Celebrating my 60th Birthday on the 4th of July and we are flying to Italy from Germany for 5 days. Our time is extremely valuable so we don't shy away from paying more to save time. This will be my third trip to Italy having visited all the major cities and sites above Pompeii We need some relaxing but I am big on history and like to see things. I also like to see Pompeii and maybe Capri. We have always rented a car in Italy and never had issues or tickets. Where should we fly into? Any tips on daily trips and sights? I like to rent an apartment my husband likes hotels so we usually end up with an bed and breakfast. We could ad a day as we have a few days back in Germany to spare. We are both good with walking for sure. Thank you for any input.
Posted by
Reno, Nevada
1025 posts
You indicate you are flying from Germany to Italy. If you are looking to explore the South, you may want to fly into Naples directly. You can take a train to Salerno and proceed to Amalfi and the coast by bus or private driver.
In the alternative, you can rent a car after landing, but understand that the hassle of a car on the Amalfi Coast is considerable. Parking is horrible and the road is narrow and windy. Suggest a bus or car service if you want to travel the coast. Don't even think of trying to drive in Naples. The entire city is one big ZTL zone, and you will earn many tickets for driving in there.
Capri is accessible from Sorrento, Naples, Positano, and other towns, depending upon the ferry schedule. Again the problem is the car, which will be costly to park while you float to Capri. I am a big fan of Sorrento, which is a good place to use as a base, particularly due to its proximity to Pompeii by way of the Circumvesuviano train. That allows for you to do your exploring, and then return back to a pleasant hotel and dinner in lovely surroundings. Ferries will carry you to the Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno areas, as well as to Capri.
Posted by
5174 posts
Fly to Naples, ferry to Capri for a few days, then back to Naples for history fix and Pompeii, fly back to Germany. Or, fly to Naples and take train to Sorrento for the entirety if you'd rather do day trips from one base. It will be h-o-t, so try to get to Pompeii as early as possible, with sun hat and water.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16168 posts
Born on the 4th of July? Are you Ron Kovic of the movie with Tom Cruise?
If you can, look for a flight to Naples (NAP). Lufthansa flies to NAP from both Munich and Frankfurt. Eurowings flies there from Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Cologne.
A car is not needed for that area. I would base myself in Sorrento. From there you can visit Pompeii, Naples, Herculaneum (by train), Capri (by boat), Amalfi coast (by bus).
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7987 posts
This area books up heavily for most of the year. I would not buy a plane ticket until you have a firm, guaranteed room. You will need at least five hotels on your list before you start booking. You do not want a car on the Amalfi Coast, and not even in Sorrento. Air conditioning is essential.
Every night as we walked from our nice cliffside Sorrento hotel to dinner downtown, we saw dozens of cars lined up, waiting to enter the underground parking lot, far on our side of town. Very footlose, fancy free, high on a full tank and a clean windshield ... ...
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-7-nights-itinerary-help
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/herculaneum-and-pompeii-questions
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-for-5-days-where-to-set-base-from
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/one-week-on-the-amalfi-coast
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/amalfi-coast-day-trip
Posted by
OP
Fulda Germany and Rhode Island USA
334 posts
Thanks for all the great input. Does anyone have info on a private driver ? I am looking to go back to be in Montepulciano for the entire day of the 4th. A third visit to our favorite vineyard and a cooking class. Plus we would need a hotel or something in Sorrento or around if anyone has a tip.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16660 posts
I am looking to go back to be in Montepulciano for the entire day of
the 4th.
Susanne, what you'd originally posted makes it sound like you're heading to the Amalfi Coast directly from Germany. Where does Montepulciano fit into your itinerary? Before or after the coast? Where from there? It might be helpful if you would be willing to share your complete travel plan?
For an entire day in Montepulciano, you will need two nights there. It's not a day trip from the coast as it's much too far away. We've some confusion about where to/from you want a driver?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7987 posts
Does anyone have info on a private driver ? I am looking to go back to be in Montepulciano for the entire day of the 4th
A private driver from Sorrento to Montepulciano, or a private driver for a day on the Amalfi Coast, from Sorrento?
Capri is also a very long single-day event from Sorrento. There is a limit to how much money you can spend to save time. The limit is that money can't actually create ... time.
Since you have lived internationally, you must know that Russian Hackers will not track you down if you post your full itinerary. Have you considered CT instead of Sorrento? The lake district? There are many high-end luxury resorts in Tuscany for "some relaxing".