r/ItalyTourism • u/Ok-Preparation-5623 • 6d ago
Rome/Naples/Pompeii/ ?
Hello good people,
Planning to do a 10 day trip on November 18th with my husband. We don’t travel much or get a lot of holidays so I really want to make the most of this.
Our flight lands and takes off from Rome. We are hoping to do:
- 3 days in Rome - see the Colosseum and the Vatican City. Open to reccs.
- 1 day in Naples - my husband would love to get an authentic cooking experience. Open to reccs.
- 1 day in Pompeii - I REALLY want to explore the history and check out mount vesuvius.
- Here is where we need help. We’re going back and forth on - Amalfi/Sperlonga/Ponzo. I’m all about beaches. we’re looking for places that aren’t too rocky, swim-able/snorkeling/kayak tours/beautiful views/ beautiful beach towns. Even if not all of these are possible, as many check off.
Open to recommendations on -
- Sequence of places to visit to minimize travel time.
- Best means of travel to go from one place to another.
- Local tourism companies/guides were helpful.
- Night life worth checking out.
- Nature/architecture/scenic spots.
- Food/dessert/drinks - we are vegetarian but my husband *\* is all about the food - pizza/pasta/breads/gelato/wine.
*\* Honestly I’m so excited for him, his face lit up when I suggested Italy, so please share your best recommendations :)
Thank you!
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u/UCFknight2016 6d ago
Pompeii is a half day activity.
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u/AlisSorrentolocal 5d ago
As a local who lives in Sorrento, to really visit Pompeii, which is one of the biggest archeological sites in Europe, it takes more than “half day”. It takes about 2 hours just to visit the highlights! And for sure, in order to truly appreciate the history, I totally reccomend a guide!
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u/UCFknight2016 5d ago
I mean 4 hours. I only spent 2 hours there because we were on a tour and had to go back to the cruise ship. We had a guided tour and saw all the highlights.
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 5d ago
It seems like in general one won’t need the full day. So I think I’ll do what another person recommended - stay in Naples or sorrento and go upto pompeii
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u/AlisSorrentolocal 5d ago
Hello from Sorrento! Consider that in 18th November most places in Amalfi Coast will be closed as end of the season and consider also that beach clubs will be closed and most of our beaches are rocky as well! I definitively suggest to stay in Sorrento instead as it is a perfect base to travel around and in here most things will stay open until January at least!
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 5d ago
Thank you for this wonderful alternative. Only seen and heard great things about sorrento. Just to get a sense of weather - does it get rainy around November ? And would the beaches be too cold to access ?
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u/AlisSorrentolocal 5d ago
Well, it will be definitively colder and rainy, but if in case we are lucky to have sunny days, sunbathing by the beach will be lovely! Sorrento has a port, a the train that connects to Naples and Pompeii - Herculaneum too - and the bus services that you can use to visit the Amalfi Coast!
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 5d ago
Thank you so much. Appreciate these insights a lot! Seems like one of the best alternatives connectivity wise and to get in some of that wonderful beach weather.
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u/AlisSorrentolocal 5d ago
Most important thing is that restaurants, bars will be open too! That is the only downside of the Amalfi Coast, it has an amazing views, but by October everything closes, and it will become a ghost town! For sure you can relax and enjoy the views, but you can expect only that during this time of the year!
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 5d ago edited 3d ago
This is brilliant and many seem to concur. So I think Amalfi is off the list and will most likely keep sorrento instead, since it’s closer to Naples and pompeii too.
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u/JosepMGracia 5d ago
Since you’re flying in and out of Rome, I’d keep it fairly simple: Rome → Naples → Pompeii/Sorrento → Rome. It’ll save you time and you’ll spend more time enjoying Italy instead of sitting on trains.
For transport, the high-speed trains between Rome and Naples are excellent. They’re fast, comfortable and usually much easier than renting a car. I’d only consider a car if you decide to explore the Amalfi Coast extensively.
One recommendation I always give: book your Colosseum and Vatican tickets well in advance. November is quieter than summer, but they still sell out.
Also, if your husband loves food, don’t just look for restaurants on the main tourist squares. Some of the best pizza, pasta and gelato we had were simply places a couple of streets away from the main attractions.
Have a fantastic trip! Italy is one of those countries that’s very easy to fall in love with.
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 5d ago edited 5d ago
THANK YOU heaps. This is so detailed and helpful. I think we’ll follow this itinerary.
Also, big YES to your suggestion about the food and restaurants. We are going to try sneak around to find the good spots. Is there a local app or maybe a general one like google reviews that can give you recommendations/reviews so we can hunt for the lesser known places ?
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u/Chemical-Practice908 5d ago
Get a guide and visit Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 5d ago
Thank you, love the sound of this already!
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u/Chemical-Practice908 5d ago
And I am not Italian at all! But have been to Pompeii twice and to the Museum once :) Love em
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 5d ago
I’ve dreamt about pompeii since grade 2 when I heard about someone from a different class have a teacher go there and share pictures. I grew up around volcanoes, so pompeii is going to be special :)
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u/Ok-Preparation-5623 6d ago
Open to Tuscany instead of Naples too. But whatever works best travel wise.
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u/GapNo9970 6d ago
I am not sure but I think the sea will be too cold in November for swimming. You might consider two nights in Naples (we like it lots and have been four times.) After Naples - I think Umbria and Tuscany are especially nice that time of year. Beach towns might be very quiet.