I am heading to a destination wedding in Ravello in early July for 3 days. We are going to extend our trip and make stops in Rome for 4 days, Florence 2 days, and finish in Venice 2 days, with days trips to Pompeii and to Pisa/Siena/Chianti. Our travel agent suggested 2 nights in Positano. I was looking for input as to whether it was worth staying in Positano, since I would presume Ravello is similar, or if would be better to add an extra day in Florence or Venice. Also, it was suggested a boat tour to Capri. There seems to be too much to do and so little time. We will not have our own car and they are setting up transportation for us. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11852 posts
Your instincts are great. Has your travel agent even been to the area? Often they have not....
I like to count nights not days. It gives me a better idea not only of where I am sleeping for how long, but how many FULL days I have for enjoying the city/location. So are you three nights in Ravello or 4? Ditto Rome and so on. I would recommend 4 nights Rome, 3 nights Florence, 3 nights Venice, and those are the minimums. That combo gives you 3 full days in Roma, 2 full days each in Florence and Venice. All doable by train, BTW. If you have more nights, add them to these three stops and don't be tempted to add on too many locations. Every time you change locations you lose at least 1/2 a day.
You can see Pompeii on the way to Rome from Ravello. Leave early. You can either take the bus to Amalfi and on to Salerno then catch the train to Pompei. You will arrive about a mile from the Pompeii ruins in the modern town of Pompei and can take a taxi or walk to the scavi where you can check your luggage. OR you can take a bus to Amalfi and on to Sorrento, then the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii, arriving right by the scavi. Not sure which is faster. You'd have to research. Spend 2-3 hours at Pompeii then go on to Rome taking the Circumvesuviana to Naples and the high-speed train to Rome.
A boat trip to Capri can be nice, but IMO it is not a "must-do." It is very crowded and expensive.
You can make all of your own transportation arrangements. You do not need a travel agent. If you do not have Rick Steves' guide for Italy, get it and read it ASAP. Come back here with specific questions if we can help you figure out trains and buses as well as lodging.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Great advice from Laurel, as always.
Transportation in the south is not as "easy" in the north, and Ravello and Positano are good examples of that. Neither are served by rail lines, so Bus or rental car are the usual options.
Once the wedding is finished, I'd suggest focusing on Rome, Florence and Venice. You might consider spending more time in Florence, as it's a great "home base" location for visiting other locations in Tuscany such as "Pisa/Siena/Chianti" that you mentioned. With such a short time frame, I wouldn't bother with Capri or Positano this time.
Posted by
Austin TX after living in Boulder CO for 25 years
1175 posts
I love the Amalfi Coast, but if you are in Ravello for 3 days for the wedding celebration, you may have a chance to take the bus down into Amalfi, and up to Positano for a stroll and a look-see. And you save your remaining days for your other cities. Ravello is, however, breathtakingly beautiful…..you may not wish to leave !