Naples and Amalfy coast

Here is something to think about, if you want to do all of those trips all over the area were possibly thinking of an overnight in Capri, maybe do all your naples/pompeii/sorrento stuff first, overnight in Capri, and take the ferry to Salerno to do the sweep of Paestum on the way to your next destination.....I am not a fan of taking multiple modes of transportation going and coming back in one day (and paestum from Sorrento is either train and bus or boat and train or train and train) and I think its a good idea to do all your activities on one side of the peninsula for practicality's sake....so maybe Sorrento with Naples, Pompeii, and Herculaneum with and overnight in Capri in the middle and a morning ferry to Salerno (or any town on that side of the peninsula) to do Paestum, Vietri, Ravello, and Positano would seem like a good plan....

Irene, That sounds like a very pleasant trip and I can say that that is a good time to go - or at least it was for us. Just note that when you are looking online or on a map that Amalfi ends with an "i", and Paestum has no "r".

Thank you both for your replies!

There is a lot to do in the area and you should not be bored. Instead of so many long day trips, I would move around a bit more and stay in Naples, Sorrento, and perhaps Amalfi or Minori or Maiori to be closer to the southern end and to visit Paestum. The ferries do run in April, but fewer trips daily. Capri overnight is very nice, very quiet, and would increase your chance of visiting the Blue Grotto as the sea is calmer in the morning.

Rachele, thanks! I will probably stay in Sorrento first 5 nights, then go to Capri for 1-2 nights, and from there will take a ferry to Amalfi (if there is one, if not will track back to Sorrento and take a bus to Amalfi), stay in Amalfi for 1-2 nights and will visit Paestum from there and then back to Naples for the last 2 nights.
Should I take a train from Salerno to Naples?

The train from Salerno to Naples is only 30 minutes versus a couple of hours by bus along the coast, although it is the most beautiful relaxing bus ride I've never tired of taking. I do wonder what you are going to do in Sorrento for five nights, however.

Rachel,
From Sorrento I will take day trips to Pompeii, Herculanium, Vesuvius (3 days), then 1 day for Sorrento, and the first day is the arrival so I will not plan anything.

Personally I think that 13 days in the area would be a bit much. If that were my trip I would make it a week max. If it were summer maybe I could justify staying longer to enjoy relaxing at the beaches, but April is kind of hit or miss with the weather. But that is strictly my opinion. I don't know if you've been to everywhere else in Italy before, but if you cut that area down a few days you could stay a few days in the Rome area and make Rome your departure and/or arrival airport. Flying to Naples has limitations. Among the major airlines that fly to Boston only Alitalia and AirFrance (both partners with SkyTeam) fly to Naples (from Rome and Paris respectively). Lufthansa also flies from Naples to Frankfurt but in summer only. Most of Naples flights are European low cost. Another option is to venture further south and visit some other areas for a few days. Apulia and Matera come to mind. Sicily may be too much (and too far) to add for just a few days.

Roberto, thank you for your reply! I started to wonder also if I should go to Rome at the end of my trip. I was there before twice, however would go back again, especially now that the lower Colliseum level is opened. There is a flight from Boston to Naples through Dublin, it looks good, and Aer Lingus has a flight out of Rome to Boston as well. ( through Dublin). I think I'll get to Naples aeroport- direct bus to Sorrento, stay there 5 nights and do day trips, then take a ferry to Capri for 2 nights, from there to Naples for 2 nights, then a train to Rome for 3 nights and fly home from there.
Does it look better?

Looks good, if returning to Rome is what you want. Below is a list of things to visit in the Naples area, in case you run out of ideas: Naples (beautiful city) Islands of the Gulf of Naples: Capri, Ischia, Procida. Caserta (Reggia di Caserta,Caserta Vecchia,San Lucio), Campi Flegrei(Pozzuoli), Pompéii, Herculanum, The Vesuvius, Vico Equense & Monte Faito, Sorrento & surroundings (Massa Lubrense, fiordo di Crapolla,Sant'Agata sui due golfi), Costa Amalfitana (Positano,Furore,Amalfi,Grotte dello Smeraldo,Atrani,Ravello,Cava de Tirreni), Paestum, Agropoli, Parco Nazionale del Cilento and its grottoes Felitto, Palinuro, Oasi del Monte Accellica. Well. 13 days may not be that much after all. There are also lots of things to see outside Rome:
Ostia Antica, the Castelli Romani (Roman Castles), Hadrian Villa at Tivoli, Orvieto etc.

Thank you! Looks like there is no way I'll ever get bored...

We've stayed in Sorrento 3 times for a week each time and wished we could have stayed longer. We are always sad to leave. 5 nights is not too much at all. It's our favorite place in Italy.

Irene - While you are in Sorrento, be sure to dine at il Giardiniello which is a wonderful restaurant and Franco will take good care of you!