We are travelling (in March, first time in Italy, speak no Italian)from Rome to Pompei and then the Amalfi coast, allowing 2 days and 2 nights before we head up to Tuscany. Is this enough time? We were going to rent a car in Rome before we leave the city to drive to Pompei and on. Will it be difficult to navigate out of Rome (I assume the car rental (Hertz) is in downtown Rome)? Would it be better to take a train to Pompei and then rent a car there before driving to Sorrento, if possible?

Hello RDixon! I am a little confused - are you saying that you will be arriving in Rome and immediately leaving for Pompeii by car - how long will you be in pompeii before going to amalfi? and then how long will you stay in amalfi once you arrive - 2 days in amafli or 2 days in total for all of that? I can't imagine that you meant 2 days total from rome to pompeii to amalfi - that is simply not doable...or certainly not doable in any enjoyable way. can you expand specifics a little - let us know total time, where you intend to stay and for how long etc.

Sorry, I will expand. We arrive in Rome on March 18, plan to stay 3 nights or 2 full days. Then intend to go to Pompei, on the 21st, spending 4 to 5 hours there. From there on the same day, drive to Positano or Amalfi (don't have a place yet, happy for recommendations)and stay for 2 nights (really only one full day on Amalfi coast). On the 23rd, we will drive up into Tuscany. Does that help?

On that one full day, you can get taste of the Amalfi Coast by driving along the coast and perhaps spending some time in Sorrento and one or two other towns.
It's doable. But, it'll be only a taste of this beautiful area.

The only thing I would be concerned about is that in March with that trip it's likely you would be doing the amalfi drive and trying to find your hotel in the dark. I am a big proponent of driving in Europe becasue of the freedom it gives you - but after dark that's kind of a challenging drive to those not used to that style of driving.

Also, I'm not sure that March is the best time of year to visit Amalfi - this is primarily a beach resort area and it will be awfully cold for beach or boating.

Perhaps you might consider doing Pompei as a day trip fom Rome - and saving Amalfi for another trip in the late spring or summer.

As for car rental, Hertz has several offices in Rome. You need to determine which office your reservation is for - presumably the one nearest your hotel. To navigate out of Rome to the highway you need a really good street map and a little patience. I would suggest you use mappy or one of the equivalents to get a detailed map/exact route - since unlike tourist office walking maps they take into account one-way streets - of which there are lots in Rome.

Hi RD,

I suggest that you save Pompeii and the AC for another trip and the time to either Rome or your drive through Tuscany.

You will not really see the AC and you are not giving Rome the time it deserves.

Thanks for the follow up RD - I have to agree with the majority of posters here, that is quite a lot of ground to cover in such a short amount of time. Given the time of year I am not positive that amalfi may be worth your time - not that the off-season isn't spectacular - but for a first time visitor I am not sure you will find the full experience you are looking for - might want to save it for a summer or september trip.
The travel times - depending on traffic and whether or not you become lost - make this itinerary hectic or possible. Naples is roughly 2 1/2 hours from Rome and Positano is about 1 1/2 from Naples until you begin to descend to the town itself at which point your pace will slow considerably. It will be dark by the time you arrive however and the trip down to poitano is a difficult road to navigate in the dark for a first timer unless of course you are a confident driver. I am not trying to discourage you - but trying to put things into some sort of perspective.
You will need to leave Rome fairly early to give Pompeii the time not only that it deserves but that it requires - my first time there was devastating...I was overwhelmed by all the things I wanted to see and distracted by the fact that we had to leave by 3pm in order to make it out to positano in time to meet friends for dinner - I ended up with a frustrating experience - and had to go back twice just to get my fill of the place. Basically, Pompeii is not a museum as you may be used to hear - you cannot wander from place to place reading very informative signs that depict what everything is and its significance - you really need to either join a tour or direct yourself with a detailed book.
if you are dead set on Positano I would say limit or erase your time in Tuscany - the effort and the time of year does not make it worth such a short visit. Tuscany - again, while beautiful at any time of year - can be bitterly cold in March - we have visited several times in April and have layered ourselves with sweaters to the point of barely being able to walk! I am not trying to tell you what you should and should not do - but I think it might be very wise to cut something out. Due to weather considerations I would say stay south of Rome, rent a place in ravello for a few days and take in the town life, stay at an inland hotel with lovely spa services in amalfi and enjoy the spring breezes!

sorry! I just realized that I have come across at contradicting myself - I began by saying amalfi was not worth it and ended up telling you to set up hosue there! what I really mean to say is that all of your destinations are great depending on what you want - but there are simply too many of them. With the exception of Tuscany which I would cut out until better weather I think you will not go wrong so long as you extend your time somewhere.

Thanks for all the advice. As to staying in the southern part-we are not able as we are committed to returning from Venice on April 1. As well, as this is my first time to Italy and don't know when or if I'll be back, I want to see as much as I can, of course while trying to keep it not hectic. We can bundle up for the cool weather. We are just beginning to plan.This is what I thought- after Amalfi then Florence and other small towns in Tuscany for 4 to 5 days, then cinque terre for 1 day then onto Venice for March 30 and 31. Do you think this too much? Should we cut out Amalfi or Cinque Terre? Appreciate the help.

Hi RD,

Italy will still be there when you go back. and you will go back.

You have a nice Rome, Tuscany, Venice trip. I suggest that you focus on it.

if you don't mind the cool weather - and why should you, I don't! - then I would agree with ira - cut out the south and stick to rome, tuscany and venice. I really have to say RD, now that I hear the follow up to amalfi, the whirlwind tour of tuscany and a bit of cinque terre - this is not going to be any fun for you. Yes, it is Italy, yes these places are lovely - but highways are highways with rest-stops, factories, and ugly scenery whether its I-95, the M4 or the autostrada - not everything is charming by any stretch, and it sounds as if this will be the majority of your spent time. you will go back, you truly will. I did a whirlwind tour of turkey when I was 21 because I wanted to see absolutely every bit of it while I had the chance on break from Uni. - you know what I remember? I remember the roadways, getting stuck outside of Bodrum in a ditch, a handful of greek ruins I remember nothing about because I never had enough time to learn anything about them, and the public bathrooms in ephesus. I thought I would never return because money and scheduling would keep me away - despite both, I have returned three times since then - you will do the same.

Thanks for all of the advice. You have convinced me to cut out Pompei and the Amalfi coast and promise myself to do a southern Italy trip another time.

you are more than welcome - phew - thought we had scared you off with all the negativity! I apologize for seeming to be such a naysayer - I just have done that sort of thing too many times and regretted it. have a wonderful, wonderful time!

Good Show, RD.