Rome and Pompeii anyone ? (1 Viewer)

[Robert Clark]

Hi Guys
At the end of the month we will be chasing some Autumn sunshine. I'm working on a couple of designation options and will make a final choice when the weather forecasts are available.
One option in considering is returning to Tuscany - we had a great time there last October.
This year I'm wondering if it's worth driving 3 hours from Florence to Rome, just for a couple of days. Then driving another 3 hours from Rome to Pompeii.
Would appreciate any feedback from Funsters who have made this journey or visited these two destinations.

Thanks
Robert

 

[tony_g]

We visited both these destinations in May . Finished up staying 8 days in Pompei (Camping Pompei opposite side of road to ruins same price as ACSI) very convenient also visited Herculaneum, Naples and Amalfi coast by rail and ferry etc. as the roads are completely mad. Went on to Rome and stayed outside the city at Acsi site Camping Tiber again very convenient and nice site. Train in to city takes 20 mins and shuttle to and from campsite to Station. Didn't originally intend to spend so long at either place but there was a lot to see. Also don't miss nearby Orvieto, aire right by funicular up to old town.

 

[magicsurfbus]

For Rome we stayed at Camping Village Flaminio, walked the short distance to the suburban railway station (supermarket on the way) and caught the train into the city centre and back - all very easy.

For Pompeii and Herculaneum we stayed in Sorrento at Camping International Nube d'Argento and took the train to the sites. For Herculaneum you get off at the 'Ercolano Scavi' stop and walk a short distance through the modern town. For Pompeii the train deposits you outside the gate. The advantage of Sorrento is a) it's not too close to Naples, b) it's quite pleasant in itself, and c) you can visit the Amalfi coast and Capri easily from there as well. The road from the A3 Autostrada to Sorrento is busy, and at times a bit mad, but worth the effort.

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[Brisey]

Both cities are well worth a visit. We stopped at Camping Tiber for our visit to Rome and at Nube dArgento, Sorrento for our vist to Naples. Please, please take care of your personal possessions when walking around or traveling on public transport in Rome, street crime is rife.
Brisey.

 

[magicsurfbus]

I should add that Herculaneum is a smaller site than Pompeii, so you may need less time there. Pompeii will easily fill a whole day. Most of the small finds are in a museum in Naples.

 

[Chockswahay]

it's such a long way away, surely quicker and easier to fly there and stay in a hotel?? Italian roads are a nightmare

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[magicsurfbus]

it's such a long way away, surely quicker and easier to fly there and stay in a hotel?? Italian roads are a nightmare

We've flown to Sorrento and Rome, and driven there in the MH too. We preferred the driving by far, which was about a million times less boring and dehumanising than flying and hotels. Italian dual carriageways are no different to French dual carriageways - it's only in cities where Italian drivers become excessively pushy.

We drove to Sorrento in 5 days from NW England, crossing the Alps into Italy via the non-tunnel route through Montgenevre and stopping one night in Lucca. It was worth the effort just for the Alpine scenery never mind all the rest. After Sorrento we drove back up to Rome as part of the gradual return trip northwards.

 

[Robert Clark]

Thanks for the feedback guys - plans now made
A mixture of Aires and Fattore Amico farms/wineries in Tuscany, then down to Rome and Sorrento (for Pompei)
Fingers crossed for the weather at the end of the month!

Regards
Robert

 

[hilldweller]

Sorrento (for Pompei)
Robert

Sorrento is an utter delight. Make sure you go down to the old harbour.
Don't miss Herculaneum. There are houses there you could move into now, one even has beds, gives a much better impression of rich Roman life.
And Capri, mega glitzy and once where the Roman Empire was ruled from.

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[Robert Clark]

Sorrento is an utter delight. Make sure you go down to the old harbour.
Don't miss Herculaneum. There are houses there you could move into now, one even has beds, gives a much better impression of rich Roman life.
And Capri, mega glitzy and once where the Roman Empire was ruled from.

Thanks Brian, will certainly add Capri to the list when we're in Sorrento.

 

[Forestboy]

Both places definitely worth visiting Rome is our favourite European city campsites already mentioned.
Go and enjoy.

it's such a long way away, surely quicker and easier to fly there and stay in a hotel?? Italian roads are a nightmare

Why would anyone with a motorhome ever choose to fly, hopefully I'll never fly again. Modern day flying is a horrendous experience.
Italian roads are wonderful just drive lkke an Italian then it works. Love riding my motorbike in Italy anything goes.

 

[magicsurfbus]

On Capri there's the Grotto Azzuro - a sea cave in the cliff which is only accessible by boat. The sunlight filtering in through the narrow entrance hole illuminates the water with a weird blue light. Very unusual and worth a trip, provided you don't mind bobbing around in small boats.

In Rome, once you've seen the Colloseum and the Forum, don't miss the Pantheon.

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[OldAgeTravellers]

Hi Robert, we stayed at Happy Camping, ASCI approved, nice small site with free shuttle to the station. Get a €1.5 ticket and it will take you anywhere in Rome as it is timed.
We went to Camping Tiber but too many midges and dogs howling from across the river.
For seeing Rome sights download the "Rick Steve's" app for guides around Europe. https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe fantastic if you have a tablet or Smart Phone get a splitter and two sets of earphones and he directs you around many of the sights. His one on the Sistine Chapel is amazing and saved us three hours queuing. Book online costs an extra €4 each and you also skip the queues. We left Italy two days ago, now in Croatia. The driving in Italy is now not so bad as they have reduced all the speed limits by about 20 kph below what they should be but driving is very slow but the Autostrada are very cheap it cost us €32 for about 380 km. from the Alps to Rimini and probably saved that in fuel. From Venice to Slovenia cost €11. If you have time go to Venice as well you can park in Venice €21 for the first 12 hours €16 per 12 hours or part after that with free electric hookup and water, didn't find dumping. It cost as much plus the fare over to Venice last year camping on the mainland. It is just a half hour walk into the city or you can take the people mover for €1.50 each. Best to get there just before midday to be sure of a space or else park with the cars for same price but without hookup.
I personally think at least three days for Rome one for Pompeii half for Herculanium three or four for Venice. if you do Venice book the Free walking tour online it is free but both times we have been with them we have given a good tip. freetourvenice.com do it as soon as you get there and it is a very good introduction to the Venice you wouldn't see otherwise then get a two or three day pass for the Water Buses and walk and walk.
Very much worth the drive. Even if you only do two or three days in Rome and Pompeii.
Steve

