Brescia - Rome - Positano Planning Help!
 

Hi everyone,

I am planning my first trip outside of the US. I am a 28 year old female traveling to Italy in August alone...which is a little scary! That being said, this is my dream trip and I am looking forward to having the freedom to do whatever *I* want to do!

I have read so much but am looking for a little help on planning the logistics and finding out if my tentative plans are actually feasible. I have a flight but no hotels, which is the next project (hoping I can get them because I know this is late!)

My current, constantly fluid plans:

Fly into Venice in the morning, possibly take the afternoon to get the express tour of Venice - I will be met by relatives that live in Nave/Brescia.

Spend 3 more days in the Brescia/Lake Garda area where I will be staying with family who will be showing me around. I can't wait to see where my family comes from!

Take a train to Sorrento (hopefully see a little bit of Sorrento), then a hydrofoil to Positano (this is a major priority for me).

Stay in Positano for about 3 days, then travel by bus to Naples (hopefully see a tiny slice of Naples), and get a train to Rome.

Spend 5 days in Rome, then fly home.

I also want to see Pompeii - could I do this "on the way" on a traveling day or does it need to be a separate trip? I love history so I am excited about this.

Is this all feasible, any suggestions on hotels, etc? Is there anything huge I am missing???

ANY suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

I've not been to Pompeii (it's on my bucket list) but I would think it could be done from Naples, if you would spend a bit of time there (maybe an overnight so you don't have luggage to worry about?).

Other than that, I like your plan. I'm sure you will be fine as a solo traveller. I've done solo many times, although not in Europe. I've done solo to Australia, S E Asia, and all over the USA. My hubby is pretty much always with me when I'm in Europe.

Thank you!

I will look into maybe a night closer to Pompeii--was trying to cut down on the moving around. I am definitely the kind of person that likes to see everything at the place I am at, so I want to make sure that I don't short myself--but Pompeii looks too amazing to miss!

I think the thing I am most nervous about is navigating around by myself...I don't have the best history when it comes to directions. I am hoping that thorough planning will allow me to avoid any issues!

Actually I have another question--when taking trains, is it possible to get off at a stop, spend some time in a town or village, and catch the next train or is this not possible?

Not sure how the trains work.

Thanks!

Hi

From Positano you can take a bus to Sorrento. Then a train to Pompeii. You can then take a train to Naples. Makes for a long day but doable. Re hotels - what is your budget (in euro). There are many choices depending on your budget. In Positano if you have cash to thrash try the Le Sirenuse Hotel. Otherwise a budget choice is Hostel la Brikette - http://hostel-positano.com. Quite adequate with awesome views!

Thanks for the input! I totally don't mind a long day here and there if its worth it--just wasn't sure if it was possible! It seems like if it would reduce the hassle once I'm in Positano, it may be better then?

I should have mentioned budget! I am probably looking for something in between those two--middle of the road. Nice and clean with nice views would be my hope, but not quite hostel.

Thanks!

There is no train to Sorrento from Venice. You'd have to take the overnight train from Venice to Naples, or better yet, see if one of the discount airlines fly that route. Believe me, there's nothing that glamorous or fun about the overnight trains.

I am pretty sure that there is boat service from Naples to Positano. If not, you would need to take the local CIRCUMVENSIA train to Sorrento, then go down to the port to take the hydrofoil to Positano ( takes about 40 minutes).

From Positano, I highly recommend a boat back to Sorrento or Naples, rather than the horrible SITA buses. It's much more scenic and comfortable. Boats leave from the town dock.

For Pompeii: The local Circumvensia train in Sorrento will take you right to the front gates. OR, if you are in Naples, a more expensive option is taking a cab there and having them wait, but that runs about 50E/hour.

From Naples, you can take the fast train back to Rome. It's a bit more money than regular service, but gets you into Rome in 90 minutes.

For Positano accommodations, what is your budget? I am going back for yet another trip there in a few weeks, and know it pretty well.

>>>Fly into Venice in the morning<<<

Do you have your flights booked? There are few flights from the US that don't require a change in Europe. When you have to change, you usually don't arrive until around noon.

Brescia to Positano is a very long day. You might try looking at some budget flights. Otherwise you would take a train to Milan and then a train to Naples. From Naples, you would switch to the local train to Sorrento (about 75 minutes) and then the bus to Positano (about 1 hour).

>>>Actually I have another question--when taking trains, is it possible to get off at a stop, spend some time in a town or village, and catch the next train or is this not possible?<<<

That is only possible if you take the very slow regional trains (no amenities on these trains). The fast trains do not stop at small towns. All the faster trains (AV,IC) are sold train specific, seat specific (mandatory) so your ticket is only good for that particular train/seat/departure time. Regional train tickets have a 6 hour window once you board (these tickets have to be validated trackside before boarding). It would be possible to take these, but would take 3-4 times longer since they stop so much. A regional ticket bought online has a shorter time window (not advised).

