I only have one day to start from Naples and explore the Amalfi Coast area. Is the drive truly spectacular, or is it best to stop in towns such as Positano or Sorrento and spend my time there? Can I do that an Pompei also?

Last Q - absolutley no

concentrate on one or the other

Yes, the drive is spectacular but a little less so at the height of the tourist season when the road is clogged with buses, cars and motorini.

If you're driving, you can explore towns off the main road, such as Montepertuso, Ravello, etc. But I don't recommend trying to "explore the Amalfi Coast" (whatever that entails for you) and visit Pompeii on the same day.

The best/easiest way to visit Pompeii from Naples is to take the Circumvesuviana train (30 minutes one way) from the main train station.

Yes, you can do:

- From Napoli, drive along the coast to a little village named Meta. From there, across the hills to San Pietro.

- Now, you will drive on one of the world's most spectacular coastal highways.

- If you want, spend half an hour for a stroll through Positano.

- Continue eastwards. You may visit the Grotta di Smeraldo.

- In any case, spend another thirty minutes in Amalfi. The cathedral is spectacular, and it is a cozy town.

- Just east of Amalfi, take the small road SS 373/SP1 northwards. This road will bring you to Pompei where you will arrive in the early afternoon.

- This leaves three or four hours to visit Pompeii.

This tour is doable (at least off peak season) and not exhausting. Just limit your time in the coastal towns.

Hi T,

I would not suggest the AC and Pompei on the same day.

If you are going at the height of the season, a car will be less than useless, as the AC road gets clogged by tour buses.

I suggest tajubg the train from Naples to Salerno, the ferry to Amalfi and the SITA bus to Meta.

From Meta, take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi, if there is still time, and on to Naples.

You could also start with the train to Pompei Scavi and go on to Sorrento, take the bus to Amalfi and the ferry to Salerno.

Enjoy your visit.

Or train to Sorrento from Naples and then take the very frequent SITA public buses along the sinuous cliff-hugging road, stop at Amalfi as nice as any of the towns and continue onto Salerno where you can take a train directly to Pompeii' Treinitalia station, in the modern town of Naples and about a mile or so from the Ruins. The CircumVesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples stops at the Pompeii Scavi station smack at the entrance to the ruins.