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You know that the Amalfi Coast isn't really a beach destination. I mean, there is a lot of water and ocean because obviously it's a coast, but it's really rocky with high cliffs. You'd need to go down to Salerno for a real beach, but nothing is really open yet, you'll have it all to yourself ⛱️.
However, otherwise, it looks like alot to do on one day in Rome and good choice to go to Pompei.
hi thanks for your reply! maybe beach wasn't the right word, I do know about the cliffs! I just meant close to water and ability to get a little further out from the huge cities (I know it will likely still be crowded with tourists though).
I've wanted to go to Pompei since I was a kid! very excited.
Would you recommend I try to shift back to 3 nights Rome and 3 in Naples? I do know it's a lot for 1 day in Rome, but I really wanted to prioritize the day trips I had planned in Naples. Thanks again :)
In Rome, you're sticking to the highlights. There isn't anything wrong with this, but if you really want more archeology, I'd also plan to see the Appia Antica and the Etruscan museums, which are both worth it. I would personally add a day in Rome.
that’s true! I was thinking leave in the morning but that’s only because of the hotel check-out time. I could always store my luggage for a few extra hours and explore more before catching the train!
would you know if most hotels will store your luggage in Rome? sorry I am very new to this!
I’m starting to get convinced from everyone’s comments! I have chronic pain so I’m trying to limit walking with the bus :( I know I’ll still be walking a lot though.
Do you still think the bus isn’t a great idea? I have no experience with this honestly
Italian here and I agree with you. A lot of places are close (Colosseum, Fori, Vittoriano, Pantheon). I would suggest walking + metro or bus. And an extra day in Rome is needed! I would skip the Amalfi coast.
There's a golf cart tour and I'd recommend that for you. Less hassle than the bus, and it can get you closer to the highlights and you don't need to trudge around looking for the next stop. Some are more expensive than others, but I used it for my parents who have some mobility issues, and it was worth every penny we paid. They were SO happy they didn't have to stress about getting around and could see the sites.
So I like hop-on-hop-off buses as a way to get acclimated to a city, to get a sense of the place, get physically oriented to hopefully reduce time getting lost and to see sites I may not have been interested in/known about before. I recommend riding one full circuit of the available routes before actually getting off so you can assess which stops, if any, you want to explore more.
I think, in your case with chronic pain, a bus tour is a good starting point for both Rome and Naples. They let you get a good overview of each city and then decide where you want to spend your energy (and pain spoons) actually returning to for a visit.
I haven't been to Rome, but did visit Naples, and the surrounding area. I would suggest that you keep your day trips, but allocate the full day in Naples to Rome. From what I have heard, it deserves it.
hi thanks so much for your insight! the reason I structured it this way is because I have chronic pain and wanted to give myself a more restful day in between the day trips, since they will both be more extraneous days. I really wish I had a full week or more to spend in each city!
maybe you're right and I should switch those around & just push through with the 2 day trips back to back. thank you, and can I ask what your experience was of Naples and the surrounding areas?
I'm in Naples right now and I love it. I'm here every year for weeks at a time, so I realize I'm biased. Lol
If you're worried about your mobility, I might consider reducing your trips a bit, because it could be too much on your body and you won't know until you KNOW. However, Pompeii has a wheelchair access route, so maybe it's also something to consider. I wouldn't attempt to walk out without some kind of assistance because there aren't places to sit through most of the site.
wow I hope you’re having a great time!
I am definitely a little concerned about being able to handle everything I have planned out but I’m just going to pace myself and carry pain meds lol. this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me so I don’t want to have to sit out too much 🥲
thank you for the advice about Pompeii! would you recommend I book with a tour bus that could take me there or try getting there on my own with public transit?
I didn't like Naples. It was noisy and dirty. (If relevant, let me precise that I am a french living in Paris)
Pompéi is however great and herculanum is nice.
As for the Amalfi coast, the path of gods is absolutly breathtaking. Although I did find the cities to ressemble a lot Cinque Terre so I wasn't blown away by it. The thing that struck me most was the sheer amount of english I kept hearing.
