Pompeii or Bust -- Please Help
 

How could I have planned this trip and forgotten about Pompeii? I'd like advice on how to squeeze it in, if possible.

This trip begins with arrival in Rome May 24. I stay 4 nights there, then train to Naples and take the ferry to Capri. Two nights there, then on to Positano for 2 nights. Back to Naples to catch the train to Florence, with 2 nights there. I finish with the train to Milan, 1 night there, and home.

Can you think of how to fit in Pompeii and/or the Naples Archaeology Museum? I've considered a day trip to Pompeii from Rome, Capri, or Positano. Or should I just forget it and hope to return to Italy again?

Hi Debra,

I would cut out Milan and add your day to Naples so you can see Pompeii and the museum. If you have to fly out of Milan because your ticket is already booked, you could just take a early/late train from Florence straight to Malpensa.

My Amalfi Coast itinerary is similar to yours. Flying into Rome, straight to Positano (2 nights), Capri 1 night, Naples 1 night.

I plan on seeing either Pompeii (for the second time) or Herculaneum upon arrival from Capri. Next morning the museum and Cappella Sanservero (SP?) and whatever else I can squeeze in. I don't have to be in Rome by a certain time, so I think this will work.

Buon viaggio!

Thanks, Dayle. Anyone else want to opine?

Hi Debra, I am assuming that your have an open jaw ticket and will be flying home from Milan. Milpensa airport no doubt?

Debra, do not wait until the day of your flight home from Milan to take the train to Milan unless the flight is in the evening which I doubt.

Italy has wonderful trains however there can be strikes and it is not unusual for the trains to be running late. So just a word of caution to you because you do want to get to the airport to check in on time so you do not lose your seat on the plane.

Personally I would leave Pompeii for another trip. And yes, whether you think so or not, you will have more trips. I don't know anyone that only goes to Italy once. One gets quite addicted to travelling to Italy.

Personally I think your plans look perfect. I would not change a thing. Do have a beautiful time. And enjoy Capri, it is such a gorgeous island.

Without changing your itinerary, you might consider leaving Capri early in the morning after your two nights by going to Sorrento and taking the train to Pompeii, then ending up in Positano later that afternoon. I'm not sure how you're getting around and what you'll do with the luggage, but otherwise the logistics of that work.

I assume the night in Milan is to accompany an already booked return flight, so you probably can't cut that. Too late now, but I would have stuck with southern Italy and left out Florence and Milan for such a short trip.

And by the way, I'm not sure you wouldn't do better getting the train in Salerno to head to Florence, rather than in Naples, coming from Positano. I wouldn't swear to it, but it somehow seems like it might be easier.

If you really want to see Pompei I wouldn't do any backtracking. There is no point in trying to day trip from Positano, you'll arrive back in Positano late in the afternoon or early evening tired only to get up at the crack of dawn to begin your long journey to Florence and I wouldn't try to day trip from Rome or Capri for same reasons. Your best alternative if you must see Pompei is cut Capri or Positano down to 1 night and go to Pompei and just spend the night there, it will give you more time to explore the site....from there you can get an earlier start to Naples and see the museum before moving on to Florence. Sounds like a whirlwind trip, you should really think about spending more time in key places and covering less ground. Though that is just my opinion.
Happy travels.

Stop at Pompeii on your way from Positano to Naples as you will probably be taking the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples and it is on the way. There is a left luggage area at Pompeii. Spend a few hours and then go on to Naples to catch your train to Florence. I don't think you have time to include the museum in Naples.

I'd make a day trip from Positano. You can either hire a car and driver (expensive), take a tour (in-town travel agent can arrange, but it may only leave on certain days), or do it yourself: bus to Sorrento, Circumvesuviana to Pompeii, and reverse. Unless you have something special you want to do in Positano, I think this would work ut best. You'll still have dinner in town that night.

Hi

I agree with Pausanias post. Pompei should not be missed and very easy to do from Positano using cheap public transport. I would reduce your time in Rome to 3 nights and add it to Positano. I know this hurts - Rome is so fabulous - but think of the trade off. You get to do Pompeii and you get to spend an extra day in Positano. Looking at your busy itinerary you will need chill out time so you are going to value just sitting around, taking in the view with some nice Italian wine or beer.

Restaurant Tip, Positano: Da Costantino, via Montepertuso, 107 Tel: 089.875738. http://www.dacostantino.com
Great food, lovely wine, views ,cheap (35-40 euro for 2). Try the Gnocchi al sugo.

Buon viaggio

If you really want to see Pompeii, I'd suggest doing it this way:

Cut one night from your stay in Rome.

Day trip to Pompeii.

Catch local train from Pompeii- Sorrento.

Overnight in Sorrento.

Catch ferry from Sorrento- Capri

Continue with rest of scheduled itinerary.

The only thing I'm not sure of is how to get from Rome-Pompeii. I think there may be a train? If not,you can either hire a private driver ( expensive, I know, but may be worth it timewise) or maybe you can do a guided tour out of Rome, then catch the local train from Pompeii-Sorrento.

Good luck!