Rome / Matera itinerary
Sep 10th, 2015, 07:03 PM
#1
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Rome / Matera itinerary
Hi - Landing in Rome (FCO) at 7;30am on Oct 21. We want to fit in these cities and I am trying
to figure out which city to go to first and how to get there.
Rome, Matera, Naples,
This is what I was thinking. After landing in Rome (FCO), fly right to Bari and then train to Matera?
Stay 3 nights.
Then bus from Matera to Naples for 2 nights. Want to hit capri and Pompeii.
Then train to Rome for 3 nights.
Does that sound reasonable in that order? Or should we go to Naples first? Or should we just rent a car?
to figure out which city to go to first and how to get there.
Rome, Matera, Naples,
This is what I was thinking. After landing in Rome (FCO), fly right to Bari and then train to Matera?
Stay 3 nights.
Then bus from Matera to Naples for 2 nights. Want to hit capri and Pompeii.
Then train to Rome for 3 nights.
Does that sound reasonable in that order? Or should we go to Naples first? Or should we just rent a car?
Sep 10th, 2015, 09:05 PM
#2
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It really depends on what YOU want to see and do, but I thought 1 night (a bit over a full day) sufficient for Matera. In contrast, I wish I'd had a week for Naples!
If you want to visit Capri and Pompeii from Naples, then I think you probably need at least 3 nights there, even if you skip just about all of Naples itself -- which I don't recommend. If nothing else, I would encourage you to make time for the magnificent archeological museum there, which holds many of the relics that were found in Pompeii and other sites in the area.
Also, 3 nights (2 days) is not much at all for Rome.
I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (always a worthy investment, IME, or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
As for order -- you need to plot it out to see whether the things you want to see are open on the days that you would be where they are.
IMO, a car would not serve you well for this itinerary. In fact, it could be a hindrance.
Good luck!
If you want to visit Capri and Pompeii from Naples, then I think you probably need at least 3 nights there, even if you skip just about all of Naples itself -- which I don't recommend. If nothing else, I would encourage you to make time for the magnificent archeological museum there, which holds many of the relics that were found in Pompeii and other sites in the area.
Also, 3 nights (2 days) is not much at all for Rome.
I recommend that you get some good guidebooks (always a worthy investment, IME, or spend some time with a few in your local library), identify the things you most want to see in each location, note their opening/closing times, and mark them on a calendar. Pencil in your transportation, add some time on either side (for getting to/from your lodging, checking in/out, packing/unpacking, getting oriented, etc.). Then see how things fit together.
As for order -- you need to plot it out to see whether the things you want to see are open on the days that you would be where they are.
IMO, a car would not serve you well for this itinerary. In fact, it could be a hindrance.
Good luck!
Sep 11th, 2015, 02:25 AM
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To be honest, it sounds like a stressful trip, unless you have a reason to want to see Bari and Matera. Otherwise your 8 nights would be better off spent between Rome and Naples, which are 2 places you really need more time in.
But, if you're wedded to this itinerary, I would stick with the order you have it in, it makes sense - a loop of sorts. With all this traveling a rental car may not be the worst idea however you won't need it while in Rome or Naples. You could fly to Bari and pick up a rental there when you're ready to go to Matera, use it to get to Naples and drop it off there, taking a train to Rome.
I agree with the advice however regarding making sure everything is open when you want to see what you want to see. Your days are really precious when you only have 2-3 days in most places (aside from travel time), so you want to a plan B to account for closures, weather, and transportation strikes.
Best of luck to you.
But, if you're wedded to this itinerary, I would stick with the order you have it in, it makes sense - a loop of sorts. With all this traveling a rental car may not be the worst idea however you won't need it while in Rome or Naples. You could fly to Bari and pick up a rental there when you're ready to go to Matera, use it to get to Naples and drop it off there, taking a train to Rome.