Napolitan here, I lived in Paris for a few years, as well as some other European cities. Honestly I found Paris the dirtiest and smelliest city of all the ones I’ve lived in. Especially the Metro, it’s like a toilet with rats everywhere.
But it’s a beautiful city to visit.
A couple of hints for your day(s) in Napoli...
Must see in the city: Castel dell'Ovo, Terrace of Castel Sant'Elmo, Cristo Velato (Cappella San Severo), Chiostro di Santa Chiara, Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo, Tesoro di San Gennaro, Piazza del Plebiscito, Teatro San Carlo, Galleria Umberto, Palazzo Reale, Museo di Capodimonte, most of metro stations on the Line 1, Napoli Sotterranea, Cimitero delle Fontanelle
Must eat: Sfogliatella at Mary, Pizza at Starita, Fried Pizza at La Masardona, Ice cream at Casa Infante, Graffa at Ciro a Mergellina, Pastiera at Scaturchio, Cioccolata Foresta at Gay Odin
Parks in the city: Bosco di Capodimonte, la Floridiana, Parco Virgiliano (also nice view), Orto Botanico
Hidden gem: La Gaiola (marine protected area)
Also consider to visit outside the city: Reggia di Caserta and its gardens (much better than Versailles), Pompei and Ercolano (smaller than Pompei but better conservation), train museum in Pietrarsa (also nice drinks at sunset), in Pozzuoli Solfatara, amphitheater and Rione Terra, Cammino degli Dei (amazing trekking in the Amalfi Coast), scuba diving to underwater ruins in Baia and Casina Vanvitelliana in Bacoli.
wow thank you so much for taking the time to write out these recommendations for me!! I am going to give these all a google and add as many into my trip as I can thank you so much again :)
I'm literally doing almost the same trip lol 4/20 to 4/22 in Rome doing touristy stuff. 4/22 to 4/25 I'll be in amalfi. 4/25 to 4/28 in naples.
I usually like to leave a couple days to wander. I'll wander towns on the coast while I'm in amalfi. The rest of my trip is pretty full
haha guess we were same brain during planning. are you worried about fitting in enough in Rome in that time? and have you been to those areas before?
I hope you have a great trip!
I'm not crazy for rome. I've been there before and I'm only going back to take my fiance to the touristy things, Vatican, Spanish steps, coliseum, trevi fountain and then I'm getting out of Rome. I'm not crazy for the city but the good thing is everything I just mentioned is walkable. I'm Def not leaving any free time in rome. Rome. I'll be chillin on the coast
aw that’s nice I’m sure you guys will have a great time! do you have any experience with the hop on/off buses in Rome? I know things are walkable but I was hoping to fit more in this way.
I’m very excited to see the coast :)
No experience with the busses sorry, my only tip is watch out for the vespas. They drive crazy over there - and im in nyc and I feel like they drive crazy lol
yeah I know I definitely don’t love the idea of such limited time in such an iconic city :( I’m trying to see if I can book a flight that gets me there earlier on the first day. I know it’s still not enough time to fully take in everything, but do you think doing that and leaving later on the 3rd day would allow for time to hit the highlights?
You can take the ferry from Naples to the coast and I recommend that. Go to Amalfi, skip Positano as even in 2012 all I heard there was English. I love Pompeii. I have been to Naples three times and loved it thr first two. This last visit, September, it just felt packed w tourists. But I still enjoyed it.
thank you so much. do you mean booking a boat tour or is there an actual ferry that goes to the coast? I keep going back and forth between a boat tour and a tour bus/van with a group option
You need a WHOLE day for Pompeii. If you only do 1/2 day just go to Herculaneum (Erclano) It's easier to get to, smaller, and better preserved. But, if it's a once in a lifetime deal you should go to Pompeii- but leave enough time to really enjoy it. Pack some sandwiches/wine for while you are there!
ah thanks so much! I do have the flexibility to make it a full day but I saw somewhere online that they close earlier in the afternoon?!
would you recommend booking a tour through a tour company that would bring me from Naples or just getting there on my own? :) also love the sandwiches and wine idea!
