My friend and I arrive in Rome at 7:20am on Saturday Nov 21 (arriving on a direct flight from NYC) and depart Rome at 10:30am on Nov 29. I have been to Rome (5 years ago) by my friend has not. Our main reason for going is to visit my brother who is studying abroad in Rome (and will have classes during the week) and my dad will be joining us as well (not arriving until Sun 11/22). Are there any must see day trips from Rome that people suggest for us? We also are interested in going to Pompeii and know that we could as a day trip, but is it worth spending a night in Naples? We then could spend time in Naples, visit Pompeii, hike Vesuvius, go to Capri, visit Caserta Palace, and/or go to Sorrento? (Obviously, not necessarily all of those). Are any of these definite skips or must-sees? Is the archaeology museum in Naples recommended? Would it be possible/recommended to go straight to Naples when we land in Rome? (I'm slightly against this since my brother will not have classes Sat or Sunday so that would be the best time to spend with him in Rome -- he was just in Naples and Pompeii.) I would prefer to change hotels as few times as possible, hence the straight-to-Naples idea. I also don't know if Capri and the Amalfi Coast will be worth it in late November. We are also open to renting a car if it's suggested (although, bear in mind, we both live in Manhattan and basically never drive).

I know that there is probably a lot of information out there and on this board, but we both are very very busy and sadly don't have a lot of time to spend researching, which I usually love, but want to book at least our hotels asap.

Thanks!

I would spend the arrival weekend in Rome with your brother since your dad doesn't arrive until the next day (assuming he is going to Pompeii with you. Maybe two days Rome, three days Pompeii area and last few days in Rome. I've done a short overnight to the coast from Rome and arranged for my hotel in Rome (I was returning to the same hotel)to store my luggage and only took a backpack for the trip to the coast.

Consider as an alternative to Pompeii or as another day trip Ostia Antica nearer to Rome. http://www.ostia-antica.org/ or http://www.itnw.roma.it/ostia/scavi/ or http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/desti...taly/ostia.htm

Last year we did Naples for a day after a day in Pompeii. Seeing the treasures in the museum in Naples after seeing the context of where they came from made them more meaningful to us. But it would probably also work the other way, see the treasures and then appreciate more when you are there what Pompeii must have really been like.

I think unless you found it was a glorious weather day that Sorrento or Capri wouldn't be at their best. (We also went around the coast to Positano in the rain on the same trip -- late March last year -- and while I am sure it is spectacular on the right day, it didn't really do it for us in those circumstances.)

Pompeii is great any time of year - as is the archeological museum in Naples.

In late Nov Capri and the Amalfi coast will be partially shut down (hotels and restaurants) and if the water is rough the ferries may run on a reduced schedule or not at all. To me, a beach resort off season doesn;t offer a whole lot to do.

I would stay in Rome to see your B and either do Pompeii as a long day trip (but remember the days are short) or do an overnight in Naples or Sorrento (wherever you can get a good deal). We always drive once out of major cities, but if that makes sense depends on how long you want the car for and how many will be using it.

". . . is it worth spending a night in Naples?" I'm a fan of Naples (not everyone is) and found 2 days there insufficient.

"Is the archaeology museum in Naples recommended?" Absolutely!

I think you could do this either way.

1) Head straight to Naples and stay 2 nights - you'll have all the evenings in Rome w/ your brother (what time do his classes end?)

2) Do the Naples/Pompeii trip, 2 nights, in the middle of the week (it's not <i>ideal</i> but having 3 hotels instead of 2 is not THAT big a deal). This gives all Sat. and Sunday to spend w/ your brother.

Both options are perfectly reasonable and not that logistically challenging.

I would skip Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi coast that time of year - plus your trip isn't that long.

I also want to recommend this Naples hotel if you go that route. The absolute best possible location, gorgeous rooms, smack in the middle of the ancient city centre, and only €99 (low season). http://www.decumani.it/en/