8 days in southern Italy - best way to visit Pompeii and Naples
#1
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8 days in southern Italy - best way to visit Pompeii and Naples
Hello again,
Looking for help again... We fly into Bari from Palermo on 19th October and then have 8 days before we fly out of Naples, probably 6 of them with a car.
The first few days are clear - we'll head (via Alberrobello) to Lecce for two nights and then come back to Matera (again for two nights).
Then we plan to visit Paestum. Pompeii and Ercolano and end up in Naples for two nights before we fly out.
So, we take the advice from many that we should visit Pompeii early in the day and here's a possibility...
Friday we leave Matera and have time for a few hours in Paestum in the aftrenoon.
Saturday we spend in Pompeii
Sunday we 'do' Ercolano in the morning and head to Naples airport where we can drop the car and go into Naples to stay.
Monday in Naples - see the museum etc
Tuesday we fly out.
But I do have some questions about this?
Can we get into Ercolano on a Sunday?
Is the archeological museum open on a Monday?
But mostly... where should we stay for those two nights before Naples? I hear that Pompeii is not recommended (except in the very expensive hotels) but we'd like to be there when the gates open in the morning.
Help?
Looking for help again... We fly into Bari from Palermo on 19th October and then have 8 days before we fly out of Naples, probably 6 of them with a car.
The first few days are clear - we'll head (via Alberrobello) to Lecce for two nights and then come back to Matera (again for two nights).
Then we plan to visit Paestum. Pompeii and Ercolano and end up in Naples for two nights before we fly out.
So, we take the advice from many that we should visit Pompeii early in the day and here's a possibility...
Friday we leave Matera and have time for a few hours in Paestum in the aftrenoon.
Saturday we spend in Pompeii
Sunday we 'do' Ercolano in the morning and head to Naples airport where we can drop the car and go into Naples to stay.
Monday in Naples - see the museum etc
Tuesday we fly out.
But I do have some questions about this?
Can we get into Ercolano on a Sunday?
Is the archeological museum open on a Monday?
But mostly... where should we stay for those two nights before Naples? I hear that Pompeii is not recommended (except in the very expensive hotels) but we'd like to be there when the gates open in the morning.
Help?
#2
Why not stay in Herculaneum? We chanced upon this hotel a few years ago while driving around the area:
http://www.hotelpuntaquattroventi.it/en
It was a very good hotel, right on the sea and not that far from Pompeii, about a twenty minute drive.
http://www.hotelpuntaquattroventi.it/en
It was a very good hotel, right on the sea and not that far from Pompeii, about a twenty minute drive.
#4
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Just stay in Naples - if your plan is to see the NAM as well then it makes sense.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays so you're okay. Just bear in mind there is a touring exhibition (it's in Toronto, Canada right now) so a lot of the 'famous' artefacts are on this tour.
No need to stay in Ercolano or Pompeii - both very dreary towns with nothing to see except the archaeological sites.
Sorrento is closer to Pompeii but nothing to see there either.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays so you're okay. Just bear in mind there is a touring exhibition (it's in Toronto, Canada right now) so a lot of the 'famous' artefacts are on this tour.
No need to stay in Ercolano or Pompeii - both very dreary towns with nothing to see except the archaeological sites.
Sorrento is closer to Pompeii but nothing to see there either.
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"Friday we leave Matera and have time for a few hours in Paestum in the aftrenoon."
Do consider giving yourself 3 or 4 hours for Paestum -- maybe 2 hours for the site, an hour for its extraordinary (but small!) museum, time for a break to savor buffalo mozzarella....
"Sunday ... head to Naples airport where we can drop the car"
Can you not drop the car in Salerno or some other more convenient location that requires less backtracking?
"Monday in Naples - see the museum etc"
The archeological museum in Naples is a highlight. But Naples holds a TON of other worthy stuff, so I urge you to think through your priorities in advance!
Good luck!