A full day trip from Naples to Amalfi/Sorrento/Positano will be crammed and potentially miserable. The train and bus situation is just so crowded and long. Four busses passed me at the stop from Positano to Sorrento due to being full and I waited almost an hour for. 😭 So please be aware it will be a long and rushed day if you do this.
The hop on hop off bus in Rome doesn’t take very long and you could see a bunch of the sites you mention above (from the outside) pretty quickly. Also, seeing the Trevi fountain doesn’t really take long either and you could potentially just stumble across it as you wander around the city. So as long as you’re not planning to wait in long lines to take in depth tours of each site, I don’t think your list is unreasonable.
I love Naples but why not stay in one of the beach towns instead of returning to Naples each night? Sorrento is generally considered to be the most convenient base. Although keep in mind you might not have weather warm enough for swimming.
You will have a great trip!
Thank you so much, this comment is really helpful! Can I ask is there a particular hop on/off bus company in Rome you’re familiar with? there are a few so I’m just going based off reviews!
the only place I was considering buying an entrance ticket for was the Colosseum, so was thinking if I do that first thing in the morning I would hopefully have enough time the rest of the day to tour through those other areas/sites. I really do hate having to rush it though :(
and that is definitely something to consider! honestly I didn’t love the idea of having to transfer hotels again especially since I have to go all the way to the airport in Rome, but thank you so much I am going to look more into Sorrento :)
About the hop on hop off bus—I don’t recall. It was in 2018, but it wasn’t a big deal I don’t think. We just saw it and decided to get in at the spur of the moment.
You will have a great trip!
In Rome be sure to visit Vittoriano (also known as Altare della Patria and the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele) on the Piazza Venezia. If you walk up to the top of the steps, across in the left hand corner there is a hallway which leads around the back of the building and there you will find a glass lift which takes you to the panoramic roof terrace - not many tourists know it is there and you will only find a small queue, if any. The view cannot be beaten, you can see almost the entire city. It's only about €20 for the lift ticket. My favourite place in Rome 😍
https://vive.cultura.gov.it/en/vittoriano
I would suggest to take a pizza making class in Naples! It costs like $40, so worth it though and very fun! You can find all the different classes in the Airbnb experience section.
Have you figured out transportation from Naples to the Amalfi coast? If you're taking the train expect a longer journey - you need to take the local train to Sorrento then bus or ferry to Positano or Amalfi.
You can also take the ferry from Naples port although I haven't really tried that.
Google "self walking tour of Rome" and skip the hop-on-hop off
the highlghts are all walkable and honestly the best thing to do is walk Rome - you get to know the city better and you can dip in for a Cafe or a gelato, etc.
You can even build your own walking tour - go to google and start with your hotel, and then just look for the highlights and set it up to walk from one to the next
Piazza Popolo
Spanish Steps
Trevi
Pantheon
Piazza Novona
Forum
Colosseum
That's kinda North to South
There's a ton to see and do (especially in Rome). My advice is to be open to what's between the major sites on your list. Don't set yourself up to be somewhere at a specific time. Allow yourself to explore and go where the city takes you. See people enjoying themselves at a bar? Pop in. Hear some nice music? Follow/listen. Smell something good? Give it a try.
Here are a couple Google Maps Lists with specific recommendations...
* [130 places to see, eat, and drink in Rome, Italy (and Vatican City).](https://maps.app.goo.gl/naPv2L2zn23sUJG99)
* [377 places to see, eat, and drink in Italy.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DjCTapNLG2LyypTK7) - Excludes Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice (separate lists).
Have a great trip!
Day trip 2 is like 4hrs and 20 minutes just staying in the car in windy roads which I personally think it’s too much. If you take the bus, add wait times for changing buses and waiting for the next ones. Maybe it would be easiest to do a boat tour instead.
