Sandi

GAC,<BR><BR>You are being so helpful to me. I really appreciate your time here, as well as everyone else's. <BR><BR>I am unable to view the trenitalia website on my internet provider... it just won't come up. The ICN train at 21:40 sounds even better! But where is the Rome Ostiense stop in relation to Termini? Can I safely get a taxi there at that time of night to get back to my hotel at Piazza Navona? <BR><BR>A few more questions about other things, if you are able to answer them. <BR>On one of your earlier replies you pointed out a schedule that has a train leaving Paestum at 16:18 and arriving at Naples at 17:45. Is there another choice leaving Paestum a little bit later and still arriving in Naples in time for a brief visit to the archeological museum? I'd like to see the temples illuminated if possible. <BR><BR>How hard or easy to get a cab at the Pompeii Scavi site to the Pompeii F.S. train station? How far/long of a walk would you say? <BR><BR>Is it an affordable option to hire a private driver in Naples to just take me in a car to both Pompeii and Paestum and back to Naples? I'm not looking for an informative guide, so to say, but a safe, efficient (and friendly) transportation. But if cost is drastically higher than the trains I will forget this idea. I may post another topic about this option separately.<BR><BR>Thanks again!<BR><BR>Sandi

GAC

Sandi: I checked in Trenitalia for Saturday, December 22 (bear in mind that the schedules will change as of January 27th). There is a train leaving Paestum at 18:11, arriving in Naples at 19:40. There is another leaving at 20:25, arriving at 21:50. Neither would seem to work for you. Even if you took a bus from Paestum around 17:00 (arriving in Salerno around 18:00, then connecting to a train or bus), you would not arrive in Naples in time to see the Museo Archeologico, which closes at 19:30. So you will have to make compromises.<BR><BR>Let me try to answer your other questions: <BR><BR>1. You could certain hire a driver from Naples for a full day. This would be much more efficient than relying on public transportation, but also much, much more expensive (I would guess at least US$200). Even so, you would still not be able to see the Temples illuminated and get back to Naples in time to see the Museum.<BR><BR>2. The Pompei F.S. Station is located in the modern town of Pompei (near the famous Sanctuary of our Lady Church), about 10 minutes on foot from the EASTERN entrance to the archeological site (the main entrance is to the west). You might be able to EXIT from the eastern gate and walk to the Station. I'd check locally. Otherwise, you might have to reserve a taxi (from the main ticket office) at a predetermined time.<BR><BR>3. You should be able to take a taxi from Rome Ostiense Station to Piazza Navona upon your return from Naples, even after midnight. Ostiense is southwest of Termini, near the Piramide di Caio Cestio. It also has a metro station connected to it (going north to Termini and south to Roma E.U.R., although metro trains stop around midnight and in any event you would need a taxi to go to Piazza Navona). It's not the best time to arrive in Rome, but I would expect there to be others getting off there from the ICN train. I would not say that it is particularly dangerous, though you clearly would need to be on your guard.

sonia

I'd come down on the side of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should." YMMV, but I tend to get mental glazeover after too many fabulous sights/sites too close together with no time between to digest and mull over what I've seen. And the pressure of having to catch trains and check my watch frequently would also take the edge off for me. <BR><BR>That said, we went by bus from Positano to Paestum many years ago and enjoyed it (we were staying in Postino, and the bus ride was beautiful, along the coast to Salerno). Saw Pompeii and Vesuvio too, as a separate trip. <BR><BR>Buon viaggio, and let us know what you decide and how it works out!

Sandi

GAC,<BR><BR>One more set of questions, I think this is making sense to me now. I think it will work for me one way or another. <BR><BR>Okay. My guidebook (frommers) says Paestum closes one hour before sunset. Does this mean they kick you out actually one hour before sunset or is the last admission at approximately one hour before sunset? How do you ever see the temples illuminated if you have to leave before it's even dark yet? Any idea about what time sunset will be at Paestum on March 2nd? <BR><BR>When people say they see these temples illuminated is it just from a far distance? How far away from the entrance are they actually? <BR><BR>Maybe I should visit the museum first or second and save Paestum for last, going back to Naples for a late supper, still having time to catch the late train back to Rome. <BR><BR>Please share your opinions with me one more time. Thanks!<BR><BR>Sandi

GAC

Sandi: "Seeing" the Temples illuminated at night means viewing them from the pedestrian area outside of the gated perimeter. They are perhaps 300 yards behind the green gates which run down the entire perimeter facing the main street. You don't actually get to walk near them after dark.<BR>I don't know the exact closing time. Perhaps you could telephone the local tourist board in Paestum. Sunset should be around 6:00 p.m. or later during early March. However, the illumination may not begin until later in the evening (the tourist board should know). I really don't see how you would be able to get back to Naples in time for the 21:40 ICN train to Rome. You would be compelled to take a VERY late night train from Naples arriving in Rome in the early morning hours and probably skipping the hotel night altogether.<BR><BR>There is a train leaving Paestum at 20:25, arriving in Naples at 21.50. There is a long-distance night train leaving Naples at 22:02 and arriving in Rome Tiburtina Station at 00:58. This train originates in Sicily and is often late. Only second class seats (non-reservable). The theoretical 12 minute connction time in Naples is risky, even assuming that the train from Paestum arrives on time. The next train leaves Naples at 3:04 a.m. and arrives Roma Ostiense at 5:10 a.m. I could never recommend such an itinerary. Too bad you can't spend the night in Paestum. There is a hotel (I believe the Helios) right across the street from the gated perimeter of the Temples. <BR>

Kay

Sandy, you can hire a driver for about $35/hr. It is the best way to do it if it fits into your budget!

GAC

Sandi: One final thought: check with the local tourist board in Paestum whether the Temples will be illuminated at night during early March. It is quite possible that the illumination begins later in the season (electricity is quite expensive in Italy, and wasteful if there are not many tourists). If yes, consider staying the night across from the Temples at the Hotel Helios, returning to Rome early Sunday morning. Double check the illumination question with the hotel management. Based on current schedules, there is a local train leaving Paestum Sunday morning at 5:57 a.m., arriving Salerno at 6:34 a.m., connecting to an InterCity train at 6:53 a.m., arriving Rome Termini at 9:50 a.m. This seems much more reasonable than trying to rush back to Naples in the early evening.

Sandi

GAC: I want to thank you again for keeping up on this for me. Do you live in Italy? <BR><BR>I do realize that I am wanting too much out of this one day. To view the temples at Paestum illuminated is really not necessary for me. I just thought to have a picture of that would be nice. But spending the night was not something I wanted to do. <BR><BR>I might see about getting a driver or taxi to pick me up at Paestum and drive me to Pompeii, do you think this would be a worthwhile time saver? Steve James recommended this option for me on the other thread that I posted and it makes sense to me. I have lots of time to decide. <BR><BR>Thanks again!<BR><BR>Sandi

GAC

I appreciate your kind words. Actually, I live in L.A.!!!<BR><BR>Hiring a driver/taxi from Paestum to Pompei can be considered if the timetables simply don't work for you, or if you want to squeeze a little more into the day and not lose valuable time accommodating yourself to public transportation. Even so, you may save an hour at most, at considerably greater expense (I would estimate the cost to be at least $75 one way). Fortunately, there are trains from Paestum to Pompei every two hours during the afternoon/evening, taking merely 1 hour. A taxi will take just as much time.