Help-South from Rome-Tour Group or Not?
 

Will be in Rome the end of January and want <BR>to head south. Would love to see Sorrento, <BR>Capri, Almafi Dr., etc. Whats the best way? <BR>Not interested in the wood factory some of <BR>the tours stop at. Want more time to be on <BR>our own and explore. Whats the best for a day trip? Any day tours which do the drive? <BR>Are we better off on our own? Any guidance greatly appreciated. Grazie!

While there are several full-day tours by bus from Rome to the Naples area (taking in Pompei and other sites), these tend to be very superficial. If I were you, and had a couple of free days, I'd go there on my own by fast train: a mere 90 minutes to Naples! (There are also slower direct buses to Sorrento from Rome). This is particularly true if you want to visit Pompei, where you will need a minimum of 4 hours (not allowed on a tour from Rome). Capri might be cold and somewhat disappointing in January (much is closed), but a drive along the Amalfi coast from Sorrento or from Salerno (by frequent and inexpensive SITA bus) would be worthwhile. (If you wanted to get to the Amalfi Coast directly from Rome, you would get off the train at Salerno, not Naples). You could stop in Positano, Amalfi and other towns along the coast. Time permitting, you could also take the local bus up the hill from Amalfi to Ravello, to visit its ravishingly beautiful villas: Rufolo and Cimbrone. In Naples proper, you should visit the National Archeological Museum and possible also the Capodimonte Art Gallery. Also consider the wonderful Bourbon Royal Palace and Park at Caserta, near Naples. There are an enormity of things to see in this part of Italy.

Thanks GAC - If I take a bus trip along <BR>the coast where does it go? Is it <BR>a point to point bus or a special <BR>sightseeing tour bus? Am really having <BR>trouble deciding on how to see this <BR>area from Rome. Anybody else have ideas?

GAC has provided excellent information. An alternative, however, would be to hire a driver to take you where you want to go if your budget permits it. Don't miss Ravello or the Museum in Naples.

Hi! <BR> <BR>If you decide to go the hire a driver route, I can recommend once again, a son and father team who will pick you up in Rome and drive you to Sorrento or Naples with a stop in Pompeii on the way down. We did this ourselves in July, and it was really a great day! I've posted many times about these drivers before, and lots of other people on this forum have used them, so if you want the names, just e-mail me. Good luck!

Hi Cheryl, <BR>I live and work in Rome as a tour guide and yes you are right all the organised tours to Pompei and Capri only allow a short time in these places due to the fact that a lot of time is spent travelling there. They are also only offered as a return to Rome trip. <BR>If you would like to email me direct I would be more than happy to give you some ideas on how best to spend your time on the beautiful Almafi coast. Keep in mind that it will be quite cold at this time of year. <BR>If you would like any help or information regarding Rome such as where to stay, what to see and do, where to eat etc, please also feel free to email me direct at <BR>[email protected] <BR> <BR>Regards <BR>Marianna <BR> <BR>Regards <BR>

Will Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, etc., be completely dead and depressing when Cheryl plans to visit (i.e., end of January)?

Hey......is this a Halloween trick. I <BR>hope it won't be closed. The views and <BR>scenery never close...right? Should I <BR>reconsider going at this time? Really <BR>wanted to see part of Italy other than <BR>Rome. Gave up going to Venice....please <BR>don't tell me I shouldn't go here too. <BR>Couldn't resist the price I got for the <BR>airline tickets - that plus the fact I <BR>have to make sure someone is around to <BR>keep an eye on my teenage sons. Anyone <BR>want to volunteer for that? I thought so. Thanks everybody.