This is my first time to this web site and attempting online chat so please forgive any faux paus in e-lingo. My husband and I are planning a two trip to Italy and are trying to make and Itinerary to include. This is the plan so far: Venice 2 and half days then to Florence 2 days then days trip to Pisa and Sienna and maybe Areazzo if the antique market is anything woth a journey. From there (Florenece) fly to Naples and hydrofoil to Capri day trip to Pompeii, then Naples to Rome. <BR>Here are my questions: Postitano instead of Capri, Herculaneum or Pompeii? Is Capri a must? If no where would you overnight while seeing Pompeii. <BR>My husband and my enjoy history and this is our first time to Europe (we in our early 30's) are there any suggestions on other places to go or better use our time? Thanks for any help!

In short:<BR>a) a flight from Florence to Naples makes little sense, unless it's free ... The Eurostar between Florence and Naples takes only 3 1/2 hours. Shuttling between airports and city centers, checking luggage in/out, etc, may take longer;<BR>b) Pompeii may be visited out from Naples, out from Sorrento, or enroute between Naples and Salerno (there's a luggage concierge in Pompeii);<BR>c) My personal preference is Pompeii over Ercolano;<BR>d) I like Capri (would prefer Anacapri if staying overnight) ... I don't rate it as a must, though; you'll have to decide if you'll want to stay in Capri, visiting it out from Naples or Positano, or do without it! <BR><BR>Paulo

Yes definitely the train, the Eurostar is a modern bullet-type train and costs 1st/121,400L($60US) & 2nd/79,300L($40). If you are both history buffs I'd suggest doing both Pompeii & Herculaneum. Be at Pompeii at 9am opening, spend ~5hrs and hop back on the CS (Circumvesuviana) commuter train that got you there. Head towards Naples but in ~20min get off at Ercolano and walk 5min to Herculaneum, spend 2hrs. And to really top off the historical side of your visit, when you leave Capri or Positano. Leave early and drop your bags at luggage storage at the Naples train station and hop on IIRC Metro line 4 who's 1st stop in Piazza Cavour. Exit station, turn right and walk 150m to the Archaeological Museum and see all the artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum and the surrounding area. I believe the museum closes at 2pm and is closed Tue. www.cib.na.cnr.it/mann/museum/mann.html BTW Naples to Rome is only 1:45-2hrs. I'm not a fan of bus tours but to get the most out of your time in Florence, take an afternoon tour to Pisa. I believe they leave ~2pm and return ~7pm with a 2hr guided tour. This way you'd have and extra morning in Florence and lunch and then Pisa. But it's also an easy daytrip on your own. If your e-mail address is valid (if not e-mail me) I'll send you a Rome-Pompeii/Herculaneum trip report in which you can find some info that might be helpful. <BR>HTH Regards, Walter <BR>

Thank you Paulo, and Walter!!! I was unaware of baggage checks are they safe and are they at most train stations? Thanks again!

Gail: Yes all of the major and many minor stations have luggage storage areas. I don't believe I've ever read a post of anyone having any problems (myself included) using them. It's ~5000L for 12hr generally and the one in Naples is located down the hall from the last track (Maybe 24). The sign is a square with a suitcase in it. <BR>Regards, Walter

Iam not sure if I should just add this as a reply or post a new question (please answer that question as well) but which to you prefer Postitano or Capri/Anacapri? After eight days of lots of sightseeing we will be looking to maybe spoil ourselves for a night or two. Thanks.

Walter got the emails thanks for all the great details.

Gail, My preference was without a doubt Positano over Capri but others may say differently. I think otherwise you are hitting all the right places. Enjoy.

Gail, I have booked accommodation in Positano for 3 nights in June. <BR>We did not fancy staying at a hotel and have booked into a B&B. Villa La Tartana, www.villalatartana.it <BR>It looks great on the web site, triple room with ensuite, airconditioning, balcony, sea views, fridge! for 290,000 lire a night. <BR>If it helps, I booked all our accommodation from the net and suggestions posted at Fodors. Much cheaper than going through a travel agent. Enjoy your trip.