Hi Megan!  The amalfi coast is quite vast and not as easy to navigate as the city of Rome (but I'll assume you'll have a car?)   If you only have a total of 5 days, then yes i think 1.5 days in Rome would suffice...enough time to see the major sites and have a traditional roman meal.  Of course there is a lot more that could be seen and done in Rome such as the Jewish quarters, and Trastevere/Campo dei Fiori... but you can save that for your next trip!   Pompei will probably take the better half of a day as to go through the archeological site takes some time - to witness the human remains and how they are conserved in ash is mind blowing.  In Amalfi you can also consider a day trip to the beautiful island of Capri, and experience the Blue Grotto.  Out of the various towns that make up the Amalfi Coast (around 13 if I'm not mistaken), my favorites are Vietri sul Mare and Cetara, they are the less touristy of them all really allowing you to get a sense of the culture and it's locals.  Veietri sul Mare is famous for its ceramics .... whereas  Cetara produces a special type of Anchovy Oil named "collatura d'alici".  This oil is used to make a traditional pasta dish that is delish (and i dont even like anchovies lol).  So I suggest to start in Rome ... spend 1.5 days there...go to Naples early afternoon on the second day and enjoy a stroll in this very colorful city.  I suggest a walk down the boardwalk until reaching Castel dell'Ovo which  is on the gulf of naples -  from this point you can even see Mt. Vesuvio if it's a clear enough day! Naturally you must squeeze in a traditional Pizza Napoletano, as well!  In the morning leave for Pompei, spend the morning there and then down through the Amalfi Coast in the afternoon.  Two days on the amalfi coast between the various towns and maybe a visit to the island of Capri which you can get to from Sorrento. On a side note, my favorite island of the Campania region is Ischia...which is another fascinating Island that doesnt get as much press as Capri - but some would consider even more enchanting!  They have incredible natural hot springs that locals in the summer time go to to boil potatoes and eggs as the water in some areas gets as high as 80 degrees. Ischia is north of Capri so you can reach it easily from Naples..it's about an hour boat ride.

If you need hotel recommendations let me know =)

Buon Viaggio!

ps - here's a picture of Vietri sul Mare from a distance from a trip i took last summer.

Posted Jun 14, 2011

If it were me I'd spend more than one day in Rome and skip Naples entirely, there are other parts of the coast that are much nicer!!

Posted Jun 17, 2011

Even without a car it is possible to see the Amalfi. There's a public bus that goes from Sorrento along the coast and frankly, I'd rather take the bus than drive that road! You can take a small train from Naples to Sorrento (I think it is called the Circumvesuvio), which also stops in Herculaneum and Pompeii. From Rome to Naples, I am pretty sure there is a high speed train--and on your limited time, it's worth paying for it.

A day in Rome really isn't enough, but throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain and wish that you will return.

Posted Jun 14, 2011

Rome in summer can be unbearable, so it depends on when you go, while the coast is always rewarding.  Still, you can't really go to Italy and not spend a few days in the most classical city on earth, now can you? Two or three days is a good investment.  One is too short.  Watch your pockets.  Walk as though you know where you're going.

ps Naples can be very frustrating or very rewarding.  It's not an easy city to navigate by an stretch of the imagination.  Others are going to disagree with me, but Naples is not for the unadventurous.  

Posted Jun 14, 2011

You should do both. Rome is not to be missed. My favorite city in the world. Take a fast train to Naples and take the boat to Capri - truly magical. Both Rome and Capri will give you an incredible Italian experience. Next trip....Toscana. You're certain to return to Italy. One trip iis never enough!

Posted Jun 14, 2011

I took almost the identical trip in 2004. A day and a half in Rome and six days on the Amalfi coast. From the sounds of it, you already have you mind made up that Amalfi is where you want to spend most of your time. If that is the case you can see a lot of the most appealing attractions in Rome in a day and a half. We walked the whole day and made it to the Vatican, Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, random churches/cathedrals, historic districts, ate gelato along with other good italian food and went out at night. I don't think with a  week in any large city you really get the full experience, so do both. 

Make sure to stop at Atrani if you can (on the map below). It's a much more quaint version of Amalfi with one small square and a cool walk up through the village. The whole scenery there is really amazing. Lemon farms terraced along the hill side, homes built right into the cliffs and families running small businesses. We rented scooters which was a blast but as someone mentioned above, the road are pretty crazy and windy. 

Enjoy it...it's amazing, truly. 

Posted Jun 14, 2011

I found Sorrento to be a great place to base my travel from, a few years ago. Public and organized tour transportation is available to Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi coast. You can return to a fun town each evening after adventure filled days.

Posted Jun 15, 2011

I did just spend one day in Rome.  We started in Sorrento, stayed two nights in Rome (one full day) and then on to Florence.  I really wish I could have spent more time in Rome, but overall the trip was wonderful.  I got to see the Vatican, the Pope, the Coliseum,  and the Spanish Steps.

In my opinion, whatever way you choose, it will be great.

Posted Jun 18, 2011

Megan, it depends on what sort of a trip you want. Rome is city densely packed with history, art, food and contemporary design. Sorrento/Amalfi Coast is a much more relaxed trip. I would do Rome before Sorrento/Amalfi Coast, but it depends on the kind of trip you want to have.

It also depends on the time of year you're going. Amalfi Coast was gorgeous in January when I was last there and the roads were empty, but I also didn't feel the need to spend a ton of time since much of the allure of that area is the nice weather and sun. I've been to Rome in the middle of Summer and Winter and, while I liked it in Summer, I LOVED it in Winter.

Posted Jul 31, 2011

Whenever you limit your time in Italy, you're going to have to accept that you're going to miss things.  The good news is that no matter what you do, you'll be experiencing something beautiful and magical.  My suggestion is don't try to fit too many things into one day, though you may want to.  Take your time, slow down for meals, enjoy the place your in, instead of rushing about.  

Both Rome and Almalfi are just gorgeous.  No matter what you choose to do, you'll have a good time because they both have a lot to offer.  If you do go to Rome, my suggestion would be to skip the Vatican, see St. Peter's, the Roman Forum and the Parthenon, and have a good meal.  

While on the Almafi Coast, I would'nt pass up a chance to go to Capri.  It is a BEAUTIFUL island about a 45 minute boat ride from Sorrento. There is a boat ride you can take around the island to a place called "The Blue Grotto", which was one of my favorite things I did in Europe.  

Posted Jun 26, 2011

more amalfi, less rome is good

substitute sorrento for naples

Posted Jun 26, 2011