I agree with the advice however regarding making sure everything is open when you want to see what you want to see. Your days are really precious when you only have 2-3 days in most places (aside from travel time), so you want to a plan B to account for closures, weather, and transportation strikes.
Best of luck to you.
Sep 11th, 2015, 07:21 AM
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Thanks for comments. I should mention that my grandmother is from Matera so I would like to see the town where she grew up. It seems like a long way to get there for one night so I figured two. And I want the easiest way to get there so I though maybe flying to Bari but if that does not make sense I do not need to do that. We are not opposed to driving but unsure of not being able to read italian signs.
We have already been to Rome so do no need much time there. I wanted to hit Matera and capri but did not know the best way to travel in between.
Besides my travel questions,
Is there a must see in Matera?
Do ferries go to capri at end of Oct?
We have already been to Rome so do no need much time there. I wanted to hit Matera and capri but did not know the best way to travel in between.
Besides my travel questions,
Is there a must see in Matera?
Do ferries go to capri at end of Oct?
Sep 11th, 2015, 11:05 AM
#6
If the timing of the buses and trains work for you, do it the way you suggested. I like the freedom of having our own transportation so enjoy driving. I might pick up a car in Bari & return it in Naples. Driving is very easy and you shouldn't have trouble with the signs. I don't speak Italian and we have driven many times in all parts of the country with n o problems. However, if you're not comfortable driving, then do go the bus/train route.
Matera is fascinating and the history and story behind the village remarkable. You may already know it from your grandmother, but if not I recommend a guide. We used Nadia who we found on Fodors. She grew up there and was fabulous. While you can read about the town in a book, it is very different to have someone from there give you their perspective along with the history. She greatly enhanced our understanding of Matera.
I agree that if you go to Capri & Pompei you wont have much time to see Naples which has much to see. Dont miss the Archaeology Museum there.
Have a great trip!
Matera is fascinating and the history and story behind the village remarkable. You may already know it from your grandmother, but if not I recommend a guide. We used Nadia who we found on Fodors. She grew up there and was fabulous. While you can read about the town in a book, it is very different to have someone from there give you their perspective along with the history. She greatly enhanced our understanding of Matera.
I agree that if you go to Capri & Pompei you wont have much time to see Naples which has much to see. Dont miss the Archaeology Museum there.
Have a great trip!
Sep 11th, 2015, 01:10 PM
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By all means spend as much time as you can in Matera if you have family history--it is a fascinating and beautiful place.
For Capri, check ferry schedules here:
http://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule
I think using public transport it would be near impossible to see Capri and Pompeii if you only have 2 nights in Naples.
The only argument for renting a car for me would be all of the things you could see just outside of Matera if you have one, as well as being able to visit Paestum, south of Naples.
For Capri, check ferry schedules here:
http://www.capri.net/en/ferry-schedule
I think using public transport it would be near impossible to see Capri and Pompeii if you only have 2 nights in Naples.
The only argument for renting a car for me would be all of the things you could see just outside of Matera if you have one, as well as being able to visit Paestum, south of Naples.
Sep 11th, 2015, 05:49 PM
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Aaah, now it makes sense!
I must admit that I strongly prefer to use public transportation rather than a rental car whenever possible, and you do have both train and bus options to connect these cities. Rome2rio.com is generally a good source for transportation information.
Do you already have your flights? If not, consider options for flying into Bari and out of Naples or vice versa. If you are committed to Rome, I think your inclination to leave it ASAP and put all your time there at the end makes sense (as long as you aren't going to try driving until you recover from jet lag).
And since you've already seen Rome, you might even just make it 1 night there, as near the airport as makes sense -- there's PLENTY to do in Naples! And giving yourself extra time in Naples would increase the chances of being there on a day when the ferries to Capri are operating.
As you consider whether to fly once in Italy, remember to count the time you need to get to / from an airport, time to be there ahead of time, time to get to / from your next mode of transportation (whether that means getting to a station or picking up a rental or whatever). Once you count all that stuff, air is not always the fastest option.
