I am planning my 2nd trip to Italy Oct 6th timeframe. Thinking of flying into Naples to go directly to Positano to stay 3 nights and visit Ravello, Vesuvius, Sorrento, Pompeii (maybe) Path of the Gods hike. Then to Capri for 1 or 2 nights then to Rome for 4 nights and fly out of Rome.

Any help you can provide is appreciated. We plan to drive again this trip (drove from Rome to Tuscany to CT last year so no problem driving).

Thanks in advance.

Hi S,

Do you have a specific question?

I'm with ira. You said "Help ASAP", but it sounds like you have the basics very well figured -- and they sound great. What exactly are you looking for specific help with? But please don't say "hotels" unless you give us an idea of what you're looking for and the budget involved.

Thank you for the replys and sorry for not being specific. One question - does it make more sense to fly into Naples and out of Rome or Rome RT? Does this itinerary look doable and should I include anything else?

Also, I keep reading mixed views on Positano vs Sorrento as a base - also read that Ravello is a great place to stay... this is where I need the most help - we are not opposed to hiking, driving, etc.

If your itinerary is what you say, I'd do just as you posted; into Naples and out of Rome. There is no reason to backtrack unless the fares are extremely advantageous to do a RT to Rome.
All those towns make a nice base, but we like to be ON the AMalfi Coast. We always stay in Praiano, but Positano, Ravello, etc., are very nice.
Just remember you need to get back to Sorrento to catch the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi to see Pompeii.
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"Just remember you need to get back to Sorrento to catch the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi to see Pompeii."

Not if they're driving which sph said they are doing.

Finally booked airfare - using ff miles - into Naples out of Rome - we have 8 nights - arrive at 4:45 p.m. to Naples - how far of a drive is it to Positano - is Positano on the coast? Final question - I have to take out one night - Capri probably unless someone tells me Positano is better so we will stay 3 nights in Positano and 1 in Capri.

thanks

Thanks

If you were staying in Sorrento, I'd say you could do all you wanted to do easily, but in Positano-in the high season timeframe, you're going to have a lot of traffic on the twisty, very narrow roads-it may necessitate you having to wait for 5-10 minutes or more, because of traffic. If I were you, I'd do a little less: Ravello, easy from Positano, then I'd make it easy on myself by taking the day ferry (beautiful scenery) from Positano to Sorrento. I'd skip Vesuvius/Pompeii, (unless you want to take a day from Capri to do one of the two). You don't want to be stuck in traffic and driving those twisty roads for your 3 days-taking the day ferry from Positano is a more relaxing alternative. The drive time from Naples to Positano is about an hour, without traffic.

Have you stayed in Rome before? I have posted a trip report with pictures and links on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm . Maybe you can find some useful information there Have a great trip to Italy.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

All of this information is really helpful - thank you everyone - I can't wait to go!

Two more questions please.....we arrive in Naples at 4:45 p.m. on the 7th - thinking of staying 3, 4 or 5 nights in positano or 3 nights there and 1 or 2 in Capri and then 4 or 5 nights in Rome - we leave Rome early a.m. on the 16th. I am trying to decide where to spend our time and since it is limited need some help.

So, should we go to Capri or just stay in Positano and secondly should we stay 4 or 5 nights in rome - we leave early on the 16th so will have 3.5 days once we arrive on the 12th if we stay 5 nights on AC - better to spend more time on AC or in Rome?

Thanks and sorry if it is confusing.

It's not confusing sph - My inclination would be to spend one night, at least, on Capri, simply because the island is very different at night (after the last ferry leaves). Also, I wouldn't characterize Oct. 6 as the high season on the AC - there will be some crowds, but nothing like July through mid-September. Finally, I'd make sure you do save 3.5 days for Rome. Obviously you could spend more time in each place, but you've got a nice itinerary now.

Also, I'd stay in Positano (or Praiano) as a base (not Sorrento) for the AC. And instead of driving yourself to Pompeii, we hired a driver for all ground transportation to avoid having to have a car - of course the ferry from Positano to Capri and from Capri to Naples.

Have fun!

KC