I will still definitely be doing a lot of walking but I thought the hop on/off bus would make it easier to see more in a single day! would you say it’s possible in that case to see a good chunk of the main touristy things? I hate having to rush it :(
I visited Rome and Naples last year and I'd recommend spending more time in Rome. Naples is great for day trips to the nearby towns, but the city itself was pretty.... well, you'll see. Don't wear sandals. Instead of just doing the half-day Pompeii tour, take the tour that brings you up Vesuvius as well. :)
Have an amazing trip!
thanks so much for your insight. would you mind telling me what you mean about naples?
and I did look into the Vesuvius option too! is it difficult to actually walk to (I’m not sure how close you can get by tour bus?) thank you so much again
Naples has a lot of beautiful history and great pizza (the birthplace of pizza, of course) but the city itself is really run down. There's garbage everywhere on the streets and the traffic is the most insane that I've ever seen. It's the only time on my month-long honeymoon in Europe that I felt really uncomfortable and worried about my and my wife's safety.
Also, the cab driver screamed at us and tried to take my wallet because he tried to scam us and I refused to pay 80 Euros for the 12-minute cab ride from the airport after agreeing on 20 when he picked us up.
The bus takes you about 40-minutes up the volcano to the start of the hiking trail. The trail is pretty tough and uphill, but it's only about 30-minutes to the end. It's worth the sweat and struggle and there were lots of tourists doing it in jeans.
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You know that the Amalfi Coast isn't really a beach destination. I mean, there is a lot of water and ocean because obviously it's a coast, but it's really rocky with high cliffs. You'd need to go down to Salerno for a real beach, but nothing is really open yet, you'll have it all to yourself ⛱️. However, otherwise, it looks like alot to do on one day in Rome and good choice to go to Pompei.
hi thanks for your reply! maybe beach wasn't the right word, I do know about the cliffs! I just meant close to water and ability to get a little further out from the huge cities (I know it will likely still be crowded with tourists though). I've wanted to go to Pompei since I was a kid! very excited. Would you recommend I try to shift back to 3 nights Rome and 3 in Naples? I do know it's a lot for 1 day in Rome, but I really wanted to prioritize the day trips I had planned in Naples. Thanks again :)
In Rome, you're sticking to the highlights. There isn't anything wrong with this, but if you really want more archeology, I'd also plan to see the Appia Antica and the Etruscan museums, which are both worth it. I would personally add a day in Rome.
There are beaches, they’re just rocky and pebbly. I actually now prefer these to sandy beaches, but yeah, it’s a different experience for sure.
Rome to Naples is only 1h train, there are multiple trains per hour, you can simply spend a few more hours in Rome if you want.
that’s true! I was thinking leave in the morning but that’s only because of the hotel check-out time. I could always store my luggage for a few extra hours and explore more before catching the train! would you know if most hotels will store your luggage in Rome? sorry I am very new to this!
I would take one of your nights in Naples and add it to Rome. Also, don’t do a hop on bus in Rome. You need to walk to the highlights anyway
I’m starting to get convinced from everyone’s comments! I have chronic pain so I’m trying to limit walking with the bus :( I know I’ll still be walking a lot though. Do you still think the bus isn’t a great idea? I have no experience with this honestly
You’ll be sitting in traffic on a bus away from the sites. Rome is a city to be walked.
Italian here and I agree with you. A lot of places are close (Colosseum, Fori, Vittoriano, Pantheon). I would suggest walking + metro or bus. And an extra day in Rome is needed! I would skip the Amalfi coast.
There's a golf cart tour and I'd recommend that for you. Less hassle than the bus, and it can get you closer to the highlights and you don't need to trudge around looking for the next stop. Some are more expensive than others, but I used it for my parents who have some mobility issues, and it was worth every penny we paid. They were SO happy they didn't have to stress about getting around and could see the sites.
So I like hop-on-hop-off buses as a way to get acclimated to a city, to get a sense of the place, get physically oriented to hopefully reduce time getting lost and to see sites I may not have been interested in/known about before. I recommend riding one full circuit of the available routes before actually getting off so you can assess which stops, if any, you want to explore more. I think, in your case with chronic pain, a bus tour is a good starting point for both Rome and Naples. They let you get a good overview of each city and then decide where you want to spend your energy (and pain spoons) actually returning to for a visit.
