a couple of helpful factoids getting around:
you can buy daily transport tickets in Naples or campania. if you buy a ticket called a unicampania giornialero fascia 5 for maybe 5 or 6 euros, you can travel on all regional transport for the day. For example, it covered my whole trip to Pompeii from Naples, including a couple of Metro rides and the ride on the Circumvesuviana. They were playing jazz songs (think Sinatra) in the Metro while I waited, charming.

At Pompeii there is a great opportunity to see some of the normally unopened sites if you reserve online in advance through the Arethusa website. I had peaceful solitary visits to three different houses with fascinating murals.

Thanks for the helpful info, jjkbrook! While in Pompeii, did you go to the Casa dell'Ara Massima? I haven't heard much about it.

yes I did - its right next to the Gilded Cupids house so a good combo and well worth the visit if you are making the reservations. (a keeper has to come to open these up for you, so its probably just as well that you look at both instead of just one)

Great - thanks! Do you remember how much time you left between reservations?

These two are right next to each other - 30 min is fine. The fact is, (assuming you are the only visitor(s) as I was, once you are done viewing the first, the custodian will simply lock it up and you can move to the next