Do consider giving yourself 3 or 4 hours for Paestum -- maybe 2 hours for the site, an hour for its extraordinary (but small!) museum, time for a break to savor buffalo mozzarella....
"Sunday ... head to Naples airport where we can drop the car"
Can you not drop the car in Salerno or some other more convenient location that requires less backtracking?
"Monday in Naples - see the museum etc"
The archeological museum in Naples is a highlight. But Naples holds a TON of other worthy stuff, so I urge you to think through your priorities in advance!
Good luck!
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Hmmm back to this topic again... I've had time to rethink the plan with your kind help...
So It seems better to have one night in Paestum after Matera so we can have a good amount of time there and then head straight up to Naples airport and drop the car. (I haven't been able to find a car hire that will let us leave it anywhere else at this stage but I'll keep looking)
Then we'll stay three nights in Naples without a car (whew) and go to Pompeii and Hercolaneum by train from there. It feels more comfortable. That recommended hotel in Hercolaneum was very beautiful but a little out of our budget I'm afraid. Seems easier to just stay in Naples.
I have been looking at what to do in Naples and it does look wonderful - I guess we HAVE to go to Pompeii - feels like we could fill our days in Naples quite happily.
So It seems better to have one night in Paestum after Matera so we can have a good amount of time there and then head straight up to Naples airport and drop the car. (I haven't been able to find a car hire that will let us leave it anywhere else at this stage but I'll keep looking)
Then we'll stay three nights in Naples without a car (whew) and go to Pompeii and Hercolaneum by train from there. It feels more comfortable. That recommended hotel in Hercolaneum was very beautiful but a little out of our budget I'm afraid. Seems easier to just stay in Naples.
I have been looking at what to do in Naples and it does look wonderful - I guess we HAVE to go to Pompeii - feels like we could fill our days in Naples quite happily.
#7
Naples airport is small but easy to get to and a logical place to dump the car, the rest of Naples is a bit of a miss-match so I can understand the selection.
Pompeii; have a look at Herculaneum and take account of the weather, if hot, it is very hot and you want to take water and a hat.
About 10 years ago I used to do work with a company in Naples (out in the boondocks) and we had to be taken to the factory in an armoured car with tooled up people riding shot gun, I think it has got a lot better now and certainly the old centre is no worse than say Bucuresti, while the sights themselves are a great compensation and well worth the time. If not going to Capri, I would recommend a short boat trip, just to see the Volcano from the sea and I'd take along Pliny the younger's commentary on the disaster (Pliny the elder was in it!)
I had a quick G and here is a fun version http://www.macroevolution.net/death-of-pliny.html
Pompeii; have a look at Herculaneum and take account of the weather, if hot, it is very hot and you want to take water and a hat.
About 10 years ago I used to do work with a company in Naples (out in the boondocks) and we had to be taken to the factory in an armoured car with tooled up people riding shot gun, I think it has got a lot better now and certainly the old centre is no worse than say Bucuresti, while the sights themselves are a great compensation and well worth the time. If not going to Capri, I would recommend a short boat trip, just to see the Volcano from the sea and I'd take along Pliny the younger's commentary on the disaster (Pliny the elder was in it!)
I had a quick G and here is a fun version http://www.macroevolution.net/death-of-pliny.html
#8
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Your plan sounds good. Dropping off the car at Naples airport is the best spot -- doing it in Salerno is needlessly complicated. It is a flat taxi rate of something like 35 euros to go from the airport to anywhere inside Naples, and it is simpler than taking the bus and then a taxi to your hotel from there.
You don't "have" to go to Pompeii. Do what you feel like. Pompeii is an enormous site, and if you aren't up for the rigors, or are having fun in Napoli, or feel like a boat ride skip going to Pompeii. It sounds like it will be at the end of the trip so by that time you should have a pretty good sense of what you've been enjoying and what you'd prefer to be doing. In October, I wouldn't be too concerned about getting to Pompei early in the morning so long as you are aware it is a big site (and check the closing hours for your time frame).
