September 5-11 my 19yr old niece, husband and I are going to Italy for the first time. Rome and Amalfi are their top picks so our itinerary is currently 3 nights in Rome and 3 nights in Sorrento. My question is about our Sorrento itinerary. What I currently have is
9/8 depart Rome by train to Naples in the am. Drop bags in Naples station lockers and do a 2 hour Food tour in Naples and maybe archeology museum. Ferry or train to Sorrento that afternoon, Or we could just skip Naples and go straight to Pompeii with our bags and from there go to Sorrento. Check in for our Airbnb in Marina Grande isn’t until after 3pm.
9/9 Amalfi Coast boat tour from Sorrento with stops in Positano and Amalfi
9/10 ferry to Ischia and/or Procida for the day. Hot springs lunch shopping Vespas etc
9/11 depart Sorrento by private transfer to Naples for 645 am flight
Should I just stay in Naples instead of Sorrento bc of that early return flight? Two nights in Sorrento and 1 in Naples seems like it would just cost time with the check ins/outs. Private shuttle at 3am to catch our early flight is $200.
Or Should I switch it? and arrive in Naples on 9/9, check our luggage and ferry to ischia for the day, come back on the latest ferry and then head into Sorrento for two nights, and then on 9/10 we go to Pompeii then onto to Naples for the night before our flight?
Is it reasonable to do a stop in Pompeii on 9/8 on the way to Sorrento as well?
Can I see Ischia and Procida in one day? For example 2-3 hours in Procida and 5-6 hours in Ischia.
Private boat tours that combine Procida and Ischia are pretty pricy at 200 a person so thought it would be more cost effective to take the first/last ferry and give us more time on the islands.
I’m trying to maximize our travel time and and do a mix of cultural excursions and exploring but being mindful of costs and leaving room for relaxing. Any opinions are appreciated! Trying to hit Naples pizza, Pompeii, ischia/Procida, and Amalfi boat tour all in three days within our transfers.