Need help with Naples-Capri-Sicily port info
 

I'm still looking for a nice B&B close to the Archaeologico museum in Naples with an easy way to get to the train station to see Pompeii and to the port to get a hydrofoil to Capri.

We have 2 1/2 days in Naples. Plan to spend 1/2 day in museum, full day at Pompeii and last day at Capri.

We plan to take a boat at 8 pm that leaves for Sicily. Figure we should go to Capri that day so we can easily get back to the marina to catch the boat to Palermo.

With all this in mind, can anybody give me some ideas for:

1. a B&B in Naples (has anyone stayed at Il Giardino Segreto?? (there are 8 in our group)
2. Is it feasible to see Capri in a day and get back to the port to catch the 8 pm to Sicily? Can anyone give me ideas with logistics for this?
3. Is there anywhere to store our luggage at the port/marina?

Thanks in advance for help & suggestions!!!!

I don't have any B&B suggestions, but keep in mind you are supposed to be checked in and ON BOARD your overnight ferry to Palermo 2 hours before scheduled departure. I think I would visit the museum on the last day instead of depending on Capri ferries (is your last day your half day?). I'm not familiar with luggage storage at the port, but there is storage at the Naples train station.You will need leave plenty of time to retrieve your luggage and catch your overnight ferry as sometimes the luggage storage will close for a meal or there can be long lines. Another option would be to check if your B&B allows storage.

Actually, we are coming down from Rome on the train in the a.m. arriving Naples around 11:45 am. I thought it would be best to get checked in at hotel/B&B then go to museum in the afternoon. The following 2 days I was hoping to spend in Pompeii and Capri.

I didn't know we had to be ON BOARD 2 hours before to get to Palermo. I was figuring an hour.

If I can find a place to stay close enough to the port, I thought I could leave the luggage there while we did our day trip and pick it up before we head to the boat for Palermo.

Are you using Snav? I'm pretty sure there info states 2 hours before, but you might want to check.

Naples to Pompeii Scavi is only about 30 minutes by train (take the Circumvesuviana downstairs in the main train station). You could do it day 1 after you drop your luggage at the B&B. Day 2 Capri and day 3 stay in Naples for the museum so you won't be worrying about getting back in time.

Pompeii is open until 7:30 pm April-October (last admission time 6pm). They have a cafeteria with decent food if you need to grab a bite to eat while touring.
www.pompeiisites.org

SNAV's website does specify a two-hour check-in time which seems quite excessive.
Tirrenia specify two hours for people with vehicles, but just 15 minutes for people without vehicles.
TTT Lines specify two hours with vehicles, or one hour without a vehicle.

I have twice stayed at the Bella Capri. It's right across from the port where the ferries to Capri and also Sicily leave from. This is what I wrote in my review: "This must surely be the best place to stay in Naples! The view out over the harbor and Bay of Naples, with Mt Vesuvius in the distance, is magnificent and endlessly fascinating. We sat on our small terrace, sipping a pre-dinner glass of wine, enjoying all the activity below. There are many restaurants within short distance walk. The traffic from below was noisy during the afternoon, but at night with the windows closed and the air conditioning turned on, it didn't bother our sleep at all. The hotel is actually a pensione on the sixth floor of a large office building, reached by an elevator that takes a 5-Euro coin to make it run during business hours. A short walk from where the Airport Bus stops. The staff were all very welcoming and helpful."

It's also a quick walk, maybe 15-20 minutes, to the Circumvesuviana, for Pompeii, Herculaneum, etc. It's not perfect, nothing luxurious, the breakfast leaves much to be desired but there are many places nearby, or just across at the port, where you can have something for breakfast. On the one floor there are en-suite rooms. Ask for a room facing the sea. Upstairs is more like a hostel, rooms with shared facilities. I haven't tried those.

I stayed there before taking the overnight ferry to Lipari (Aeolians) and the hotel was fine with keeping our luggage while we were out for the day.

I reserved through venere.com

LOTS of great info! Thanks!!!

I didn't realize Pompeii was open that long. Seems I remember my husband and I catching the last train back at 6 pm. If that's still the case, maybe we'll just get a taxi to get back so we have more time to spend there.

I only briefly looked at snav and didn't realize about the 2 hour prior to departure time. Yes, that sounds quite excessive to me as well. It makes sense if you have a car, but we don't. I'll definitely check all 3 sites mentioned for the boat trip as well as the pensione mentioned. We're very easy going, laid back folks and as long as the rooms are clean and safe, we're fine. Thanks for the great suggestions!!! :-)

You would only need to check with the company you've booked your overnight ferry with, not all three.

AFAIK - The Circumvesuviana train runs quite late (at least until 11:30 pm).
www.vesuviana.it

Correction: in my information above about the Bella Capri, i'ts a 5-cent coin, not 5-euro, for the elevator, and the hotel will provide the coins (after the first).

Also, about the ferry, you probably already know this, but just in case, make sure you have cabin reservations beforehand. You can go to the office on the front and get the reservations when you arrive in Naples, if necessary.

Here are 2 photos from the Bella Capri (first two images in the album): http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/c1461898.html

And finally, if you sail through the Aeolians, do get up and go out on deck for Stromboli at dawn.

julia 1 - You have some amazing photos you've posted on the web. Just gives me more ideas for future trips!!!! :-D

My husband is concerned that we won't have enough time in Pompeii if we go there after we check in plus adding a 30-40 min. train ride. I know we spent all day there in 2002 but the others haven't seen it before. We might have to re-think our itinerary....I just don't know the best way to rearrange everything and get to all the places we need/want to be.

As for Bella Capri, it sounds like it's a great location. I'll definitely check them out.

OK folks -- I have everything worked out except for the ferry to Palermo. I want to book with SNAV but have run in to problems trying to accomplish this on-line. I'll call them directly next weekend.

My next question..... we arrive Sunday morning. I assume we need to get to the airport to rent a car but I need info on how to get there. There are 8 in our party. Do we take a taxi to get a rental car? I don't think most rental car agencies are open this early in the a.m. and especially not on Sundays. Any ideas???? I have one month left before we leave!