ottawan

Our flights gets into Naples and we have 2.5 days before we take the train into Rome for the time period Jan. A few questions:
1.Is this time enought to travel to Pompeii, Vesuvius, Capri and Amalfi Coast
2.What is an absolute muct to see in that region
3.where do we stay in Capri / Amalfi coast
4.What is the cheapest way to do a quick tour of popular sites

ira

Hi Otta,

The AC is not at its best in Jan - cold, rain, fog, rough seascan all occur.

You can easily take a drive along the Amalfi Coast for a day and see Pompeii, Herculaneum, Caserta or Capri in that time.

Have you given any thought to sightseeing in Naples?

You might find the Naples and AC portion of my trip report helpful.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Fabio

I absolutely recommend to see Pompei and Ercolano but strongly discourage everybody to DRIVE in Naples !!
Take the circumvesiviana train to Pompei but DO NOT DRIVE !!
The only rule people have in Naples to drive is not to have any rule !!
Traffic lights are simply ignored. Cars and motorbikes overtake you also on the right side.
One way road are driven in the opposit way if it is a shorter way !!
Is it enough ?
Of course this is related to the town of Naples. If your accomodation is outside the city you may try to drive but circumvesiviana offers easy access to Pompei.

Capri and Amalfi coast are not that highlights in winter !
I would concentrate on the city of Naples + Pompei and Ercolano + Vesuvio

tdyls

2.5 days to do all of that will not work. Including travel time, allow 1 full day for Pompeii (and maybe Herculaneum too if you've eaten your Wheaties that morning). Capri will take the majority of a day. ONE or TWO towns on the AC is doable, but like Ira said, in January the AC is not the greatest. Capri would be similar. I recommend skipping them both.

I would stay in Naples, daytrip to Pompeii (by Circumvesuviana), half-daytrip to Ercolano and/or Mt. Vesuvius, and then spend 1-1.5 days seeing Naples proper. Naples is well worth the visit.

Waldo

One unknown and humorous activity in Naples is as follows. I'm sure some of you will scoff at it, but it's worthwhile. Ira take note: At the Piazza Dante, there is a large McDonald's fast food restaurant. It's best to get a coffee, or some other little thing, and go to the upper level and find a seat by the large window wall. It is a window that occupies the whole wall which faces the Piazza. From there, you can get a marvelous view of Via Roma and the Piazza, as well as the large building which comprises part of the University of Naples. You can get a bird's eye view of the glory of Neopolitan life and all the goings on in Naples. I have gone there often and I just sit and take in the great sight.

bellastar

waldo-brilliant!

ottawan

Looks like we need to change our plans to go to Naples as Capri and AC were the highlights of our trip to Naples. How about Cinque Terre, you might see that as another question but since I trust your judgement I decided to ask. Thanks for the advice !!

ira

Hi otta,

The CT is not going to be any better than the AC in Jan, probably worse.

Naples is a very interesting city. The CT is only scenery, if you can see it through the fog and rain.

ottawan

Thanks to Ira & this posting...
but now we got to re-tool our itenary!

What cities are great in early Jan in Italy? We have 5 days. We want to split our time between culture (Rome)and scenary (?).

Thanks in advance,
Ottawan

LoveItaly

Hello ottawan, if you have a total of 5 days in Italy I personally would stay one night in Naples, take a day trip to Pompeii, see a bit of Naples, then 4 nights in Rome. If again, weather permitting, if you want a day trip out of Rome consider going by train to Orvietto.

Which airport do you fly home from? You are flying into Naples you say, are you flying home from Naples or from Rome?

I agree with others here, I would personally not want to stay along the coast in January.

When you say you have 5 days I don't know if you mean 4 nights or 5 nights.

You will lose part of the first day arriving in Italy, going through immigration and customs, getting to your hotel. The day of your flight will be taken up with packing up, checking out of the hotel, getting to the airport, checking in, security, having to be at the airport whatever number of hours/minutes before your boarding time etc. Hopefully when you say you will have 5 days you are not counting the day you arrive and the day you depart.

Most people do return to Italy time and time again. Save the coast for a time when you return when it is not in the middle of winter. Best wishes to you.

ottawan

Hi LoveItaly,

Some new info-
Our flights are not yet booked.
This thread has us re-considering
flying into Naples.

Also, we have 5 days and 6 nights.
Jan 1st to Jan 7th.

We're keeping Rome (3 days).
That'll cover culture.

We are now planning to skip scenic
Naples/Amalfi/Capri since it's Jan.

Suggestions for 2 days of scenic Italy
to complement Rome (in January)?

Thanks!

Ann1

Rent a car and drive through Tuscany or take a train to Florence. In Tuscany there are too many little towns to mention. You can spend one night in one and another in another.

Fabio

take a train to Florence and drive from there !!

ira

Hi Ottowan,

I would fly into Venice and out of Florence or Pisa, splitting the visit 3 and 3.

If you must do Rome, why not spend the time there?

You can visit Orvieto for a day, Ostia Antica for a day or Florence for a day should Rome become boring.

ottawan

This thread really re-shaped our Trip for the better.

Thanks ira, fabio, ann1, LoveItaly, waldo, bellastar, tdyls & others!

ira

You are welcome, O

Fabio

if you need flight schedule try www.amadeus.net

have a great trip !!