We are flying to Rome and my son really <BR>wants to see Pompei. Is it best to take <BR>a train, or rent a car? We don't have <BR>much time and would like to know where<BR>to stay in the area, in a hotel around $200.<BR>Capri, Sorrento?

Definitely do it and take the train. It's well worth it. Do a text search on "pompeii train" for some very specific information already posted here. We drove, but we drove into Rome the night before so already had a car. Driving in and out of Rome itself is horrible. From what I've read, the train is no trouble at all. When you arrive in Pompeii you can easily hook up with a tour group or a private guide.

If you look at www.fs-on-line.com you can check the schedule to Naples. At the Naples train station you catch the Circumvesuviana train into Pompeii. If you do a search they also have a web site with times. M.

We stayed in Pompeii at the Motel "Villa dei Misteri"<BR>Tel. 081/861.35.93 - Fax 081/862.29.83 e-mail: [email protected]<BR>It is a great place: rooms are clean, they have a swimming pool and nice restaurant. During our stay a group of american archaeologists checked in. By the way, the best orange juice we had in Italy was in Pompeii: they grow oranges and serve fresh juice - incomparable!

Your son is right; Pompii is wonderful. Follow a Fodorite suggestion and buy the small book in the bookstore there with plastic overlays showing "now and then" (thank you, whomever). At Pompii rent the telephone-like tape guides (it was $7 for two) and not go with a person guide. Part of the fun is wandering in and out on your own. the Circumvesuviana train stops directly outside the ruins. We stayed overnight at the Hotel Amleto, airconditioned with free indoor parking, for under $100 for us two, right downtown near the Church and another entrance to the ruins. Eat at Zia Catarina on the main street downtown (the locals do; great food). <BR>If you are there on a Saturday or Sunday evening, there is the traditional Passigiatta, where everyone in the town, everyone, walks up and down the street for hours; great people watching.

Been to Pompei twice, the last time on our honey moon. I wouldn't stay anywhere but Hotel Grillo Verde. You can find it at www.hotelgrilloverde.it. The Borellis that run the establishment are wonderful. I don't know if it was because it was slow season but they always saw to it that we were driven to the ruins, train station, ect. The first time that I went it was just me and my friend. Two females. They were very protective. I felt like I was staying with family. We didn't spend any where near the 200.00 mark. It was more like 60. They have parking available. It has been the only hotel that I loved well enough to stay at twice.