Rome, Naples, Sorrento…Pompeii?

If you get a really early start from Rome yes you can stop at Pompeii on the way to Sorrento. You can drop luggage off at the train station tour Pompeii for several hours and then continue on to Sorrento. Just be aware it will probably be crazy hot in Pompeii and there is hardly any shade. We were there several summers ago and is was what I imagine Hades would be like. I took each of my sons on a vacation between high school and college sort of a last hurrah and it was magical. You will be so glad you did this. Enjoy!

Gail, thank you for the advice! Do you think the museum in Naples is a “do not miss” or can we skip? That said, Naples is the birthplace of pizza so we may end up making a stop anyway…

I’m hoping there are water stations to fill our water bottles in Pompeii. If not, we can come prepared.

Since most of the objects that archaeologists have unearthed at Pompeii are now inside Naples’ National Archaeological Museum—- it’s definitely a worthwhile place to visit.

As your son is a foodie you might want to consider taking a food tour in Rome……there are a number of them either in Trastevere or Testaccio. Lots of positive reports of the Trastevere one; I did the Testaccio one with Eating Europe years ago and would do it again. If you did that starting in the morning you could take a short train ride from the nearby station (Porta Ostiense) to the ruined city of Ostia Antica and spend the rest of the afternoon there. Rick Steve’s’ Rome guidebook has a tour you can follow.. It’s quite an extensive site, just not as well known as Pompeii so way less crowded, and it does have some trees so some shade!

In Sorrento go down to its fishing village, Porto Grande, great seafood restaurant overlooking Bay of Naples, incredible sunsets, called Bagni Delphino.

Kenko, thank you for this clarification. I think we’ll try to fit in the museum.

Lesley, I appreciate the guidance! I thought about a cooking class in Rome but maybe we’ll do a food tour instead! I know it’s going to be packed with people during our stay so going to a different archeological site may be just the ticket for us. We’ll definitely try the restaurant in Sorrento. Do you have any experience with agritourism farm/orchards around Sorrento?

Sorrento: 3 nights
July 7: Fly out of Naples (late am)

Depending on what "late AM" is and where that flight goes, you may want to give consideration to spending the last night in Naples

We did not have time for Naples as we were in Positano for a wedding. We were able to have one morning free so we went to Pkmpeii. I seem to remember some.sort of stand outside the entrance where you may be able to buy some water. We wore simple straw hats for a little bit of shade and they were great for walking in . Rome. We also carried disposable wash cloths we did dip in the fountains in Pompeii then stored them in small plastic bags and it gave us some.relief. Someone else with better memory will be able to help with buying water there and tell you which Pompeii stop on the train. I think there are two.

I would 100% go to Herculaneum instead of the Archeology Museum in Naples. No doubt in my mind.

There are great archeological museums in Rome too so it’s not the end of the world in my book to miss the archeological museum in Naples.

I have a great restaurant in Rome to check out. It’s called “Lume - Osteria alle scalette.” It’s right near the Vatican, not expensive, absolutely amazing service (perfect English too), and the food is exceptional. Highly recommend.

With more time, I'd say to add the Naples museum but as your time is short, I'd focus on Pompeii scavi. Doing it enroute to Sorrento would save time, and you can check luggage at the scavi or Circumvesuviana train station...which is right in front of the main entrance to the scavi. Your plan to leave Rome early to be there when it opens first thing in the morning is a good one!

Oh and yes, there are fountains throughout the excavation for refilling your bottles. :O)
https://pompeiisites.org/en/faq-en/dove-posso-acquistare-da-bere/

Personally, I don't think you have time for both Herculaneum and Pompeii, Lets just say that I certainly wouldn't do them both on the same day. Your son may enjoy visiting the ruins of Villa Jovis on Capri? While not extensive, the views were great, and it was a nice way to escape the worst of the masses that clog the main piazzas of Capri and Anacapri towns. It's a bit of a walk but there's a little cafe not far from the ruins for rest and refueling/rehydration. You do not need a tour to do this.

https://www.capri.com/en/e/villa-jovis-mount-tiberio
A bit more about the ruin:
https://www.travlinmad.com/blog/tiberius-capri-villa-jovis

And that little cafe:
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187783-d2298236-Reviews-Bar_Jovis-Capri_Island_of_Capri_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

My son and his family, with two teens, are doing Italy in July as well. I've already warned them that Rome and Pompeii will be HOT - take sun hats and/or umbrellas (if it were me, I'd just buy a cheap umbrella when I got there rather than tote it with me.)

