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Couples First Trip - feedback/advice requested

Posted by (Baltimore ) on

Planning this trip 9/7 thru 9/17/25, it is my first European trip so I would love feedback. We are two more laidback travelers, into food and relaxation most of all rather than seeing every site to see.

Fly into Naples from IAD
o Spend day/night in Naples vs go directly to Sorrento/Ischia depending on time of flight (current option would arrive around 6PM)
 Ferry to Ischia ~25 euros/pp – will purchase online before leaving
 Train to Sorrento $10 – reportedly gets crowded, but takes 1.5ish hours to get to Sorrento

  • Day 2 ferry from Naples to Ischia
    o Visit the castle/gardens
    o Rent a vespa?
    o Take a boat tour
    o Beach club
    o Hotel ideas:
     Hotel Casa Di Meglio (3 star) – good reviews, and repeat stays on reddit. In a more quiet/relaxed area of the island but still able to get around
     Hotel San Lorenzo Thermal Spa (4 star) – recommended on travel sites, but google reviews cite some issues with service
     Punta Charito Resort (4 star) – views look incredible, again less of a party area but different part of the island. Shuttle to bus stops for free, private beach.
    o Explore/relax for 2-3 days
     Volcanic hot springs/spa

  • Day 5 ferry from Ischia to Amalfi then bus to Maoiri
    o Check into accomodations
     Reginna Palace
     Hotel Pensione Reale
     Lots of rentable apartments
    o Things to do: Path of Lemons, day trips to bigger AC towns (Ravello, Amalfi, Sorrento, etc), beach club, shopping in Sorrento
    o

  • These could also be reversed – as I am finding the ferry from Ischia to Amalfi stops in midseptember (sched for next year not up yet, just based on my reading), Naples to Sorrento then Sorrento to Maoiri first then would need to go likely back to Sorrento and ferry to Ischia, but could directly ferry from Ischia back to Naples and spend the last night there

Alternative:
- Day 1 Flight to Naples
o Cirumvasuviana from Naples to Sorrento w/ stop in Pompeii to see Vesuvius
 Wine/lunch tours available
o Set up shop in Sorrento for 2-3 days
 More of a city, some people don’t like it as much and think there isn’t much to do but say it is a good home base location for taking day trips to other places bc transportation is good here
 Take a cooking class, Capri boat tour + blue grotto,
o Sorrento is a good location to do day trips from
- Ferry/bus from Sorrento to Maoiri for a change to beach scenery
- Train back to Naples for last night to catch flight the next day

Posted by
5629 posts

Just a few initial thoughts-we were in the area May, 2023.
Plan on staying in Naples the first night. You may get in late from a delayed flight, the ferries may not be running due to a storm, etc.
Trains from Naples to Sorrento often runs late as the day goes on. You don't need that frustration, and you might be standing the whole way. Also, often it takes much longer than you proposed, due to the poor infrastructure. And- you need to be alert regarding pickpockets.
Take a gelato making class at David's Gelato in Sorrento.
The roads are very tight, curvey, on steep hillsides, and thus somewhat dangerous. I wouldn't recommend a Vespa.
Many folks here recommend Salerno as an AC base, less crowded, and has access to good train routes.
I liked Sorrento, it's not on the AC, but a few days here to access pompeii and immediate surroundings can work out nicely.
We used Aldo Limos for airport transportation from Sorrento. They were very dependable and prompt. I highly recommend them.
You are wisely doing your research early. Sorry I don't know the hotels you listed. Enjoy planning and I'm sure you'll receive helpful input here.
Safe travels.

Posted by
3 posts

@Pat,

Thank you for your thoughts, they are very helpful!! I am a bit high-strung when it comes to timing, so staying in Naples on arrival sounds like the smartest move :)

We would love to take a gelato making class, that sounds so fun! I appreciate the advice, I'm trying to balance planning enough versus over planning every second!

Posted by
5629 posts

Just note that moving about in the areas south of Naples is time consuming and inefficient. There's no way around that, as the infrastructure has so sadly been neglected. Everything takes longer than expected. Once you accept the realities on the ground, and plan for it, you'll have an incredible trip!

Posted by
11893 posts

Rent a vespa?

Only if you are ( well ) EXPERIENCED with such vehicles.

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