Naples and Pompeii (Italy)

[vt1977 0]

I've been wanting to see Pompeii for years and I've finally got round to booking a long weekend in the Naples and Pompeii area for mid March.

So... has anyone been? Anything in particular I should see in Naples itself or in Pompeii?

At present I'm thinking of the following itinerary:

Day 1 - arrive early morning - see Naples
Day 2 - head down Pompeii/Herculaneum - explore Herculaneum
Day 3 - see Pompeii (all day) and return to Naples
Day 4 - see more of Naples - fly home

Thoughts/comments/suggestions?

Vicki

[Tonto 1]

Yeah.

Buy some shoes.

[Edit] Visit the Blue Grotto[/edit]

When in Pompeii, ask the guide to show you the knock shop. Sexual positions have changed little over the last few 1000 years...

t

It's the year of the Pig.

[Byron03 0]

I did a one day tour group thing in Pompeii last February. It is definitely cool to see. I would recommend some kind of guided tour of the ruins. Because honestly, without the guide talking I wouldn't have had much of a clue what I was seeing. The tour guide I was with, gave us some free time to explore on our own also.

I didn't get to see much of Naples, just stopped for a meal there. But it looked, uhh...interesting. As we drove through it I could see there were some pretty nice parts. And there were some very crappy parts. The city looked to be about the right size, that a long weekend could cover all of it.

If your interested in the tour group name I can find it later and PM you.

Have a good trip, post pictures.

[Acensky 0]

Take a hike up to Mt. Vesuvious, or some wine tasting, they are known for having great wine.

I had to do a paper on Vesuvious.
Can I come with you??

I hope that you a ton of fun

Heather

Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

[kjarv 0]

I LIVE in Naples!!! Been here for 1.5 years.

You should base your time in Pompeii based on how big of a history fan you are. It's a HUGE site bring water and good walking shoes. However, to the historically challenged it can be just a big giant boring place. Best bet is to get a guide or do a ton of homework before you go so the place can come alive for you.

I haven't visited Herculaneum, I've heard it's smaller/easier to deal with.

Be very aware of pickpockets/thieves for your visit- You don't have to worry about your safety but they are great at snatching your stuff.

Naples has the BEST pizza in the world---forget about the american version of Pizza, the stuff they have here is almost a totally different food! Have a Pizza Margherita (fresh mozzarella, fresh tomato sauce, and a bit of basil)--reportedly invented in naples to honor the queen with the colors of italy (red white and green)---the pizza alone is worth a trip to naples area.

Mozzarella di bufala is also a neopolitan specialty. Yup, buffalo cheese! Water Buffalo to be exact. It's unforgettably good. You can get it at most restaurants as a 'primi' (first course) most likely it'll be Prosciutto Mozzarella (a plate of thinly sliced ham and the Mozzarella cheese)

Lastly, you gotta have cafe here. their espresso's are amazing as well as the cappucino.

Naples isn't much for sightseeing, it's got it's own character but it's tough to appreciate as a tourist-- not much in the way of 'must see' tourist attractions.

Be prepared for 'complex' travel. There is no train from the airport, there is a train from Naples to Pompeii. Train and bus schedules are more of a suggestion than schedule

Welcome to Bella Napoli! Hope you have a great visit!

-kjarv

[vid666 0]

I was in Italy in Sept - I don't think you need more than 1 day for Pompei. Personally, everywhere we have been there was AWESOME.


PICS

[GodspeedsC5 0]

I spent a couple weeks in December in Italy and went to both Napes and Pompeii.

For me Naples was a bit too extreme to stay for very long - no offense to those who live there. As said above I would agree 1 day is plenty to see Pompeii - get ready for lots of walking. What I would recommend is actually staying in Sorrento and then traveling to Naples and Pompeii for the day. Unless you like guarding your wallet every second and fighting off beggars, just get in out and of Naples quickly. Then if you have an extra day in Sorrento I would tour the coast, very beautiful.

[kjarv 0]

No offense taken...Naples takes a lot of getting used too!

Agreed---Time in Sorrento/Amalfi coast is better spent than in Naples.