I'm trying to work out an itinerary that will make everyone happy (disaster, I know!), to include Paris (my husband), then Provence (his friends), then Sorrento/Pompeii (me). (I'd be happy with Italy for three weeks, but everyone else is making a huge fuss about France.) I wondered if there's an alternate way to get from Nice to Naples, such as a boat. I'm not sure driving that far is reasonable. We have three weeks, and will be two adults and a 3 and 7 year old. Thanks!

tp

I doubt if there's a boat, but you could take the overnight train from Nice to Rome. Leave Nice at 20:35, and get to Rome at 6:57. Leave 7:16, arrive Naples 9:54, then take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento 10:09-11:17. (Or take a hydrofoil from Naples to Sorrento.)

Loren,<BR>Not to rain on your parade, but have you considered that one day you'll go back and that maybe for this trip, Sorrento and Pompeii are out? You mentioned friends re: Provence, but you're traveling with your immediate family? Does that mean you're visiting friends of your husband? I'm guessing Pompeii has been a life long dream if you're trying hard to fit it in. Trust me, once you go, you'll be back! Pompeii will be there with all of Italy and you can really sit back and enjoy it. What about dipping into Northern Italy, say the Cinque Terre? Not that it helps but I gotta say I've waited through 5 trips to see Mont. St. Michel, in some ways, (I said SOME!), the "Pompeii" of France in terms of crowds, etc. I've always wanted to see it and finally this summer I will.

Thanks for the help! After some discussion, we've happily agreed on just Italy this time, with our first leg in Sorrento. I'm trying to fly into Naples, then drive everywhere else. I'm looking for an agritourism (Farm stay) place in Umbria, and then Le March looks really ancient and off the tourist trail! Oh boy! I was in Mont St Michelle when I was six, and remember it well: it's so amazing, and be sure to break up the walk up the hill with a chocloate crepe! (I remember that and a snail on the wall. I was six, afterall!) Have a great time, and thanks!