I know there are a lot of posts here about naples but i'm hoping someone can give some advice on my specific issue. i will be spending 3 nights at le sireneuse at the beginning of march. i have 2 other nights to spend in the area and i'm trying to decide between adding them onto the positano stay or, arriving from rome, spending 2 nights at Excelsior hotel (for FREE, mind you) and then the first full day going to capri and then the second day packing up and visiting pompeii on the way down to positano. Thoughts? We've been to italy a couple of times before and are somewhat sophisticated travellers. we probably will not really visit naples unless someone tells me otherwise. Thanks very much!

Hi Rock,

Am I reading this correctly? You can train from Rome to Naples, stay at the Excelsior for free and go on to Positano via Pompeii.

If that is true, I would not go to Capri, but spend the day in Naples.

See my trip report Ira?s Trip Report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

RockOn, could you be a little more clear? Are you thinking about going to Naples two nights BEFORE heading off to Positano? And while in Naples, using it as a base to see Pompeii for a day, and then the other day, to Capri?

If that's what you're doing, the only advantage to staying in Naples is that it will be FREE. Because you're certainly not going to "see" Naples. Both Pompeii and Capri will take an entire day if you do them right. You'll be leaving your hotel early to catch either the ferry or train, and you won't be back until late. If that's the scenario you're proposing, the fact that you'll be sleeping in Naples is almost beside the point.

Only you know if Naples will appeal to you. Some people hate it; others adore it. I'm in the second camp. It's not elegant or serene. It's lively, noisy, vibrant, crowded, and to me, wonderful. Those same attributes are what other people cite as reasons to dismiss it, but to each his own in the world of travel! It would be a very stark contrast, however, to your stay in Le Sireneuse. Maybe the juxtaposition of two opposites would appeal; maybe not.

Don't miss this FREE opportunity to see a little of Naples! Naples is a wonderful city with a lot to offer. I wouldn't go to Capri in March anyway-can't count on the ferries running (and bringing you back) and many places will be closed for the season. Use that day to explore Naples and be sure to visit the archeologic museum.

thanks ira and dln for your thoughts. to clarify, we will be driving from Rome (FCO) to Naples/Positano. we will have a car all week. this shouldn't be difficult vis a vis parking since it is the beginning of march. you are correct about my thoughts re: naples. we would arrive in naples from FCO. Then spend the late afternoon and evening there. then the next day take the ferry to capri for the day. That night back in naples. then the next morning check out and drive to pompeii on our way to positano for 3 nights. i understand i won't see much of naples but i'm not sure i'd want to either. i was thinking that by staying there we could walk aroudn the city at night a bit and get a feel for it. I guess my question was should i even bother staying there at all. but in some ways my curiousity has the best of me and i probably will spend the 2 nights in naples. any other thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Naples is great. Definitely take some time to see it. Capri will be pretty dead in March, and there's always the possibility that the funicular up the hill to the main town won't be running. I'd be pretty leery of driving to and in Naples, though!

Hi Rock,

I loved Naples. It is Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni at their best. It is a lovely, vibrant, noisy, chaotic city that is so Ialian, it makes the folks up North look staid.

You ought to visit the Archaeological Museum before you go to Pompeii.

See my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Naples is a grande dame of a city.
The Excelsior a great hotel. Go to Naples....

If you are really into museums, churches, architecture and urban studies, you will love Naples. It is vibrant, messy, chaotic, steeped in art and culture, and thoroughly engrossing. Very different from the rest of Italy. I spent a whole week there for free at the Excelsior (frequent flier hotel vouchers); it is a great hotel in a fantastic location. Don't pass up this opportunity. Three days at Le Sireneuse is enough for that part of the Amalfi Coast. If you don't like the city of Naples, you can always go to Pompei, Caserta, or Capri.

Agree with other Naples lovers--lots to see , the museum ( good suggestion to go before Pompeii), the Capello Sanservero, the ancient aqueduct, the Villa Martino, just the whole vibrant scene. I think Capri in March would be disappointing as many places are closed.

I recommend the Archeological Museum in Naples. We were in the Naples area last March and went to Capri. We had no problems getting a ferry and most things were open. The funicular was not open yet though, but they run buses up the hill so you should have no problems. Although the buses were a bit crowded.