Naples, Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

The three main reasons to go to Naples is to: see the good stuff taken from Pompeii, now housed at The National Archeological Museum, one of the great museums of the world; eat pizza at the very first (and still the best) pizza joint in the world, and, to catch a flight home or train. If you have time you can walk around the market near your hotel, and take a stroll through the Spaccanapoli area.

I would spend the night either on the way in or out and my wife and I really liked the Starhotels Terminus is in central Naples, across from the main railway station and minutes from the historical center and seaside promenade.
http://www.starhotels.com/naples-hotel/

Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano are all good choices and in three days you can move around and spend the night in a different places every night if you wanted. It is not hard to get around. You can see details of our trip and pictures at: http://gadtravel.blogspot.com/

Mark told you all the good things to do in Naples. I would add, however, that I have lost track of how many times I've been to Europe - - 10 to Italy, alone, and Naples is the one place I absolutely hated. Depends on your mother's personality, but I don't think Naples is a good choice for an introduction to Italy. Incidentally, don't miss Ravello on the Amalfi coast. PM me if you want some restaurant recommendations.

My husband and just left Amalfi coast, our first trip to Italy for 40th wedding anniversary. I agree with Mark and can't think of any reason to stay in Naples. Unless your flight gets in Naples in the evening, I'd head out.

Positano is nice but quite pricy. Sorrento is within one hour of Naples and less expensive, both room and food.

Please dont stay in Naples. We did for one night and hated it there. Naples is good because it is a gateway to many good cities, but it is a busy, scarey, dirty city. I would recommend maybe spending a day there but that is it. The Archeological Museum and the chapel with the veiled cHRIST THAT rICK TALKS ABOUT IN HIS GUidebook was nice. Also, the pizza at the Pizzeria Michele that Rick talks about was the best i've ever had. If I went back to that area, i'd stay in Sorrento. Its the bigger out of the amalfi coast cities. Plenty to do there. From there, you can get to Naples, Pompeii, Capri, Amalfi, Positano (my favorite city, but it is small). We stayed in Capri for 2 nights and that was really nice, but I wouldn't suggest using it as a gateway to the other cities that I discussed because you have to take a ferry back and forth that wasn't super cheap and the times do not run super late either.

I'd suggest staying in Sorrento. Naples can make for an interesting visit, but is better as a day trip for most tourists. Does your mom even want to go to Naples, is she interested in touring the Amalfi coast, does she want to go to Pompeii?

Nix on Naples. Travel by car? Am devoted to the Palumbo in Ravello. It used to be pricey but my guess is that they have become more reasonable. You cimb up the side of the Valley of thr Dragon (hairpin turns) and have a view of the Bar of Salerno. It is served by a bus, but I don't know the details. Cumpa Cosimo is a tiny restaurant on the same level as the piazza. It is run by Netta Bottone who runs the butcher shop next to it. She says she sleeps in the winter. ===gm===

Hi Maria - I was just in Italy in May and stayed in Sorrento and loved it because it was so easy to travel to many of the other spots we wanted to visit. It's very easy to get to Pompeii, Capri, and to take the bus to the towns along the Amalfi Coast. We stayed at [email protected] . It says it's a Hostel but (just like Rick Steves states in his book) is more like a 4 star hotel. It was one of the nicest places we stayed in Italy our entire trip. Check it out.

I didn't go to Naples so I can't really give good advice on it...all I know though is it is not the cleanest city. I would suggest staying in Sorrento instead. It was beautiful there plus easy to get to. The best restaurant I ever ate at (in my entire life) was in Sorrento. It is called Ristorante Delfino...they get fresh seafood every day and have probably the kindest people running the place. It's right on the Marina Grande on the far left.

Have a wonderful time and if you want any other suggestions feel free to contact me. Happy Travels!

Totally loved Naples. More soul and zip than most places have in a month of Sundays.