Southern Italy

I adore Sicily but would not fly there for just 5-1/2 days when you have lovely options closer at hand. Sicily is a large island where you would benefit greatly from having 2 or 3 weeks. 18 days wasn't enough for me without a car, and I skipped most of the Greek sites. By all means, plan a (separate) trip to Sicily. You could even go a bit earlier in the year, I think, and have decent weather. It can get quite hot by mid-June, if not earlier.

My experience in the Amalfi area was too brief and too far in the past to be helpful, but many others here will be able to assist you, including the practicality of Rome as a day-trip (of which I am doubtful, but I might be wrong).

I like Sorrento as a home base for easy access to Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii etc. Sicily really does want more of your time especially in the summer heat. Rome for a day? That would not be my first choice but if you do: go early, come back late and plan carefully your time there. Hmm, that doesn't sound much like a vacation to me? :) I vote for the slower pace of life around Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

I adore Sicily too. I was there for 4 nights a few years ago, only toured part of the eastern coast and vowed if I ever returned I would need a minimum of 10 days to tour the island.

So that's your dilemma. If you haven't seen Naples, the A.C., Pompei, Salerno...then I'd say stay, make Positano or Ravello your base, and enjoy. We were just there, basing in Sorrento for 5 nights, and while logistically it's probably the best place to be to daytrip almost anywhere, and the food there is top notch, Sorrento as a whole left me a little cold. Some people love it.

I thought the few hours we spent in Positano were spectacular, although it was in early March and totally devoid of tourists. In June with the hordes, maybe I wouldn't think it's so great. To each his/her own...

I would have no issue making Naples my base because you're already flying into and out of it. At the very least, dedicate at least a full day (or more) for Naples. Stay in the Vomero district at the top of the hill if you're worried about it being overly hectic (you'll have the most amazing views from there). You can easily take a ferry from Naples elsewhere - Ischia, Procida, Capri, etc (although I would probably try to spend the night if I was going to one of the islands). Or you can stay mostly or entirely in Sorrento and use that as the base to explore Pompeii, etc. Most people would prefer Sorrento (over Naples) because it's calmer and more "sanitized" for tourists. I like the contrast between the two but prefer the messiness of Naples (I'm definitely in the minority here).

I wouldn't fly to Naples just to go to Sicily, logistically it doesn't make sense (and also it disregards the fact that there are actually interesting things to be seen right in Naples). I wouldn't take a train to Rome either just for one day...I would focus on one small area with the short time you have. Leave Rome (and Sicily) for another visit when you can give it enough time.

lynnie,

As I mentioned in your other thread, with only a very short five days, I'd skip Sicily this time. Keep in mind that flights to and from Sicily are going to take 4-6 hours each way, which leaves only a very short time to actually see anything in Sicily. Plan to return on another trip when you have enough time to actually see something on Sicily.

To reiterate my previous suggestions, Sorrento makes a great home base for that area and would be a nicer home base than Naples (IMO). It's easy to get to Positano from there and to take a day trip to Capri. Don't try to fit too much in to such a short time frame.

You have 5 nights on the ground (June 9,10,11,12,13). That is 4 full days plus 2 half days when you will be consumed by fighting jet lag, checking in, getting oriented, unpack, pack, check out, traveling to the airport, and getting ready for travel.

4 full days are barely enough to see the gulf of Naples/Sorrento Peninsula area. For example:
Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Mt. Vesuvius, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Procida, Ischia, Paestum, Sorrento, Cilento. You need more than a week just for those. I generally suggest a minimum of 4 nights for that area. Sorrento or Positano areas are good bases.

Sicily needs ar least 10 days just to have a basic visit. So you need to leave that for another day, unless you can add that long to your vacation.

Thank you all. We won't be jet lagged as we will have been in Europe for a few weeks before this. We are looking at a home base in Sorrento -- any suggestions for a hotel or b&b? Priority is meeting locals...People say don't try to drive so if we don't get a car, how do we get around? can we bus or train most places? Would love your suggestions for itinerary for the 4 full days and 2 partial days? We aren't big tour people but do like a guide here and there. Do you know anyone who lives in the area?
This is such a great site for posting. Lynnie

Lynnie,

Fly into Naples, take the Curreri Viaggi bus to Sorrento.
Cost 10E. Travel time 1H15m.

If views are what you want, stay here. Try to book a balcony room. They have a shuttle that connects you to town. Going downhill into town is a pleasant walk. Bus going up better choice. Great breakfast, and try to have at least one dinner here.

http://ilnido.it

Allow one day to ferry to Capri.

One to hike. Either the hills above Sorrento, or head to Amalfi, by bus or ferry to the path of the gods. Start in Amalfi and end in Positano.

A day for Pompei. Take the train (Circumvesuvian) to Pompei Scavi. Allow 3-4 hours.
Then same train into Naples for the archeological museum.
Return to Sorrento by train.

Allow another day for Amalfi, Ravello, Atrani. Ferry to will save some time. Bus connects Amalfi to Ravello.

Hope this helps, my daughter has lived in the area for 14 years so I visit often.
If you need any other questions answered PM me.

Gerri,

I private messaged you.. did you get that? thanks, Lynnie