I feel much more comfortable walking around the center of Naples day and night than I do any American or UK city you can name. Organized crime in Campania is organized for a reason, its base of operations is outside the Naples center, and tourists are not the target anyway.
In addition to the wonderful sights of Paestum, there is wonderful food. I like pizza in this area better than the pizza of Naples (personal quirk perhaps), but there other treats as well. In October, they especially have nice artichokes in Paestum if you like artichokes (although Italians do not drag the leaves through their teeth!).
Have a great time in Naples. The coffee is fantastic, the food is fantastic, the art sights are amazing (if you like painting, the Capodimonte museum is extraordinary)
You don't "have" to go to Pompeii. Do what you feel like. Pompeii is an enormous site, and if you aren't up for the rigors, or are having fun in Napoli, or feel like a boat ride skip going to Pompeii. It sounds like it will be at the end of the trip so by that time you should have a pretty good sense of what you've been enjoying and what you'd prefer to be doing. In October, I wouldn't be too concerned about getting to Pompei early in the morning so long as you are aware it is a big site (and check the closing hours for your time frame).
I feel much more comfortable walking around the center of Naples day and night than I do any American or UK city you can name. Organized crime in Campania is organized for a reason, its base of operations is outside the Naples center, and tourists are not the target anyway.
In addition to the wonderful sights of Paestum, there is wonderful food. I like pizza in this area better than the pizza of Naples (personal quirk perhaps), but there other treats as well. In October, they especially have nice artichokes in Paestum if you like artichokes (although Italians do not drag the leaves through their teeth!).
Have a great time in Naples. The coffee is fantastic, the food is fantastic, the art sights are amazing (if you like painting, the Capodimonte museum is extraordinary)
#9
I have enjoyed Naples on two different trips and loved it both times. There's a lot to see in Naples and there is no reason to go to Pompei unless you want to. At the end of your trip it may be nice to just relax, walk around and see the sites in Naples of which there are plenty to fill 3 days.
I'm surprsied you are having trouble finding an auto rental that won't let you leave the car elsewhere. Where are you picking the car up? I missed that. You've checked AutoEurope? On our trip this spring to Southern Italy & Sicily we picked the car up at the train station in Naples and were supposed to drop it there, but decided mid trip to drive on to Rome instead. I called and made the switch to drop the car back to the airport in Rome with no problem and no charge. IN any case, on another trip we did pick up and leave the car at the Naples airport and it was easy.
I'm surprsied you are having trouble finding an auto rental that won't let you leave the car elsewhere. Where are you picking the car up? I missed that. You've checked AutoEurope? On our trip this spring to Southern Italy & Sicily we picked the car up at the train station in Naples and were supposed to drop it there, but decided mid trip to drive on to Rome instead. I called and made the switch to drop the car back to the airport in Rome with no problem and no charge. IN any case, on another trip we did pick up and leave the car at the Naples airport and it was easy.
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Naples airport is small and easy and a good spot for returning the car.
I have taken 5 trips to the area (based on the AC) and have yet to visit Pompeii. So obviously, it is not a "must" for me! I have visited Herculaneum, which is a lovely compact site. I like bilbo's suggestion of a boat trip, which I would (and have) choose over going to Pompeii, especially if you are also seeing Herculaneum.
I have taken 5 trips to the area (based on the AC) and have yet to visit Pompeii. So obviously, it is not a "must" for me! I have visited Herculaneum, which is a lovely compact site. I like bilbo's suggestion of a boat trip, which I would (and have) choose over going to Pompeii, especially if you are also seeing Herculaneum.
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"So It seems better to have one night in Paestum"
Or perhaps Salerno, which has a spectacular lungomare, intriguing medieval quarter, magnificent cathedral, and lies along the train line between Paestum and Naples.
"I guess we HAVE to go to Pompeii"
IMO, only YOU can decide what makes sense for your travels.
"feels like we could fill our days in Naples quite happily"
Yes, there is a GREAT deal to see there!
