We'll be on the Venice-Florence-Rome tour in early May.
After two extra nights in Rome, we plan to stay in
Pompeii for three nights with a Herculaneum side trip. Next stop will be Ischia for three nights. Is Pompeii
a bad choice as "base camp" for the various ruins and a
same-day connection with a ferry?
Posted by
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
536 posts
Tom - Being italian I would have to say that Amalfi or Sorrento would be a much nicer choice for three days as a base of operations. From Sorrento you can be in Positano, Amalfi, or Pompeii in a very short time and Sorrento has so much to offer.
Ciao, Greg
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
"Is Pompeii a bad choice as "base camp" for the various ruins and a same-day connection with a ferry?"
Answer: Yes.
Posted by
Los Angeles, CA, USA
1449 posts
one more vote for Sorrento.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
Tom
In May you should be able to use the direct Sorrento to Ischia ferry service, we have in the past. It leaves Sorrento at about 9.40 am. Check nearer the date for service details, the winter timetables are in operation at the moment.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32331 posts
Tom,
I'd also suggest Sorrento as the best location to use as a "home base" in that area. It's very easy to get to either Pompeii or Herculaneum from there, and the town is wonderful! Check the Guidebooks or TripAdvisor for Hotel listings.
If you have the time (and budget) for an excellent meal in Sorrento, you might try L'Antica Trattoria. The food and service are both outstanding (albeit not cheap - I believe Rick lists it as a "splurge").
Happy travels!
Posted by
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
430 posts
Ditto that -- base in Sorento.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Pompei might be a good base logistically, but the town itself isn't very interesting for tourists. Like the others, I think you'd enjoy Sorrento much more as a base. Travel from Sorrento to the sights is easy and inexpensive on the frequent Circumvesuviana trains.
Posted by
Ft Worth, TX, USA
39 posts
Another Sorrento vote, beautiful place.
Train is easy to Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Posted by
Calitri, Avellino, Italy (& US - where I live the majority of the time)
223 posts
Salerno or Sorrento - the town of Pompei is fine...but really not charming.
Posted by
Clarkston, USA
192 posts
We spent a day in Pompeii 4 years ago.
Unfortunately, our time was very limited and we had no choice about that.
If you can, take a guided tour of Pompeii--would be much better than roaming around on your own.
Also, most of the goodies they found there are in a museum in Naples--try to see that if you can. We were unable to do so and I'm still just sick about missing it.
And beware of the Naples train station...filthy, scary, full of thieves. They broadcasted a message, in 5 different languages, every few minutes, about being wary and careful with your belongings.