capri or pompeii
 

We only have one day in Naples as cruise stop and can't decide on whether to do Pompeii or Capri. Which ever one we do, we would like to do on our own versus the cruise ship tour. It sounds like this is possible. We are going in June so it will definitely be busy from what I have heard. Any comments would be of great help.

Either one is emminently do-able during a day trip from Naples. So it depends on what your interests are. History and ruins? Pompeii. People watching with beautiful scenery? Capri. If you do Pompeii, you will still have a few hours left to spend in Naples--a great choice IMHO. Please feel free to e-mail me with specific questions.

Capri was beautiful, but I really enjoyed Herculaneum and Pompeii more. You could probably do both sites. Marilyn

Hi: Both are great. I think that you should see both if possible.

Hi! We drove from Norway to Italy last summer, and too a daytrip from Rome to Naples. On just one day, we visited the vulcano of Vesuvio and Pompeii. That was not a problem at all conseidering the time. I think you should go for both. It's certainly worth it. Have a nice trip.

We went to Pompei in late June last year. There were people, but it was not crowded. Try to go early in the day if possible, not just because of tour groups, but because of heat. Also, try to get together a group of at least six. You need to pay for a guide. It seems that in most places in Italy, the dollar goes a long way. But, the guides raise their prices if they think you will pay. It was about 140,000 lire for 6 of us for a two hour tour.

If your cruise is also taking you to Ephesus, go to Capri. Capri is very charming. Just depends what you are really interested in.

Having done all of the sites mentioned above, I would suggest Pompeii. There is no other place like it in the world with the exception of Herculinium(which is difficult to find). Capri is similar to most rich and famous resorts and could definately cost more money if you like to shop. The Blue Grotto is one of those things you want to do because you are there but wonder why you did it afterwards. The same can't be siad of Pompeii.

It all comes down to whether you want to experience dead or alive. Pompeii is a ruin. Visit there for a good historical perspective on Italy in 79AD. Capri is alive and kicking. Visit here if you like to shop, to eat, see quaint and beautiful. From a crowd standpoint, both places are packed during daylight hours.

We just returned from a cruise which stopped in Naples. Pompeii is amazing. We were thinking about getting there on our own by train, but decided to go with the ship's tour and were very glad we did even though it had seemed rather expensive. Even at 9:30 in the morning there was a huge crowd of people waiting to buy tickets at Pompeii. Since we were with a tour we just walked right on in. We had a terrific guide who took us through the maze of streets to the best places, without us having to find them on our own. By early afternoon we were back to the ship for lunch with enough time to go back into central Naples and wander around the streets and do a little shopping.(Watch out for motorbikes- red lights mean nothing!) Have a great time!