This April, my wife and I will be going back to Italy. While I have been there many times, it will be our (her) first time to truly go south.

We basically have just over a week and her only requirement is to see Pompeii although Positano would be an added bonus thanks to her love of "Under the Tuscan Sun."

I'm thinking a south to north path. We land in Roma so I'm thinking we catch a connection flight on our arrival day to Palermo and then work our way back north to Roma where we leave from 10 days later. We've both been to Roma many times so there isn't a need to spend time there other than being in the vacinity of the airport for our departure.

We usually vary our international trips between spending a lot of time in one place versus seeing a lot in a short amount of time. This one will be one of the later with us probably spending no more than 2-3 nights in each of 2-3 locations.

If you had this itinerary to put together, what would be your "must sees" for Southern Italy?

Hi M,

>what would be your "must sees" for Southern Italy?... her only requirement is to see Pompeii...<

Paestum, Amalfi, Positano, Capri, Naples, Pompeii, Caserta, Mt Vesuvius, Herculaneum.

You can see it all if you fly in/out of Naples and stay in Positano or Praiano.

With 10 days I would not try to do Sicily AND Campania. I would either spend all the time in Sicily, or else spend it as Ira outlines. You could also include parts of Puglia if you don't need lots of relaxation on the Amalfi Coast.

I agree with ekscrunchy - for your time frame, I think you should choose EITHER Sicily OR Campania. And if your only requirement is Pompeii, then Campania it is! Ira's list of places could easily fill your 10 days. Hope that helps!

do not understand your comment of positano and reference to under the tuscan sun. that novel was about an area in tuscany set in a town called cortona??????

Ah yes, but fabulous scenes in Positano with her lover boy as well.

I agree---Sicily is worth 2 weeks and even western Sicily with Palermo demands 6 days. Ten days is perfect for the greater Naples, Capri, Amalfi coast area, but I would stay in 2 base locations and may even suggest an apartment.

Thanks bobthenavigator... at least someone understood why my wife would want to visit Positano (and possibly ride up the hill with the mailman)!

Do you have any apartments in the Campania region that you've had experience with that you would suggest?

I'm going to that area for the first time in July so am interested in the answers you get, but I have to say that it's obvious that petertherabbit hasn't seen that movie!

I have 2 suggestions:
www.summerinitaly.com

And, go to www.onelittleworld.com amd find their Campania trip report. That is my son and his family---great pics too.

They are talking about the movie...not the book (I was confused for a moment as well!)

Capri is BEAUTIFUL in April...I would put it on my list as well as Positano and Amalfi...Positano will still be fairly quiet in April (although last April there was an animated film festival going on that filled the place up a little bit) Amalfi will be a bit more lively...Ravello, although beautiful, is usually very, very quiet still in April

Aside from the coast ;-) and the obvious (Pompeii, Naples, etc.) I would NOT miss seeing the Greek Temples at Paestum - REALLY worth the stop I think.

Lots of very off-the-beaten path sights if you head inland...but may be more time then you have to spend...The Frederick II castels are very impressive (I think anyway) - Melfi (in Basilicata), Lagopesole, Castel del Monte (in Puglia. Matera and the "Sassi" cave dwelings is REALLY interesting (if you are in the area that is)...

lots of great food and wine ;-) check out Carla Capalbo's book "The Food and Wine Guide of Naples and Campania" if you haven't already

hmmm...what else...

The Palace at Caserta is very impressive....Herculaneum if you have the time...

happy to answer any other specifics.
Nicolle

Why not stay to the south of everyone in Agropoli or Cilento (southern Campania, from Agropoli south to the Basilicata border) area instead? The beach communities of Cilento probably will not yet be overrun with beachgoers, and there are good logistical connections to everywhere -- FS train to Pompeii (40 min) or Naples (60 min), Metro del Mare ferry to Positano, Sorrento, Capri, etc.

To stay in the coastal parts of Cilento would require a rental car, but there are also inland portions that are served by the main Salerno-Reggio Calabria rail line. Speaking about Calabria, if you're interested in Cilento, fly into Lamezia Terme in Calabria and then work your way north from there?

Lots of great suggestions... thanks to all of you.

I'm now leaning towards basing in Praiano and focusing on Campania, renting a car and doing day trips around the area. Your comments or thoughts on my current thinking?

Also, has anyone stayed in the Hotel Casa Angelina in Praiano? If not, any other suggestions of a 3 or 4 star hotel in the area?

Grazie!

As a follow-up to my last post - bobthenavigator - I found an apartment on www.summerinitaly.com that we're looking into. Thanks for the great suggestion.

Since they basically rent Saturday-Saturday, I'm looking for a hotel for the one night we need that falls outside of that based on our dates.

Also as a follow-up - has anyone driven in and around Praiano? The apartment we found has a parking space but another friend told me that driving in and out of the towns in the area is time consuming. Not sure what she meant by that from her experience but if any of you have experience, I'd like to hear about it.

Is a car worth it or between buses and trains, can we move around and a see a lot?

Hi, MichaelT
I have a wonderful hotel on the Amalfi Coast that I'd happily pass on to you.
Email me [email protected]
and I'll send you the info. I'd post it but don't have it at my fingertips but can locate it tomorrow.
Adrienne

We stayed a week in Sorrento in April and had a car to do day trips to Herculaneum, Mt. Vesuvius, and places on the Amalfi coast. Your friend was correct about driving in and out of the towns - tour buses slow things down, even in April. Many of the towns have one congested main street that really becomes congested when a bus decides to unload or turn a corner.
Capri was beautiful in April - great for hiking in the hills. We ran out of time before we got down to Paestum, but plan to see the temples on our next visit.

I wouldnt base on the Amalfi Coast if you want to do day car trips out of the general area. Once the boats start running its probably another matter but getting around the coast or over the mountains is both tiring and time consuming. Its a great place to stay for a few days, though, so splitting with another destination could make sense.