>>>I am pretty sure that there is boat service from Naples to Positano. If not, you would need to take the local CIRCUMVENSIA train to Sorrento, then go down to the port to take the hydrofoil to Positano ( takes about 40 minutes).<<<

Yes, but might not be practical. You will have spent hours on a train by this point. You would have to get transport from the Naples train station to the port and ferries don't run as often as the trains/buses so you might have to hang around waiting. Ferries don't run late and also don't put into Positano if the sea is rough. In August, they might be full.

Phew. Ok, sorry for the delay I have a had a hard time getting on....however...

kybourbon - I do have my flights booked - I fly directly from the US into Venice in the morning (I think I land at 9 ish.) Thanks! Also thank you for the info on the trains - that will definitely come in handy!

Several of you also mentioned the length and complication of the train journey from Brescia to Positano - I took your advice and found an inexpensive (60 Euro) flight from Verona to Naples. I also booked a car and driver to take me to Positano.

I know this is extra $$, but I feel it is extremely important to make good use of my time and it seems like this money will be worth it, I hope! This way I don't have to worry so much about connections, etc. I also have hotels in Positano (Palazzo Talamo) and Rome (Hotel Navona). I am really hoping these will be ok budget hotels.

I do still have some questions! (If these would be better posted elsewhere, let me know!)

1. I would still like to do Pompeii on my travel day from Positano to Rome - the more I look, it seems like it may be better to take a ferry to Salerno (instead of Sorrento) and then the train to Pompeii - I have read that it will be a ten minute walk to a side entrance (I don't mind the walk). This will allow me to see both Pompeii and maybe a little bit of Salerno. From Pompeii I would take the train to Naples and then to Rome?
Is this doable? Or would Sorrento be much better?

2. In Positano, I have already booked a day to Capri, and I would love to walk the path of the Gods. The other two days I am there, I would LOVE to just spend sightseeing and on the beach! I see that you have to rent a chair and umbrella at the main beach, as well as the smaller ones. Can you reserve these ahead of time? What do people recommend? I did see how the main beach gets sooo crowded in August - would I be better off heading to Fornillo, or I read somewhere else maybe Arienzo? I don't know how quickly these places fill up or if you can reserve a spot.

3. I am planning on buying a suitcase in Italy (Positano or Rome) will it be easy to find one? SHould this be an issue?

Thank you all so much!!!!

>>>it seems like it may be better to take a ferry to Salerno (instead of Sorrento) and then the train to Pompeii - I have read that it will be a ten minute walk to a side entrance (I don't mind the walk). <<<

No. It's more than a ten minute walk and that entrance does not have luggage storage. Pompei has several train stations. Some are served by Trenitalia and the other served by the private line Circumvesuviana. The Circumvesuviana line runs between Sorrento and Naples with a station stop called Pompeii Scavi which is across from the main entrance to the ruins that has luggage storage. The train from Salerno would be on Trenitalia and that station is a trek (at least a mile) from the small entrance to Pompeii which does not have much service or any luggage storage. There is also a big gap in the mornings of service between Salerno/Pompei. You would need to check if you can make it in time by ferry to get a train or if you will have to hang out in Salerno several hours. If you go the Salerno/Pompei route, spring for a taxi to the main entrance so you can store your luggage. Leaving Pompeii, continue on to Naples on the Circumvesuviana from the Pompeii Scavi station.

I would take a Sita bus from Positano to Sorrento, Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi. I don't see the point of going to Salerno at all. I would think it would take more time also since you are going in the opposite direction and the ferry will have to make a stop in Amalfi. You also arrive at the port in Salerno and have to get to the train station.

It will be easier/cheaper to find luggage in Sorrento or Rome. Things are more expensive in Positano.

Re: the beaches in Positano, the only one I know of that you can reserve ahead is Laurito Beach. If you get to the beach early enough in the day, you should have no problem getting a lettino. The Walk of the Gods would be brutal in the heat of August - I would concentrate on enjoying Positano and the beaches.

Ok, I understand now what you mean about Salerno. I will definitely be skipping that then and going through Sorrento. Thanks!

And ekc, thanks for the beach info. Would you just recommend the main beach then?

And, I will probably be playing the path of the gods by ear, based on how tired I am and the weather. I love hiking and being active, I have to get some kind of exercise in! I teach pe, run (3 half marathons with a full as a goal) and play fastpitch softball (catching yesterday in 97 degrees) so I really think I will be ok with the heat.

You really can't go wrong with any beach you choose, although I think Fornillo beach will get shade earlier than the south end of Spiaggia Grande.

Depending on where you are staying in Positano you will be getting lots of exercise walking up and down all of the stairs! Don't underestimate that workout! :-)

You might also look into a daytrip (via ferry) to visit Amalfi and Ravello and you can also fit in the Valley of the Mills hike in Amalfi (which is I think partially shaded).

What happened to your visit to Naples? There is a great hop on /off bus tour that will give you the flavor and a look around, and maybe you would visit the Herculaneum (sp?). Also recommend the underground Naples tour...