Discussion
Just booked myself and MrsHorneyMX5 into a hotel in Pompeii for 4 nights at Easter for her 40th Birthday. She loves Roman stuff and has always wanted to go.
What else is there to do in the surrounding area? We're based very close to the station for ease of public transport, I'm not hugely keen on hiring a car.
What else is there to do in the surrounding area? We're based very close to the station for ease of public transport, I'm not hugely keen on hiring a car.
I'd definitely agree with you on the car hire thing. Driving around Naples and the Amalfi Coast looks quite hairy.
I would recommend getting down to the port at Sorrento and taking the ferry across to Capri for a day or taking one of the boat trips along the coast to Positano or Amalfi. The coastline is absolutely stunning.
Naples has a bit of a reputation for being more 'edgy' than other Italian cities but there are some beautiful parts and loads to see if you like history and culture.
Pompei itself is breathtaking. Enjoy it!
I would recommend getting down to the port at Sorrento and taking the ferry across to Capri for a day or taking one of the boat trips along the coast to Positano or Amalfi. The coastline is absolutely stunning.
Naples has a bit of a reputation for being more 'edgy' than other Italian cities but there are some beautiful parts and loads to see if you like history and culture.
Pompei itself is breathtaking. Enjoy it!
Think you might find the ferries from Sorrento to Amalfi/Positano don't run until later in the year ( I was there this April and had to go by bus from Sorrento) ferries didn`t start until May I believe. Buses are a bit of a horrendous journey but get a seat on the right hand side for the views unless you don't like heights. Would 2nd the trip to Capri well worth it. Have a good time.
You could book an organised trip including transport to Paestum which is south of Salerno. Paestum is Greek not Roman. It's a vast area with some superb remains and a booked trip will likely include a guide. The museum is also very worthwhile. When we booked an organised trip we were staying in Ravello in 2014. It was a full day trip, guide, entry to Paestum and the museum, plus lunch, and was very good. We booked this trip in the UK before we went away. I think it cost about €75 per person.
A day trip to the island of Ischea is also worthwhile. Main event there is the Walton Gardens, and the spectacular scenery. Again, we booked an organised trip which include all the transportation, entry fees and lunch.
When visiting Pompeii having a guide is essential to get the best out of the visit. Just sign up with others to make a group plus guide after you've arrived.
R.
A day trip to the island of Ischea is also worthwhile. Main event there is the Walton Gardens, and the spectacular scenery. Again, we booked an organised trip which include all the transportation, entry fees and lunch.
When visiting Pompeii having a guide is essential to get the best out of the visit. Just sign up with others to make a group plus guide after you've arrived.
R.
Naples is a short train ride out, I like Naples. As others have said it's a bit gritty in parts, but that adds to the flavour.
I'm flying into Naples 15th, spend the night there and on by train to Calabria on the 16th. Back into Naples 19th, fly home 20th. I'd take longer but work keeps getting in the way. Damn work. They keep wanting to pay me. b
ds.
I'm flying into Naples 15th, spend the night there and on by train to Calabria on the 16th. Back into Naples 19th, fly home 20th. I'd take longer but work keeps getting in the way. Damn work. They keep wanting to pay me. b
ds.Puggit said:
Good advice already in the thread.
Herculaneum is smaller but better preserved.
Paestum was frankly jaw-dropping
Vesuvious is a must climb
Don't forget Capri, although that's a day trip in its own right. Amalfi, Ravello both good to visit.
All of that. Do the scary bus ride on Capri, it's not something you'll forget. Herculaneum is smaller but better preserved.
Paestum was frankly jaw-dropping
Vesuvious is a must climb
Don't forget Capri, although that's a day trip in its own right. Amalfi, Ravello both good to visit.
CrutyRammers said:
Puggit said:
Good advice already in the thread.
Herculaneum is smaller but better preserved.
Paestum was frankly jaw-dropping
Vesuvious is a must climb
Don't forget Capri, although that's a day trip in its own right. Amalfi, Ravello both good to visit.
All of that. Do the scary bus ride on Capri, it's not something you'll forget. Herculaneum is smaller but better preserved.
Paestum was frankly jaw-dropping
Vesuvious is a must climb
Don't forget Capri, although that's a day trip in its own right. Amalfi, Ravello both good to visit.
lauda said:
I'd definitely agree with you on the car hire thing. Driving around Naples and the Amalfi Coast looks quite hairy.
I thought the same before I went out to the Amalfi coast in June this year - looked like it would be really hairy. In reality you just want to hire the smallest car you can (I had a lovely Lancia Ypsilon!) and just relax and do what the locals do - which mainly consists of going slow-ish when it gets tight, gesticulating and using your horn a bit. After the first day of driving I started to really enjoy it.[edited to add] there were only a couple of times I had to fold the mirrors in!
As for places to visit - definitely worth a boat trip along the coast - Positano and Praiano are lovely places to get some lunch.
Mr Kitten said:
I thought the same before I went out to the Amalfi coast in June this year - looked like it would be really hairy. In reality you just want to hire the smallest car you can (I had a lovely Lancia Ypsilon!) and just relax and do what the locals do - which mainly consists of going slow-ish when it gets tight, gesticulating and using your horn a bit. After the first day of driving I started to really enjoy it.
[edited to add] there were only a couple of times I had to fold the mirrors in!
As for places to visit - definitely worth a boat trip along the coast - Positano and Praiano are lovely places to get some lunch.
Agree. One of the best drives I've ever had, Daewoo Matiz along the Amalfi Drive early in the morning. Absolutely brilliant fun.[edited to add] there were only a couple of times I had to fold the mirrors in!
As for places to visit - definitely worth a boat trip along the coast - Positano and Praiano are lovely places to get some lunch.
bmwmike said:
Herculanium well worth a visit too... 30 mins from pompei
This. Pompeii is huge and difficult to take it all in. Herculanium is much smaller, you can view the whole town from above when you arrive and is much more accessible. But Pompeii has a brothel and Herculanium doesn't. And the brothel is a hoot. If you're staying in Pompeii and don't want to hire a car look up the 'Circumvesuviana' railway which should afford access to quite a few interesting places. I agree on driving - wouldn't much fancy it either. The view from a coach while travelling from Naples airport to Sorrento confirmed that driving in this part of the world resembles the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, but consisting entirely of Fiats and Scooters!
MitchT said:
If you're staying in Pompeii and don't want to hire a car look up the 'Circumvesuviana' railway which should afford access to quite a few interesting places. I agree on driving - wouldn't much fancy it either. The view from a coach while travelling from Naples airport to Sorrento confirmed that driving in this part of the world resembles the first lap of the Monaco Grand Prix, but consisting entirely of Fiats and Scooters!
I say again, absolutely brilliant fun 
Herculaneum, I would definately agree with those above, it's jaw-dropping. As well as the preservation, it's still way below the surface, so you can really see how much mud covered it (something like 6m from memory), and see how far the shore was moved out to sea.
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