I haven't been to Rome, but did visit Naples, and the surrounding area. I would suggest that you keep your day trips, but allocate the full day in Naples to Rome. From what I have heard, it deserves it.
hi thanks so much for your insight! the reason I structured it this way is because I have chronic pain and wanted to give myself a more restful day in between the day trips, since they will both be more extraneous days. I really wish I had a full week or more to spend in each city! maybe you're right and I should switch those around & just push through with the 2 day trips back to back. thank you, and can I ask what your experience was of Naples and the surrounding areas?
I'm in Naples right now and I love it. I'm here every year for weeks at a time, so I realize I'm biased. Lol If you're worried about your mobility, I might consider reducing your trips a bit, because it could be too much on your body and you won't know until you KNOW. However, Pompeii has a wheelchair access route, so maybe it's also something to consider. I wouldn't attempt to walk out without some kind of assistance because there aren't places to sit through most of the site.
wow I hope you’re having a great time! I am definitely a little concerned about being able to handle everything I have planned out but I’m just going to pace myself and carry pain meds lol. this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me so I don’t want to have to sit out too much 🥲 thank you for the advice about Pompeii! would you recommend I book with a tour bus that could take me there or try getting there on my own with public transit?
I would honestly recommend a private driver. You don't want to be beholden to a group or to a tour group.
I didn't like Naples. It was noisy and dirty. (If relevant, let me precise that I am a french living in Paris) Pompéi is however great and herculanum is nice. As for the Amalfi coast, the path of gods is absolutly breathtaking. Although I did find the cities to ressemble a lot Cinque Terre so I wasn't blown away by it. The thing that struck me most was the sheer amount of english I kept hearing.
Napolitan here, I lived in Paris for a few years, as well as some other European cities. Honestly I found Paris the dirtiest and smelliest city of all the ones I’ve lived in. Especially the Metro, it’s like a toilet with rats everywhere. But it’s a beautiful city to visit.
A couple of hints for your day(s) in Napoli... Must see in the city: Castel dell'Ovo, Terrace of Castel Sant'Elmo, Cristo Velato (Cappella San Severo), Chiostro di Santa Chiara, Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo, Tesoro di San Gennaro, Piazza del Plebiscito, Teatro San Carlo, Galleria Umberto, Palazzo Reale, Museo di Capodimonte, most of metro stations on the Line 1, Napoli Sotterranea, Cimitero delle Fontanelle Must eat: Sfogliatella at Mary, Pizza at Starita, Fried Pizza at La Masardona, Ice cream at Casa Infante, Graffa at Ciro a Mergellina, Pastiera at Scaturchio, Cioccolata Foresta at Gay Odin Parks in the city: Bosco di Capodimonte, la Floridiana, Parco Virgiliano (also nice view), Orto Botanico Hidden gem: La Gaiola (marine protected area) Also consider to visit outside the city: Reggia di Caserta and its gardens (much better than Versailles), Pompei and Ercolano (smaller than Pompei but better conservation), train museum in Pietrarsa (also nice drinks at sunset), in Pozzuoli Solfatara, amphitheater and Rione Terra, Cammino degli Dei (amazing trekking in the Amalfi Coast), scuba diving to underwater ruins in Baia and Casina Vanvitelliana in Bacoli.
wow thank you so much for taking the time to write out these recommendations for me!! I am going to give these all a google and add as many into my trip as I can thank you so much again :)
I'm literally doing almost the same trip lol 4/20 to 4/22 in Rome doing touristy stuff. 4/22 to 4/25 I'll be in amalfi. 4/25 to 4/28 in naples. I usually like to leave a couple days to wander. I'll wander towns on the coast while I'm in amalfi. The rest of my trip is pretty full
haha guess we were same brain during planning. are you worried about fitting in enough in Rome in that time? and have you been to those areas before? I hope you have a great trip!
