Making trip plans

Driving to Sicily and only staying there two nights is too much time traveling and not enough times exploring this large and interesting island. Fly to Catania or Palermo and stay longer or save Sicily for next time.

Are you planning to take the rental car from the mainland to the island and leave it there? Before you get too far along in your planning make sure the rental car company permits that.

As advised by Suki, you really are not giving enough time to Sicily. On Day 4, I would skip Matera and Sorrento portion and fly to Sicily for 10 days. Rent the car there. Fly into Catania and out of Palermo, perhaps. Even ten days will not allow you to see the whole island.

Alternatively, skip Sicily and increase your time along the Amalfi Coast. Maybe a few nights in Sorrento as well as a few in Positano or Ravello.

Yeah, I'd choose either Matera or Sicily, and go from there. And if you choose Sicily, as Laurel said I'd wait until then to rent a car. The Freccia train from Naples to Reggio Calabria before the Straits of Messina takes only 5 hours, about the time it would take you to drive--we're looking at that trip ourselves for next year. Be advised there's a great place about halfway down the coast, on the bucket list for me--Maratea--that resides on the tiny part of Basilicata that is on the western coast. It looks positively idyllic.

Me? I'd spend 4 nights in & around the A.C., train to Sicily, then 8-9 nights there. As I said, I'm doing research now, and while we want to revisit Taormina from our first trip 8 years ago, I'm intrigued by Cefalu, on the north coast about an hour east of Palermo. Check it out.

All of your comments are very helpful. We learn with each trip that we need to try to slow dawn and take more time in a few places rather than doing so much. We are thinking that Sicily will be a separate trip. We may have a few more questions as we finalize our plans. I appreciate each of you taking the time to respond.

I assume your plane tickets are already bought. If not, fly into Naples. If they are bought train to Naples day one and spend 2 nights. 3 if you plan on seeing Pompeii from Naples on your own. Travel to Sorrento/Positano for 4 nights. One expensive option would be to hire a driver to pick you up in Naples, drive to Pompeii where your luggage would stay with the driver, visit Pompeii, then have him/her drive you to your destination be it Sorrento or Positano. Sometimes the expense is worth the convenience. From there travel to Matera for 2 nights. From Matera why not head to Puglia and spend the remaining nights? In Puglia you could visit Alberobello, Monopoli, Polignano a mare and Bari. Fly from Bari to Rome ( a night flight ) spend the night at the airport and fly home from Rome the next day. If your tickets are not purchased fly home from Bari. This is just another option.

Thank you Joyce! Your suggestions along with those from Suki, Laurel, Jay, and Joe are so helpful! Yes, we already have purchased our tickets based on travel suggestions from travel agent. Will definitely rely more on this travel forum when planning future trips. We have been to Venice, Tuscany Region, & Rome. Are intrigued by Italy’s history and culture so there will be other trips.

Joyce...you mentioned hiring a driver for Pompeii. Any recommendations for specific source for making those arrangements? I’ve only looked at small group tours based on RS 2018 Italy book. Thanks again.

No way do you need a private driver for Pompei.

Either Day 2 or 3, from Naples Centrale, take the Circumvesuviana commuter train the 30 minutes to the Pompei Scavi stop. The ruins are right there. You can choose to wander on your own or--and this is a little bit of a crapshoot but kind of fun--hire a local guide at the Scavi entrance (you can't miss 'em, they'll be hawking their services) for maybe 20 Euro for 2 hours. You might get a pig in a poke, but then again you might get someone really good. Either way you can't lose--a great story when you get home or great value.

Me? I like to do research beforehand. We were there in March 2015--a beautiful, 60 degree day--and took 4 hours on our own to see about 70% of the ruins, They're massive, and wonderful. BTW, plan on comfortable shoes, do not walk backwards (you'll trip like I did) and pace yourselves, especially if it's hot.

Then...if you have time the next day--take a taxi over to the Naples Archeological Museum. Fantastic--all the art from Pompei has been there since the 1750's.

Enjoy your planning!

I don't. When we went our travel agent booked it and I do not know who she used. I'm sure it was pricey but very convenient and for us worth it. Why not ask here or on TripAdvisor Naples forum. I'm sure there are several companies that can take you. My guess it will be more money to Positano than Sorrento.