My wife, child and I are taking a 7 day Med. Cruise from Rome in July 2018 and I was thinking of flying into Naples (1 stop, 13 hrs.) from JFK. I thought we might stay 1 day in Naples, then travel (suggestions appreciated) to Sorrento, stay a few days (2 or 3) and use it as our base from which we would visit Pompeii and Capri. Travel ( again...) to Rome, along the Amalfi Coast, where we would spend 2
days before getting on the cruise ship, which will end in Bacelona, Spain. Dose this seem prudent? Or, would we be better off getting a direct flight into Rome and travel* round trip to Naples etc.?
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7440 posts
For our trip in 2012 (which didn't include a cruise), we had a week in Rome, but then headed south and stayed in Sorrento. We visited Naples for a day from Sorrento by train, but we also had a rental car, and used it to drive the Amalfi Coast, and to get to Pompeii, as well as the fantastic Herculaneum (Ercolano) ruins nearby, which were buried in the same volcanic eruption. If you were flying into Naples, you might be able to see the museum and whatever other sights in Naples that day, then either take a train or a rental car (or a shuttle bus?) to Sorrento.
Posted by
Washington DC
27212 posts
I wouldn't expect to see a museum on my arrival day after a transatlantic flight. Walking around outdoors, yes.
Keep in mind that a day when you switch hotels definitely doesn't leave a full day of sightseeing time. I figure anything I accomplish on such a day is a bonus. Capri is a full-day trip and Pompeii must be at least half a day by the time you travel to and from. So 2 nights in Sorrento probably isn't adequate. Best to count nights rather than days.
Remember, too, that mid-summer in southern Italy is likely to be very hot. Pushing through the full day without taking a break in an air-conditioned space during the hottest period is very difficult.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15852 posts
I wouldn't expect to see a museum on my arrival day after a
transatlantic flight. Walking around outdoors, yes.
I would agree, and a child along may involve different considerations as well. How old is he/she?
Two nights definitely isn't going to be enough for Sorrento as it would only give you one full day of sightseeing. Two nights for Rome isn't enough either as if you intend to spend the day puttering along the Amalfi Coast on your way, that would only leave you one full day there.
Travel ( again...) to Rome, along the Amalfi Coast...
I'm not sure how you intend to do this? With either a bus or ferry, you'd have issues with your luggage if you wanted to stop in, say, Positano or Amalfi for a lookabout. Personally, I wouldn't drive in July when the coast is going to be a zoo.
What you might consider is skipping Rome altogether and spending all of your time in Sorrento/Naples? Your ship, I'm sure, departs from Civitavecchia, which is about an hour outside Rome. What time do you need to be there to embark?