Pompeii on way to Positano or during Rome stay?
 

I am staying in Rome for 4 days (we'll be in Italy for 2 weeks total). Since this is our first trip to Italy--time is precious. <BR>Should we spend one of our days in Rome on a day trip to Pompeii ~~OR~~ go to Pompeii on our way to Positano? (we're staying for a couple days) We will be driving from Rome to Positano. I hate to take a day away from our time in Rome--but I also am concerned about a long day driving from Rome to Pompeii, along the coast to Positano (arriving later)--and it's our first time driving in Europe! <BR>Last question: What is the drive like from Positano to Siena? <BR>Any thoughts from experienced Fodorites would be appreciated.

Definitely go to pompeii on the way to positano. It's a much more convenient approach. It's on the way. Pompeii is about 2 hours south of Rome. Positano is a little further than that. Siena is much closer to Rome than Positano (traveling from North to South it's Siena-Rome-Pompeii-positano). If you are spending any time in FLorence, Siena is very close to there. To get approximate driving times check mapquest.com. From our recent experience, their estimates tend to be longer than what it actually takes. The highway driving no problem at all. The hardest driving is the center of Rome. Pick up your rental car as close as possible to highway access.

Thanks for the reply Marj. While it makes sense to go to Pompeii "on the way" to Positano--I thought we'd be so anxious to get to the coast (which we love)--we'd hate to stop. <BR>Anyone else have additional thoughts or comments??

CB, <BR> <BR>We just did this trip,but in reverse. Drove from Positano to Pompeii, and then on to Rome. I would not recommend driving from Rome to Pompeii then down to Positano in one day. The traffic leaving Rome can be horrendous, and even without it, it's easily at least a two to two and a half hour drive to Pompeii from Rome. Then to Positano from Pompeii is probably about another hour and a half to two hours. A lot to do in one day! I think you'd be better off basing yourselves in POsitano and leaving from there for a day trip to Pompeii. We hired a driver to take us from Positano-Pompeii-Rome and were exhausted at the end of the day, but we didn't have any other way of doing it due to time constraints. If you have any other questions, let me know! Good luck!

Wendy, <BR>What was the charge for the driver on your Posi/Pomp/Rome trip? Did you arrange it dirtectly, or through your hotel? Also, were there extra charges for the driver being idle while you explored Pompeii? <BR>I'm considering following the same itinerary in November. <BR>Thanks, <BR>j.

I have to disagree with Wendy. Is a 4 hour drive too much for one day? And Pompeii is probably the perfect distance for a break. Pompeii is very close to the coast. By the time you get there you will have had plenty of glimpses of the Bay of Naples. If you're conserving time this is the perfect time to do it. Have a blast.

CB, I'll chime in here with my 2 cents worth. I would not stop at Pompei on the way down. I also believe CB, you should consider renting your own car for this trip. While you don't want a car in Rome, it will provide much more flexibility on this jaunt. Drive from Rome to Vietre su Mar(stop here - great Italian Ceramics made here before your very eyes), drive the Amalfi coast road(one of the most beautiful drives in the world) to Positano, and enjoy the Amalfi coast, i.e., ravello, amalfi, etc. When you leave Positano, (which is hard to do) leave a little early, drive by way of Sorento, to Pompei. Tour there for a 3-4 hours, then the couple + hours back to Rome. We did this exactly this way a few years ago, and it worked out perfect. <BR> <BR>Positano to Siena would be a long drive, and I wouldn't stop at Pompei, unless you feel you can get by with just an hour or so. I don't know, but it would be a long day, but do-able. <BR> <BR>We drove from Florence to Positano, and I remember it as a long, grueling drive, just one long Autostada, devoid of much interest until the Amalfi coast, as we didn't feel we had enough time to stop anywhere. Then after Rome, we went to Siena, an easy enough drive. Then eventually back to Milan to catch our US bound flight. While the Florence to Positano leg was long, we were happy with the end result. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps, at least it worked for us. email direct if you want. Caio!

CB, <BR> <BR> We used a father-son team based in Sorrento: Giovanni and Giancarlo Gargiulo. They can be reached via e-mail at: [email protected]. or fax, at: 011-39-0815330907. We found their rates extremely reasonable compared to what we were quoted by the travel agent. Good luck!

Another travel question from Rome to Positano...We're taking an early train from Rome, renting a car in Naples and driving to Positano. Would there be time to drive to the Phlegrean Fields and see Pozzuli and Cumae? This sounds like an interetsting area, and since we are dropping the car off 5 days later in Sorrento, we may not get back to Naples. Thanks in advance for replys!

Lynne, it is do-able if you don't stop in Pompeii and don't mind getting to getting to Positano late in the day. Naples to Phlegrean fields via the SS7A should be just about 45 minutes, possibly less depending on traffic. The Solfitara (a good example) will only take 1/2 hour. Pozzuoli will be a good stop for lunch. Another 1/2 hour for the amphitheater. Another 1/2 hour drive to Cuma, which will take about 1 hour to see completely. It's another half-to-three-quarter-hour drive from Cuma to Naples (via the Tanzenziale, and maybe, with heavy traffic, 2 hours from Naples to Positano. I should think that it would take about 10 hours for the whole thing, if you are judicious with your time, from the time you get on the train in Rome. It may even take less, as I've driven from Naples to Pozzuoli in 25 minutes, and Cuma is really only about 15 minutes from Pozzuoli. I used "outside" times and allowed for what my husband used to call "rubber-necking" along the way. It also allows about 1/2 hour extra to spend in one of the areas, like in Pozzuoli to see the partially submerged market place. By the way, just about 5 minutes off the SS-7A there is another spot where the Phlegrean fields are in evidence, in Agnano--and these are free and a quick stop. If you want directions, please e-mail me. I'll try to come up with some that will get you there without being lost. <BR> <BR>Have fun on this trip. It really is a wonderful, little-visited area. For example, I've been to Cuma a number of times and never seen more than 2 other people there. And you can get the best seafood in Pozzuoli, caught that morning.

Thanks Linda for the thoughtful reply. Yes, if you could e-mail me directions it would be terrific. We want to see as much as possible in our 5 nights in Positano and stopping on the way may take time, but hey, we're there to see the sites! We are saving Pompeii for another day.