Itinerary ( July 20-Aug 3) Feedback

Some may like spending time in Naples. But after going there, I'd rather spend 3 days elsewhere. And I'd rather fly out of Rome as Naples flights will probably take you to another gateway airport before heading across the water.

Simple solution to the problem: Reverse the circuit. Fly into Naples, including the connection, then home from Rome, arising at a civilized hour for the trip since no connection is involved.

Good suggestion. I will always have a connecting flight. However, it does look like I will have 2 connecting flights from Naples for some reason. It does seem like flights from Rome are much shorter from my part of the world.

Yes, I can think about reversing. I was only staying in Naples proper because we wanted to hit Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as stay in Naples due to our return flight home.

Thanks!

We flew Naples to Berlin to connect to our flight home, easy enough. Naples airport is very nice, it’s of food choices.

If you can fly round trip to Rome, it might involve fewer or no flight changes and be considerably less expensive than flying open jaws into Naples and out of Rome. There is frequent, affordable train service linking FCO to Naples. I visited Naples last year and cannot understand the many negative opinions of the city. To me it’s the capital of southern Italy. Easy to get to Pompeii and Herculaneum, a great Archaeological Museum with the treasures salvaged from the ancient cities, great food, warm people. Easy to day trip to Capri. Crowded, bustling, charming with a personality all it’s own.

I will have to look closer at flights and see what the best option is. There is so much to think about. It is quite overwhelming as a 1st timer to Italy. I am really trying not to overload my travel schedule. I think Naples would be worth exploring a bit.

Thanks everyone!

Some may like spending time in Naples. But after going there, I'd rather spend 3 days elsewhere.

Yup, Naples is good to visit but, better to stay elsewhere. Sorrento is popular as are some of the other coastal communities in the area.

Decide for yourself--Naples has thousands of years of history to back it up as worthy of a visit. All people are different, but if you are flying out of there, you want to see Pompeii, and you have interest in the city itself, you are on the right track.
Praiano will require more bus changes (no ferry there), but you get quiet, so again decide on your preference.

That's the second time I have seen Alpice mentioned lately--what's the deal?

Praiano will require more bus changes (no ferry there)

I was going to say the same thing. Praiano isn't a wonderful location for day tripping as you're limited to the buses. It can be nice to have at least one additional mode of transport, such as the ferries. Sorrento is a good location for Pompeii and Heculaneum as you have train service to both (and Naples) from there. It's about 30 minutes to Pompeii - same as from Naples - and abt. 50 minutes to Herculaneum. Ferries to Capri are also reasonably frequent.

Of course you could do Pompeii and Herculaneum from Naples and hit the excellent archeological museum as well: a good follow-up to visits to both excavations.

I picked Praiano because it is a little more quiet and less hectic but it sounds like not ideal for day trips. I may re-think it. I am not sure the Amalfi bus rides sound very appealing at the height of tourist season. My husband is deathly afraid of heights.

I am going to a B&B in Alpice called Villa Luisa. The family that owns it are related to my husband's cousin. My husband's cousin went last summer and said it was spectacular. I know it is fairly remote and may take longer to get there. But two nights there should suffice.

Thanks Kathy. I appreciate everyone being so helpful. I think Amalfi during high season is going to max me out on crowds, but it is what it is. I am going at the height of the season. I don't think I can give up staying in Praiano though. I like quieter places and it is so close to the Path of the Gods and other hiking. I would rather just stay there a few days and then move to Naples for a few nights to explore that area.

My husband is deathly afraid of heights.

But he's going to hike Path of the Gods? 😯

Kathy.... I have warned him and more than likely I will be going on that solo and he will happily stay at the beach. Another reason we can all be happy in Praiano. I am not even sure my kids will hike with me. We explored Mt Evan's in Colorado and that drive nearly did my entire family in :-(