ggreen

Thanks Peter I'm pretty sure too that it was a Flavio Gioia bus.

And I had meant to write something about being in Naples: zeppole has given you very good advice IMO.
- Driving: Of any city in Europe I have visited, Naples is one where I am very happy not to be behind the wheel. I believe you will find that sentiment repeated on these boards and elsewhere.
- Luggage: I would not rule out the likelihood of petty theft in Naples, especially if items are visible in your car, your car is clearly a rental, etc. Sad but true, Naples has a reputation for this kind of crime.
- Dinner: Keep in mind that restaurants in Naples close in the afternoon, and dinner service starts at 8pm. There may be exceptions to this "rule", but none that I experienced. If you sit for dinner at 8pm, you will be one of the first to dine - and will likely be amongst only other tourists as the locals eat even later. This will have you arriving at your hotel quite late.

I highly recommend leaving the car at the hotel on the day you go to Pompeii, especially if the hotel has a service to get you to the Circumvesuviana train, which is super-easy to get in and out of Pompeii Scavi. If you are really interested in dining in Naples, my suggestion would be to add it to your Pompeii day (with the caveat that doing so might be more energy than you will have after a day in the ruins). It would be straightforward to train from Pompeii into Naples and then back out onto the peninsula...

kat7cebu

Ggreen, that is a lovely suggestion, will definitely be an option. Thank you.

Peter, thanks for all the helpful links.

Zeppole, you're right. Thank you. We are both new to the place. Although it is great to know what is around Naples we will have to see what we can at a good relaxing pace and make sure that the travel from Naples to our hotel still have some daylight left to guide us. Safety first, of course.

After all, the best part is to enjoy just being together.

Thanks to all....

A_Brit_In_Ischia

kat - if particularly concerned about driving in the Naples traffic - or just to allow yourselves more time in the Campi Flegrei (for the amphitheatre or Solfatara for instance) - you could skip seeing the city that day, and make an outing of it... taking either a hydrofoil from Sorrento (about 30 minutes) or the Circumvesuviana railway, about an hour - or maybe do one direction with each?

No doubt you'll consider getting a proper map or road atlas nearer the time but this should do for now, although you'll probably need to zoom in to 100% to see it clearly....

http://www.unicocampania.it/files/ma..._provincia.pdf

After Cuma, Baia etc, you could take the route we've been on from Pozzuoli (the nearest car ferry port to Ischia), and use what's marked as the "Tangenziale est-ovest di Napoli" to skirt the city, taking then the Autostrada A1 and the A3 down to the turnoff for Sorrento - near Pompei....

Peter

kat7cebu

Peter, that is more tempting option as opposed to winding roads....but onyl if weather and ferry schedule permits it....have taken directions and saved to my maps should the Gods be on our side that day.

Thank you, peter and thank you all again...

frasil13

Hi, sorry for late answer, but a really unforgettable surprise could be a 30' minutes helicoper tour flying over Amalfitan coast or Pompei and Vesuvio.
You can do that by the helicopter company "HELISORRENTO":

http://www.helisorrento.com/helicopt...mpany-sorrento

kat7cebu

Thank you all. At this point I cant plan the surprise definitely due to a lot of considerations (weather & schedule). But I have as many options to choose from, thanks to you gys. Will definitely let you know how the trip goes. I am just so excited, it'll be in just 6 weeks!