But your plan sounds great! If this was my trip, I'd go ahead to Sorrento (by ferry from Naples), get settled in, then take a trip to Pompeii from there. It is quick and easy to get to by train. I skipped the Archaeological Museum in Naples when I was there before, and it is Number One on the list for my upcoming trip to Naples (after seeing Pompeii, I MUST see the museum!)

I'm curious about your flight home from Naples, are you staying in Sorrento the night before, and then getting transportation to Naples for your morning flight? That sounds a little "iffy" to me. I know you said you can't change your reservations, but if possible, would you consider spending the last night in Naples? Then you could see the museum the day before you leave and be a lot closer to the airport for your morning flight.

Now I'm getting nervous about traveling to the Naples airport the morning of our flight. We leave at 10am flying to New Jersey. I assumed we could take an early transfer between the two cities and have plenty of time. We don’t have any bags to check. Am I looking through rose-colored glasses?

Now I'm getting nervous about traveling to the Naples airport the
morning of our flight. We leave at 10am flying to New Jersey. I
assumed we could take an early transfer between the two cities and
have plenty of time. We don’t have any bags to check. Am I looking
through rose-colored glasses?
By car, it is just over an hour, and you'll need to be there around 7 if it's an international flight (if you have a layover in Europe, then I'd do two hours), so I would much prefer the 10 minute cab ride from Naples versus a private transfer. That will be better food-wise, so it's not the end of the world!

Recently took a guided tour of "best of" Sorrento, Positano and Pompeii on cruise stop in Naples. Regretted we didn't have more time in Sorrento. Pompeii was truly worth the time and it and was absolutely amazing. It's so vast, a guided tour really helped play the hits there and explain the history. Have a great vaca!

Are you on the UAL flight at 9:45 AM direct to EWR? ( Or the Delta flight at 10:15AM to JFK?)

google maps 'optimistic' travel time estimate is one hour. To be reasonably assured of a 7AM arrival at the airport, a 5:30-5:45 departure from the hotel looks advisable.

I find a 4:30 AM wake up unappealing.

If anything goes sideways you are oarless up the proverbial creek.

Happy travels

We’re on the United flight to ERW at 9:45. I’m working with our hotel to see if we can alter our last night and stay in Naples. I certainly don’t want to miss our flight.

We’re on the United flight to ERW at 9:45. I’m working with our hotel
to see if we can alter our last night and stay in Naples. I certainly
don’t want to miss our flight.

Good idea. You'd have to wake up in the wee hours of the morning to make sure you got to Naples on time - and then I wonder what transportation would be available (or had you already booked a private transport?)

Hopefully you can change it, and you'll have a more relaxed morning of departure. PLUS you could spend at least half a day in Naples before you leave - you could at least see the museum and have dinner there the night before your flight.

I confirmed that we can change our last night to stay in Naples. Thank you all for the constructive feedback and encouragement. I’m hoping we can make it to the Naples museum and maybe spend the evening sampling all of the street food Naples has to offer!

Do not overlook the (non Pompeii) famous Farnese Marbles at the same museum. Expect to stand in line for some pizza restaurants, up to an hour.

One suggestion for the heat.

Look at handheld mini fan rechargeable on Amazon. When we (family of 4) went to Italy in late May / early June I ordered one for each of us. My husband looked at them rather dubiously when they arrived; however, we all used them on our trip and continue to use them on trips when we are traveling in hot months. They help a lot and it was great to have while we were touring, on a train with poorly functioning a/c, etc. And you can buy a short cord and have it charge your phone as well.

Ok. I got our last night changed to a hotel in Naples. I’ve booked a Roman food tour and boat ride around/to Capri through Get Your Guide. I also requested a confirmation for the Rick Steves Shared Trips cooking class in Sorrento. I think we’ll leave early from Sorrento on our last day and do Pompeii on our way to Naples. We can then sample the street food vendors and maybe fit in the museum before flying out the next morning. I have refillable bottles, handheld fans, and cool clothes on the way. You have all been so helpful and gracious to me. I appreciate the sound advice, tips and tricks, along with the encouragement setting us up for success. My European experiences have all been on Oceania Cruises so hitting the ground running all alone with no one holding my hand is a little bit scary! My sister used to joke that she couldn’t do a “land cruise” after having such fantastic experiences on the water. Here’s to hoping that we can enjoy our “land cruise” as much as we enjoyed our bougie cruises. I’m so very excited to share this opportunity with my son and celebrate him.