Basing out of Sorrento for 2 nights in late April...Will have 2 1/2 days to see the area...Is it feasible to see Positano, Amalfi, and Capri in one day without being so rushed that we miss the "experience"? Also have Pompeii and walking around Sorrento on our "must" list...considering seeing either Pompeii or Capri enroute from Naples on the first day...
Thanks for any thoughts!
Todd
I was just in that area this past Sept. It might be doable but so rushed. Maybe see Pompeii en route from Naples. I think you could spend an entire day or even a week if you were to want to see every detail at Pompeii! But this was a time I thought worth it to hire a guide. They wait by the entrance. If you get enough people in a group, you can make a deal. We had about 7 adults and a few kids and each adult paid 10 euro for the nearly 3 hour tour. Well worth it. Granted, we only scratched the surface but he was able to take us to the highlights, explain the history and fun facts and at the end advised other sites we may want to go to on our own. So this might be a good idea for you to keep you on schedule and use time wisely yet still get a lot out of Pompeii. Do that enroute on the first day. So then does that mean you will still have two full days?? Hope so b/c you can use the next day to walk around Sorrento and go to Capri for the day. The next day can be spent heading to Positano and Amalfi and I would also suggest the town of Ravello up in the hills above Amalfi. happy travels!
Thank you for responding...Unfortunately this is going to be a little rushed for all we want to see...We train from Naples to Sorrento on Monday and had thought to stop at Pompeii enroute...We then have Tuesday and train to Rome on Wednesday...I think we may be able to do Pompeii and walking Sorrento on Monday, Capri and Positano (possibly on to Amalfi) on Tuesday, then off to Rome on Wed (we could also do Capri enroute back to Naples/Rome...How easy is it to stow luggage at Pompeii and Capri (the guide says it is available)
You will definitely experience all that you stated. But it depends on your definition of "experience."
I know people who have spent one day in Rome, one day in Florence, and one day in Venice...and say they've experienced Italy.
I don't know how long you'll be traveling, but it's a good idea at some point to have a "down" day where you're not rushing.Recharge your batteries. Sorrento/Amalfi is the perfect place for this. Even Rick suggests taking a break while traveling.
We drove through the Amalfi twice last summer and found a parking place in Amalfi on the second day. I suppose everything depends on your definition of experience, which is a very subjective term. The area is not very long, but it is twisting, winding, and difficult to drive
Pompeii is immense and tiring. We spent 4 or 5 hours walking around and we did not see the place in depth.
Buon viaggio,
RB
One possible modification may make your packed itinerary more doable. You could substitute Herculaneum for Pompei. Same idea, i.e. a city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius. However, it's much more compact; and the bonus is that much more of the stuff has been left in situ, unlike Pompeii, whose artifacts are mostly in the museum in Naples. While I'm at it, I'll suggest that you reconsider Positano. I can see the attraction if one is staying there, but for a day-tripper it's street after street of touristy shops and not much else.
I must say Grazie to all for sharing your thoughts and ideas...The RS "blue and gold" army truly has a wealth of varied experience and is not afraid to share...Our travels will be better for this...
