including Rick himself!) recommend Sorrento... go figure!

Would you recommend starting a day trip of the Amalfi Coast from Naples? Many of them seem to start from Sorrento, but if we're sleeping in Naples, what time would you make your way to Sorrento (or Salerno on the other end, haven't decided yet) to get a good tour in? We will either do a shared van trip by road or possibly the ferry option mentioned earlier on the thread.

Thanks.

kja

The choice of a base really depends on one's interests and time frame. I think many of us are saying that for YOUR interests, and with so little time, basing in Naples makes more sense.

Because ferries won't run as late as trains, I'd start with the legs that you plan to do by ferry, end in Salerno, and take the train back to Naples from there. Depending on the weather, you might consider ferry from Naples to Capri, ferry from Capri to Positano or Amalfi, bus to Salerno, train to Naples. (I admit that I don't know whether the timing would work for that, but it's something to check! ;-) )

ekc

I agree with kja - I would take either take the train to Sorrento and ferry to Positano, or ferry to Capri and ferry to Positano (www.capri.net for ferry schedules), then ferry to Amalfi, then ferry to Salerno where you can catch the train back to Naples.

itspat

Thanks. This is what we are planning to do - probably via Capri.

Back to a previous query... Thoughts on staying in Piazza Garibaldi area? Figured it would be easiest for at least train (archaeology sites, possibly Paestum) and airport bus, but most places highly recommend against it in light of the local "charm".

kja

To each his / her own. I (solo female) stayed just off Spaccanapoli, by the university, in an area that many people claimed unsafe (at least when I went). I had no problems and liked the liveliness created by the students -- and the plausible safety given that there were people about at just about all hours. But we all need to make our own judgements about how we handle potentially "challenging" areas. Good luck!

Tina86

I counsel you on September 4 to Stay in Naples for PROXIMITY airport.
I know the area well and it's great , you have to organize themselves to do everything you have in mind, for example for Capri need a day to stay a while at the beach, take a ride in the shops and in the "piazzetta" I love it!
To Pompeii and Herculaneum, (Amazing!) I booked a tour with
http://www.pompeiitours.guide/ which included private driver and private guide, given the distances so we preferred, we loved it here
Good Luck!

annhig

How kind of Tina86 to join Fodors to tell us [twice - she's there on another thread doing the same thing] about this great tour firm.

on the other thread she apparently visited the area in June, rather than knowing it well.

yellow triangle pressed.