My husband would like to celebrate our 50th anniversary, which is unfortunately in August, in Rome. I'm not crazy about the idea since I'm not fond of Rome and hate the heat. However, I would go along with the idea if we could include a few days in Positano. Is this even doable? How do we get from Rome to Positano? Need help from the knowledgeable Fodorites.

OPTION 1:
Take the train to Naples, then a local train to Sorrento and then a bus to Positano - that is the slow and painful way (especially in August).

OPTION 2:
As per option 1 but get a private car service to pick you up at Naples and drive you the 1.5 hours to Positano (cost = 120 euro).

OPTION 3:
Private car service from Rome (cost 450 euro)

OPTION 4:
As per Option 1 but instead of bus from Sorrento to Positano, take a ferry - however - there are only two services from Sorrento to Positano per day.

You can either hire a driver, take the Marozzi bus (Rome Tiburtina station to Positano) or take a train from Rome to Naples, switch to the local train Naples to Sorrento and then bus or taxi on to Positano.

Thanks for the help. If you were going to do this, would you go start in Rome (3-4 days) and then go to Positano or vice versa? We live in NY so flying round trip JFK. If Positano last, would we fly back from Naples?

It is easy to get from Rome to Positano. Take the train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale. Arrange in advance for www.transferelax.com to pick you up from the Naples train station and drive you to your hotel in Positano. Or the same thing can be done in reverse. We were there last year at this time and this is what we did. Worked out fine. This is the way to go.

"Is this even doable?"
Although you have not stated how many days you have total, based on "3-4 days in Rome" plus "a few days in Positano", I guess that you have about one week total starting from JFK?

Whether "start in Rome or vice versa" depends on how you want to configure your flights, but if you actually looked at flight options, it probably favors Positano first then Rome.

JFK-FCO, Rome, Positano, FCO-JFK is risky as you don't want to be so far away on the day you fly home. At minimum, it has to be JFK-FCO, Rome, Positano, <b>Rome</b>, FCO-JFK. However, if you do this, you stay in Rome twice. This is inefficient use of your one week. This is a ho hum itinerary.

JFK-FCO, Rome, Positano, NAP-JFK is possible. However, this causes your return form NAP to be a morning or noon departure with change somewhere CDG and at least 12 hour flight. You leave Positano early or super early. This is a so so plan depending on how early you have to leave Positano.

JFK-FCO, Positano, Rome, FCO-JFK will allow you to do direct flights. You have to make your way from FCO to Positano. There are several ways as noted above. This simplifies flight portion at expense of ground portion.

JFK-NAP, Positano, Rome, FCO-JFK is another option. JFK-NAP requires layover somewhere, probably FCO or CDG. This route simplifies the ground logistics upon arrival.

Thank you letsgeaux and Greg. Happy to hear from someone who's done it. Greg, thanks especially for the itinerariy suggestions. Lots to think about. We have at least 8 days and may stretch it to 9 to account for the travel times.

There are very few decent non-stops from Naples, so you would be flying home from FCO.

I have done this exact trip many times, and always opt to go to Positano first, even though it makes for a long travel day.

I would rather recover from jet lag in a beautiful place than hectic Rome, even though I happen to love Rome.

Whatever you do, keep in mind that August is vacation time for almost all of Europe, so it will be crowded and broiling hot most places. Try to time your sightseeing for early morning, late afternoon.

And definitely check online reviews about hotels to make sure that they have decent AC!

Another option for getting from Rome to Positano (or vice versa) is the direct train from Rome to Salerno, then ferry from Salerno to Positano. A fabulous way to see the Amalfi Coast.

OK, time for a dumb question: Just because your anniv is in August, why is it necessary to celebrate it with a trip in August? Is it really not possible to have a nice dinner on your anniv date and then celebrate with a trip a month or later?

From what you've said, you're probably going to be miserable in Rome in August. Plus, September is a nice time of year in Positano, IME.

Good advice from Vicenzo

I was thinking what ekc said as a great alternative.

Thanks T. That is always how I get to Pos if I have to fly into FCO.

Do you have to go into Rome to take the train to Salerno? How often does the ferry run?

If you are flying into FCO, you take the Leonardo Express train or a cab to Termini Station, then catch the Trenitalia train to Salerno. You can also take the Italo train from the other main station in Rome to Salerno.

Check here for ferry schedules: www.coopsantandrea.com Note that there is a gap in the ferry schedules, between the 11:40 ferry and the 2:10 ferry.