rgrusin

Wife and I (late 50s) are flying in and out of Naples on the dates above, going first to Ravello for a conference where we have a room booked for 5 nights (2 for the conference, 3 after). We are thinking then of taking cheap EasyJet from Naples to Venice for 5 nights (M-F), then returning to Naples for 2 nights (Saturday/Sunday) before flying back to US on Monday.

We are trying to decide if we should keep the three extra Ravello nights or relocate somewhere else (Sorento? Positano? Amalfi?). Also, we are wondering if it makes sense to reduce the Venice portion to 4 nights so that we can spend 3 nights in Naples. We definitely want to spend a day in Pompeii, but don't have any other definite plans for the coast or Naples. I've been to Venice myself for a couple of days but my wife hasn't. My sense is that 5 nights would not be too much, but really it depends on how much time to spend in Naples.

We like art and architecture, food and wine, and walking through cities and in nature (coast and mountains both).

Main questions:

1. Ravello or somewhere else on the Amalfi coast?
2. 5 nights in Venice/2 in Naples or 4/3?

Thanks.

kja

IMO, the good news is that you don't really have a bad option!

I absolutely adored Ravello, but there isn't a lot to do there (don't miss the cathedral or the Villa Rufolo or the Villa Cimbrone!), so relocating after the conference might make sense.

There is a LOT to do in/around Naples. Not everyone likes it there, but I loved its energy and didn't mind that its a bit on the gritty side. The archeology museum (a must see, IMO) takes a least a few hours. With an interest in art and architecture, there's a lot you might enjoy. There are some wonderful works of art in various churches and buildings that are/were associated with religious orders, and of course, the Capodimonte. So 3 days would give you enough time to visit Pompeii and sample Naples's highlights; more time would mean fewer tough choices.

Are you fully committed to including Venice in this trip? If you already have your airline tickets and are flying in and out of Naples, you might want to consider skipping it. f you skip Venice, you would have time in the area around Naples and the Amalfi Coast to spend a night on Capri, which is even more enjoyable after day trippers have left. And you go visit magnificent Paestum and its museum, perhaps fitting a short visit to vastly under-rated Salerno on the way there or back.

Hope that helps!

Jean

The royal palace at Caserta is another day-trip option from Naples.

You might look at lodging availability for your dates in your budget range. You may be a little late for a variety of choice in Venice. Naples might be easier. I don't know about Sorrento.

Marija

I really enjoyed our week in Naples and recommend adding time to Naples. For more info see:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-and-paris.cfm

aliced

Think I'd do 4/3, and stay in Naples or Sorrento upon your return from Venice. Capri worth a day, upper and lower, Sorrento nice to explore for morning, and Positano lovely. Given the winding route, I'd opt to stay closer to return airport. Ravello was gorgeous but only spent few hours there. Visited Venice twice, first for 3-4 nights, and again last year for two days (out of Padua). Still didnt have time for Ca Rezzonico or Guggenheim, but wandering is the best. IMO skip Burano & Murano tours.

Sassafrass

Are your flights already booked? If not, fly into Naples and out of Venice.

If they are, I would go to Venice right after the conference;

2nts Ravello for conference
5nts Venice
5nts The AC and Naples - several options, but I would keep it as a block of time in the area. (2nts Capri or 2nts Positano, or 3/4nts Sorrento (with day trips to Pompeii, boat trip down the AC to visit Positano or Amalfi, day trip to Capri, etc.) and 1nt Naples.