Hi there,

I'm planning to visit South of Italy next week. Overall I've got two weeks so I'd like to fly to Naples and eventually make my way down to Lipari. I thought I could base myself there and do some island hopping before returning to Naples to catch my flight back home.
From other threads, I understand that people would like to spend a couple of days in Naples, (perhaps visit Ischia and Procida ) stay 1-2 nights each in Tropea and Maratea to see the beautiful beaches, maybe 2 nights in Taormina before taking the hydrofoil to Lipari from Milazzo. It would be a tremendous help if you could help me out with my itinerary. How many days/nights do you think I should spend in each town and from Lipari what would be best alternatives for daily trips to other islands?

I've also got another option where I could take the overnight ferry from Corfu to Bari. Take the train from Bari to see Matera and probably stay overnight before heading to Salerno, Naples and eventually make my way down to Lipari?

Would I be better off renting a car from Naples or would you advise bus and train for the whole trip?

Grazie mille

Come again as soon as you know whether you will fly to Corfu, Bari, Brindisi, Naples, Lamezia or Catania.
If you come by ferry from Epirus, you may also be interested in direct Bari - Catania low cost flights.

Lipari: I'm not sure if by ``best alternatives'' you mean destinations or transportation methods?

If the latter, there are lots of options right there at Lipari port and you can either pick up some brochures or ask at your hotel.

If the former: I have visited Salina and Vulcano (during a stay in Lipari). Vulcano is mostly about the nature park and hiking up the volcano to peer down the rim; there are guides and you can rent a gas mask if you want to get really close.

Salina's main port has more ``town'' to walk around in, and a small public beach near town center. You may also want to visit Rinella, which is not big, but the food is wonderful.

I was told that Stromboli has some nice restaurants and a pleasant town to visit.

I really couldn't decide between the two alternatives.

I might arrive to Bari from Corfu (perhaps spend a day or two visiting the beaches near monopoli, valle d'itria) and then take the train to Matera spend a night here and then take the bus to Naples. Fly down to Catania and visit Taormina before taking the hydrofoil from Milazzo.

or fly to naples and spend a couple of days perhaps visiting procida and ischia, rent a car and drive to maera return back to Naples and then fly down to Sicily?

Which one do you think sounds more reasonable and less hassle considering I've got 2 weeks.

If you fly home from Naples anyway, it doesn't make sense to make the big detour from Bari to Naples and to backtrack then immediately to the south. There are planes, buses and trains from Bari to Sicily

Good point!

To answer, I think we need to know something about your interests.

I've decided to let go of the Corfu option - since the airfares went off the roof for the month of september -and spend the entire time (14 days) in Italy. I''ll fly to Naples and would like to spend some time there and do daily trips to Pompei, Amalfi, Postano, Sorrento and Ravello? I'd also very much like to visit Ischia and Procida.

Then I thought I can take the catamaran or ferry from Naples to Lipari and do the island hopping for several days and making my way to Taormina and eventually to Catania to catch a flight to Bari. Rent a car and visit beaches near monopoli and perhaps drive down to lecce and spend the night there? The next day, finally head over to Matera on my way back to Naples.

Doable, what do ypu think?

If you are flying home from Naples, you need to put your Naples visit at the end of your trip. Ischia, Procida, Pompeii and Sorrento are easy to visit from Naples. Amalfi, Positano and Ravello are more difficult. You might check for return ferries from Lipari to Salerno, take the Sita bus from Salerno to Amalfi and spend a few days there (visit Amalfi, Positano, Ravello) before ending your trip in Naples to visit the rest of your list.

Thank you kybourbon, I appreciate it!

i've come across this message on the net, probably choose the day train.

"1. Hydrofoil from Lipari to Milazzo at 7:00 am (Siremar) or at 7:50 am (Ustica Lines). Fare 14.70 Euros. Travel time 1 hour. NOTE: There is also the Siremar fast ferry at 7:00 am arriving at Milazzo at 8:30 am which is more scenic and often a better choice in rough seas than the much smaller hydrofoil.

2. ICP train "Peloritano" from Milazzo at 9:55 arrive Salerno at 15:41. Fare 35.50 Euros in second class or 28.80 Euros with the advance purchase "AMICA" fare. There is also a first class railcar available at a higher fare. This train originates in Palermo and travels to Rome, but seats are reserved so this is not a problem.

3. Local bus from Salerno to Vietri sul Mare."

I'm not sure where you are getting your train info (ICP train? - perhaps the old ICPlus that no longer is designated that way), but it's not accurate. There aren't any "Amica" fares. Those were years ago. There are IC trains (Intercity) and ICN (Intercity night). The IC train fares start at 9€ (supereconomy advance purchase fare 2nd class) and range to 45€ (full fare second class).

----2ª CLASSE ---- 1ª CLASSE
BASE -- 45. 50 € ---- 60. 00 €
ECONOMY -- 19. 00 € ---- 39. 00 €
SUPER ECONOMY -- 9. 00 € ---- 29. 00 €

I just noticed you are traveling next week. It's unlikely the cheaper train fares will be available on Trenitalia.

Train fare is the least of my worries, believe me Thanks for the update!

At first glance, it looks quite rushed to me, but I still don't think I can comment meaningfully without knowing something of your interests.

Kja,
Quite simple actually, enjoy sun&beaches, good food, historic sites , culture
Just tell me please which parts you would take out to make it more simple and less tiring?

> (14 days) in Italy. I''ll fly to Naples and would like to spend some time there and do daily trips to Pompei, Amalfi, Postano, Sorrento and Ravello? I'd also very much like to visit Ischia and Procida. ... Then I thought I can take the catamaran or ferry from Naples to Lipari and do the island hopping for several days and making my way to Taormina and eventually to Catania to catch a flight to Bari. Rent a car and visit beaches near monopoli and perhaps drive down to lecce and spend the night there? The next day, finally head over to Matera on my way back to Naples.

So, shall I assume that museums and cathedrals and exploring cities are not high priorities for you? So Naples would be "just" a base, not the focus of your attention? Assuming that, it sounds like you have plans for at least 3 or 4 days based in Naples, then island hopping for "several days" then Taormina and Catania - another day or two? Then a lost day for transit, before a few days in Puglia, a day or two in Matera, then another day spent in transit?

I suppose that is doable. Sounds to me like moving around a LOT to see very little. It does not sound relaxing to me, except for for the island-hopping days, and I don't seem much beach time in there, again except for the islands.

Dear kja,

Honestly, if i knew the region very well or was an expert traveller I wouldn't post questions here if you could offer me a finer alternative I'd really appreciate it. I really don't want to get into details of what I like or not in this forum, I have limited spaces to explain what I need so I refrain from getting into very specifics. Grazie

LOL, Muratti, I'm not going to try to decide your priorities for you! Like most Fodorites, I'm simply another non-expert traveler who is willing to share my insights and experiences. If you want someone to plan a trip for you, you would probably do well to go to a travel agent. Good luck!

I think you got the whole idea backwards, and good luck to you my friend. I've obtained very valuable info elsewhere so please don't reply to my message and let's leave it at that. If you've got nothing to share then please don;t take up other people's time and patience.