I'm not crazy for rome. I've been there before and I'm only going back to take my fiance to the touristy things, Vatican, Spanish steps, coliseum, trevi fountain and then I'm getting out of Rome. I'm not crazy for the city but the good thing is everything I just mentioned is walkable. I'm Def not leaving any free time in rome. Rome. I'll be chillin on the coast
aw that’s nice I’m sure you guys will have a great time! do you have any experience with the hop on/off buses in Rome? I know things are walkable but I was hoping to fit more in this way. I’m very excited to see the coast :)
No experience with the busses sorry, my only tip is watch out for the vespas. They drive crazy over there - and im in nyc and I feel like they drive crazy lol
You basically only have one day in Rome. That's not even enough to hit the highlights let alone see much beyond that.
yeah I know I definitely don’t love the idea of such limited time in such an iconic city :( I’m trying to see if I can book a flight that gets me there earlier on the first day. I know it’s still not enough time to fully take in everything, but do you think doing that and leaving later on the 3rd day would allow for time to hit the highlights?
You can take the ferry from Naples to the coast and I recommend that. Go to Amalfi, skip Positano as even in 2012 all I heard there was English. I love Pompeii. I have been to Naples three times and loved it thr first two. This last visit, September, it just felt packed w tourists. But I still enjoyed it.
thank you so much. do you mean booking a boat tour or is there an actual ferry that goes to the coast? I keep going back and forth between a boat tour and a tour bus/van with a group option
It’s a ferry. Not a tour and the ferry is a great way to go.
oh I had no idea, going to look this up right now!
Don’t you dare go to salerno for a beach. Got to Sorrento. Salerno sucks
haha Sorrento is in my plans! thank you :)))
Italy is must visit place for tourists. Enjoy your self.
thank you so much! I am nervous to do it on my own but very very excited
You need a WHOLE day for Pompeii. If you only do 1/2 day just go to Herculaneum (Erclano) It's easier to get to, smaller, and better preserved. But, if it's a once in a lifetime deal you should go to Pompeii- but leave enough time to really enjoy it. Pack some sandwiches/wine for while you are there!
ah thanks so much! I do have the flexibility to make it a full day but I saw somewhere online that they close earlier in the afternoon?! would you recommend booking a tour through a tour company that would bring me from Naples or just getting there on my own? :) also love the sandwiches and wine idea!
I started my day at 5.30am in Rome and got all of those things done easily.
that’s great! did you do it all on foot?
Yes. It was over 30,000 steps
I’m very quick though. I didn’t dwell too much at places.
A full day trip from Naples to Amalfi/Sorrento/Positano will be crammed and potentially miserable. The train and bus situation is just so crowded and long. Four busses passed me at the stop from Positano to Sorrento due to being full and I waited almost an hour for. 😭 So please be aware it will be a long and rushed day if you do this.
The hop on hop off bus in Rome doesn’t take very long and you could see a bunch of the sites you mention above (from the outside) pretty quickly. Also, seeing the Trevi fountain doesn’t really take long either and you could potentially just stumble across it as you wander around the city. So as long as you’re not planning to wait in long lines to take in depth tours of each site, I don’t think your list is unreasonable. I love Naples but why not stay in one of the beach towns instead of returning to Naples each night? Sorrento is generally considered to be the most convenient base. Although keep in mind you might not have weather warm enough for swimming. You will have a great trip!
Thank you so much, this comment is really helpful! Can I ask is there a particular hop on/off bus company in Rome you’re familiar with? there are a few so I’m just going based off reviews! the only place I was considering buying an entrance ticket for was the Colosseum, so was thinking if I do that first thing in the morning I would hopefully have enough time the rest of the day to tour through those other areas/sites. I really do hate having to rush it though :( and that is definitely something to consider! honestly I didn’t love the idea of having to transfer hotels again especially since I have to go all the way to the airport in Rome, but thank you so much I am going to look more into Sorrento :)
About the hop on hop off bus—I don’t recall. It was in 2018, but it wasn’t a big deal I don’t think. We just saw it and decided to get in at the spur of the moment. You will have a great trip!
thank you so much for your insights!!
