We are flying into Rome and spending one night there, then heading down to the Amalfi Coast. We want to visit Pompeii, but are leery about a visit to Naples. Should we:
1. Leave Rome, check into a hotel in Naples, visit Pompeii for an afternoon, have dinner in Naples, head to the archeological museum the next morning, and then continue down to the Amalfi Coast, or should we leave Rome, go straight down to Sorrento, and head to Pompeii the next day? My husband is afraid that we will not enjoy Naples because we will be extra-vigilant about being the target of petty thieves, so he's inclined to skip it, and head to Pompeii from Sorrento.
We arrive in Rome on a Friday morning and leave Rome to head back to the States late in the day the following Wednesday. Should we base ourselves in Sorrento from Saturday through Tuesday, wander around Sorrento on Saturday afternoon, go to Pompeii on Sunday, take a boat to Amalfi and then go on to Positano on Monday (and heading back to Sorrento at night), and not sure what to do on Tuesday (open to suggestions), before heading back to Rome late on Tuesday, where we would spend one more night before heading home to the U.S.? Alternatively, should we only stay in Sorrento for a night or two and then stay elsewhere, e.g., Positano or Amalfi for another night?
By the way, we've visited Rome before and stayed near Piazza Navona. We loved the neighborhood. Where in Rome would you recommend staying for two nights, one inbound and one before heading home? Would you choose Trastevere or the Centro Storico? We don't have a list of places that we feel we must see as we've spent time there before. I think we will mostly enjoying soaking in all that is Rome, drinking espresso and wine, and eating. Any recommendations appreciated.
Any hotel and/or restaurant recommendations for any or all parts of this itinerary would be much appreciated as well. In Rome, over a decade ago, we loved L'Orso 80. Anyone been there recently? Any Sorrento favorites?
Many thanks!