Hope that helps!
I must admit that I strongly prefer to use public transportation rather than a rental car whenever possible, and you do have both train and bus options to connect these cities. Rome2rio.com is generally a good source for transportation information.
Do you already have your flights? If not, consider options for flying into Bari and out of Naples or vice versa. If you are committed to Rome, I think your inclination to leave it ASAP and put all your time there at the end makes sense (as long as you aren't going to try driving until you recover from jet lag).
And since you've already seen Rome, you might even just make it 1 night there, as near the airport as makes sense -- there's PLENTY to do in Naples! And giving yourself extra time in Naples would increase the chances of being there on a day when the ferries to Capri are operating.
As you consider whether to fly once in Italy, remember to count the time you need to get to / from an airport, time to be there ahead of time, time to get to / from your next mode of transportation (whether that means getting to a station or picking up a rental or whatever). Once you count all that stuff, air is not always the fastest option.
Hope that helps!
Sep 11th, 2015, 06:45 PM
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give Matera at least 2 nights....a very unique place for sure...stay in a cave hotel and immerse yourself in the sassi. we actually had two guides...Nadia mentioned above and Antonio of Matera Tour Guide...Antonio seemed more excited about the future of Matera and we learned alot from him. You benefit greatly from taking a tour....even if you are not a person that does that often....book one in advance for Matera for your first morning and then you can wander. The nights are magical.
Sep 14th, 2015, 04:47 AM
#10
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Many thanks for tips. I am leaning toward renting a car in Bari as suggested. Then leaving Matera, we can drive to Naples area. And we'll lose the car before going to Rome.
More questions:
1) Any must see stops from Matera to Salerno?
2) When we hit Salerno, do we dare drive the Amalfi coast backward or best to be on a tour bus?
3) Thinking now maybe stay in Sorrento area instead of Naples for 3-4 nights. Any thoughts on that?
More questions:
1) Any must see stops from Matera to Salerno?
2) When we hit Salerno, do we dare drive the Amalfi coast backward or best to be on a tour bus?
3) Thinking now maybe stay in Sorrento area instead of Naples for 3-4 nights. Any thoughts on that?
Sep 14th, 2015, 05:01 AM
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1) maybe -- but not enough to give up time in either Matera or Salerno. JMO.
2) consider loosing the car in Salerno. You really shouldn't need it after that!
3) your call. As already noted, I loved Naples! Only you can decide on what YOU want to experience -- do you want a vibrant, energetic city that does NOT depend on tourism (Naples) or a smaller, more relaxed city that relies much more heavily on tourism (Sorrento)? For the things that YOU want to see and experience, are transportation options better from one location than the other? Etc.
2) consider loosing the car in Salerno. You really shouldn't need it after that!
3) your call. As already noted, I loved Naples! Only you can decide on what YOU want to experience -- do you want a vibrant, energetic city that does NOT depend on tourism (Naples) or a smaller, more relaxed city that relies much more heavily on tourism (Sorrento)? For the things that YOU want to see and experience, are transportation options better from one location than the other? Etc.
Sep 14th, 2015, 08:42 AM
#13
kja describes your options very well. I also really enjoyed Naples so much so that we went back a second time. Have driven the Amalfi coast many times. If you're comfortable on curvy, narrow roads with buses rounding the corner periodically, go for it. Judging from the posters on this board, many, most? prefer not to drive. I've never done the bus on the coast so can't compare.
Sep 14th, 2015, 05:55 PM
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I prefer to not drive -- I want to be able to devote every bit of my attention to the magnificent scenery, not the road! 
Oh, and you wouldn't need to join a tour -- there are buses and possibly ferries.
Oh, and you wouldn't need to join a tour -- there are buses and possibly ferries.
Sep 15th, 2015, 12:14 AM
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While you are in Matera do go and see the Crypt of Original Sin. It's very memorable and atmospheric...
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2012/...in-matera.html
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2012/...in-matera.html
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