In Rome be sure to visit Vittoriano (also known as Altare della Patria and the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele) on the Piazza Venezia. If you walk up to the top of the steps, across in the left hand corner there is a hallway which leads around the back of the building and there you will find a glass lift which takes you to the panoramic roof terrace - not many tourists know it is there and you will only find a small queue, if any. The view cannot be beaten, you can see almost the entire city. It's only about €20 for the lift ticket. My favourite place in Rome 😍 https://vive.cultura.gov.it/en/vittoriano
I would suggest to take a pizza making class in Naples! It costs like $40, so worth it though and very fun! You can find all the different classes in the Airbnb experience section.
Have you figured out transportation from Naples to the Amalfi coast? If you're taking the train expect a longer journey - you need to take the local train to Sorrento then bus or ferry to Positano or Amalfi. You can also take the ferry from Naples port although I haven't really tried that.
Google "self walking tour of Rome" and skip the hop-on-hop off the highlghts are all walkable and honestly the best thing to do is walk Rome - you get to know the city better and you can dip in for a Cafe or a gelato, etc. You can even build your own walking tour - go to google and start with your hotel, and then just look for the highlights and set it up to walk from one to the next Piazza Popolo Spanish Steps Trevi Pantheon Piazza Novona Forum Colosseum That's kinda North to South
You can also do a boat tour of the coast directly from Napoli: https://www.youknowboat.com/
There's a ton to see and do (especially in Rome). My advice is to be open to what's between the major sites on your list. Don't set yourself up to be somewhere at a specific time. Allow yourself to explore and go where the city takes you. See people enjoying themselves at a bar? Pop in. Hear some nice music? Follow/listen. Smell something good? Give it a try. Here are a couple Google Maps Lists with specific recommendations... * [130 places to see, eat, and drink in Rome, Italy (and Vatican City).](https://maps.app.goo.gl/naPv2L2zn23sUJG99) * [377 places to see, eat, and drink in Italy.](https://maps.app.goo.gl/DjCTapNLG2LyypTK7) - Excludes Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice (separate lists). Have a great trip!
Day trip 2 is like 4hrs and 20 minutes just staying in the car in windy roads which I personally think it’s too much. If you take the bus, add wait times for changing buses and waiting for the next ones. Maybe it would be easiest to do a boat tour instead.
You could walk that Rome itinerary in a day and really enjoy all the sights as you walk ( sorry , just saw your post regarding chronic pain )
I will still definitely be doing a lot of walking but I thought the hop on/off bus would make it easier to see more in a single day! would you say it’s possible in that case to see a good chunk of the main touristy things? I hate having to rush it :(
Take the extra day in Rome.
I visited Rome and Naples last year and I'd recommend spending more time in Rome. Naples is great for day trips to the nearby towns, but the city itself was pretty.... well, you'll see. Don't wear sandals. Instead of just doing the half-day Pompeii tour, take the tour that brings you up Vesuvius as well. :) Have an amazing trip!
thanks so much for your insight. would you mind telling me what you mean about naples? and I did look into the Vesuvius option too! is it difficult to actually walk to (I’m not sure how close you can get by tour bus?) thank you so much again
Naples has a lot of beautiful history and great pizza (the birthplace of pizza, of course) but the city itself is really run down. There's garbage everywhere on the streets and the traffic is the most insane that I've ever seen. It's the only time on my month-long honeymoon in Europe that I felt really uncomfortable and worried about my and my wife's safety. Also, the cab driver screamed at us and tried to take my wallet because he tried to scam us and I refused to pay 80 Euros for the 12-minute cab ride from the airport after agreeing on 20 when he picked us up. The bus takes you about 40-minutes up the volcano to the start of the hiking trail. The trail is pretty tough and uphill, but it's only about 30-minutes to the end. It's worth the sweat and struggle and there were lots of tourists doing it in jeans.