Or perhaps Salerno, which has a spectacular lungomare, intriguing medieval quarter, magnificent cathedral, and lies along the train line between Paestum and Naples.
"I guess we HAVE to go to Pompeii"
IMO, only YOU can decide what makes sense for your travels.
"feels like we could fill our days in Naples quite happily"
Yes, there is a GREAT deal to see there!
#12
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I wouldn't trade a night in Paestum for a night in Salerno, especially if you have a car. It is a hassle to park in the historic center of Salerno, and if you stay at one of the hotels at the periphery, you won't be able to walk to the sights of Salerno. But moreover, if you are driving from Materia to Paestum, you will -- as you say -- have a few hours for Paestum, but not more than that, and Paestum has enough attractions of its own to fill up more than a few hours, and by the time you get to Salerno, you'll be scrambing to see anything before it all closes. In addition, by staying in semi-rural Paestum, you will get a chance to experience the atmosphere of Paestum and its good food.
Like a lot of the not-picture-postcard cities of Italy, Salerno is bypassed by tourists for all the wrong reasons, so there is lots of enthusiasm for the city by people who do take the time to go and discoever its positives. I share that enthusiasm (and would sooner revisit Salerno than the Amalfi coast) but in this case I think your overnight in Paestum has the potential to be one of the highlights of your multiple experience of ancient Italy, relaxing and fascinating, whereas if you rush it and try to squeeze in Salerno too, it might more pressured sightseeing and less fun.
There is GREAT deal to see everywhere in Italy, but the less you let yourself be pressured into "not missing" everybody's spectacular WOW within reach (and Salerno's lungomare is pretty far down my list, much as I appreciate the town) the more you are likely to enjoy every day of your 10 days in Italy.
Like a lot of the not-picture-postcard cities of Italy, Salerno is bypassed by tourists for all the wrong reasons, so there is lots of enthusiasm for the city by people who do take the time to go and discoever its positives. I share that enthusiasm (and would sooner revisit Salerno than the Amalfi coast) but in this case I think your overnight in Paestum has the potential to be one of the highlights of your multiple experience of ancient Italy, relaxing and fascinating, whereas if you rush it and try to squeeze in Salerno too, it might more pressured sightseeing and less fun.
There is GREAT deal to see everywhere in Italy, but the less you let yourself be pressured into "not missing" everybody's spectacular WOW within reach (and Salerno's lungomare is pretty far down my list, much as I appreciate the town) the more you are likely to enjoy every day of your 10 days in Italy.
#13
We visited Paestum by train from elsewhere along the Cilento coast. We enjoyed our time there and could easily see staying overnight in or near Paestum. Dont miss the delicious buffalo mozzarella in the region.
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Great comments everyone! just to explain about the car hire - I didn't actually work out how to use the autoeurope website properly until yesterday and of course I can leave the car in places other than Naples but it is still possible that this is the best place to do it. It's either leave it at Naples airport or in Salerno and get the train. The issue is having to be in Naples relatively early (about 9.30am) or pay for another day and we do like the leisurely breakfasts. Salerno being closer to Paestum helps with that. Still it's no biggy.
"There is GREAT deal to see everywhere in Italy, but the less you let yourself be pressured into "not missing" everybody's spectacular WOW within reach" I love this sentiment and am starting to realise that relaxing in lovely places is just as important as seeing fabulous sites.
It's strange, my main focus for coming to this part of Italy was originally Pompeii and now it seems much less important. That said we probably will go there but if it doesn't happen that's ok too.
Thanks for everyone's support and ideas.
"There is GREAT deal to see everywhere in Italy, but the less you let yourself be pressured into "not missing" everybody's spectacular WOW within reach" I love this sentiment and am starting to realise that relaxing in lovely places is just as important as seeing fabulous sites.
It's strange, my main focus for coming to this part of Italy was originally Pompeii and now it seems much less important. That said we probably will go there but if it doesn't happen that's ok too.
Thanks for everyone's support and ideas.