 

[magicsurfbus]

The driving in Italy is now not so bad as they have reduced all the speed limits by about 20 kph below what they should be..

Presumably aimed at the large number of Italian motorists who instinctively drive at 20kph above what it says on the signs. A clever piece of thinking by their Department of Transport.

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

Yes but an absolute nightmare if you vigilantly stick to the speed limits. You become a major cause of bunching with lunatics overtaking at the wrong place and a three mile tailback behond you.
But, everyone is so much slower, but it takes an age to get anywhere.
I half expected to get a ticket for NOT SPEEDING!!

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[Forestboy]

Try driving like the locals it works, you won't have any problems then, after all it is their country.

 

[PenelopePitstop]

We went to Italy in Autumn 2008 and spent 6 weeks wandering.

4 nights in Camping Fusina in Venice - close to the ferry.
Amazing city - we should have stayed longer!

6 nights at Camping Spartacus in Pompeii - excellent centre for exploring - wonderful day trips.
1 day on open top bus around Sorrento
1 day on the boat to Capri
1 day on the normal service bus along the Amalfi coast - awesome!
1 day wandering the ruins of Pompeii
1 day in Naples

It's also possible to take a bus up Vesuvius - we had done that on a previous trip.

6 nights at Happy Camping in Rome - wonderful city.
Train into the city every day wandering and exploring.

 

[Judge Mental]

We go to italy every summer and roads are detoriating all the time. They really are poor of main routes.....

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[sciac2001]

it's such a long way away, surely quicker and easier to fly there and stay in a hotel?? Italian roads are a nightmare

I will second that! Just travelled down the whole Adriatic coast to where we are today, Otranto. Intended to visit some out of the way places off the main (non-motorway) roads. Forget it! The state of the roads are a national disgrace for Italy. Unable therefore to spend time (and badly needed money for the local economies) at any of these towns. Has spoilt our Italian tour somewhat as we had planned to overwinter in the country but after only 2 weeks are heading back up north (exclusively motorways again) and will head to Espana again.
Ps:Italians are such a rude obnoxious lot in the main too. No manners, no warm welcomes, no gratitude for visiting their premises. Yuck! Exercised our recently found attitude to simply walk out of any establishment that did not show us any respect. Today makes 7 in 2 weeks!
Pps: have never been in a country where the guides to aires etc are so erroneous. Went to 4 which were simply not there any more.

 

[Robert Clark]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys - despite a shaky start this morning due to the closure of the Channel Tunnel, we're now en route to Italy and have just left Dover in the ferry
The adventure begins !

 

[Robert Clark]

I should add that Herculaneum is a smaller site than Pompeii, so you may need less time there. Pompeii will easily fill a whole day. Most of the small finds are in a museum in Naples.

What's MH parking like at Herculaneum?
We're planning on stopping there on route

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[magicsurfbus]

I'm not sure about local parking - we took the train from Sorrento. Herculaneum is in a large hole (Scavi) in what is now a tightly-packed suburb of Naples called Ercolano. Whilst not inner city it's certainly not affluent. I'd be a bit wary of street parking outside any designated areas - I think there's a smallish parking area attached to the site but I don't know about height barriers.

 

[mustaphapint]

An extract from my record of our trip down through Italy in a 2CV last Autumn. Hope you have a great trip.

Having driven motorcycles and a rented car in India I thought I was well prepared to drive in Italian traffic. Nothing prepares you for the chaos and stress of driving in and around Naples and Sorrento. This is far more manic than anything I encountered in India. The area around the base of Vesuvius is unbelievably busy with cars, scooters and motorbikes, not to mention the suicidal pedestrians. Cars pull out in front of you, turn across your path, stop suddenly in the middle of the road if they see someone they want to talk to, open car doors into the path of oncoming traffic without looking, all the while surrounded by scooters weaving in and out of the traffic at breakneck speeds. There is no point in waiting for a gap in the traffic because there never is one, you just have to push yourself into the flow and assume someone will give way for you. Any hesitation or failure to make progress results in a cacophony of angry horns beeping at you. Speed limits, no overtaking signs, stop signs and solid white lines are totally ignored. Every other car driver or scooterist appears to be on their mobile phone, lighting a cigarette, or grooming their hair or moustache. And when away from the coast and into the hills around Sorrento the chaotic traffic has to be coped with in addition to the first gear hills, hairpin bends which need a 3 point turn and tracks so narrow that the undergrowth is brushing both sides of the car. Albert survived all this today without a scratch and conquered Vesuvias, or at least as far as they would let us go with him. We left Albert parked with the Euroboxes while we hiked the 2 or 3 k to the crater summit. The crater is much smaller and much deeper than we were expecting, but is clearly seen from the crater edges. There are fantastic views of the bay of Naples and the surrounding district which also show just how densely populated the whole area is. Tomorrow is another day and if we can brave the Sorrento traffic again we will try for a boat ride to Capri.

 

[magicsurfbus]

There is no point in waiting for a gap in the traffic because there never is one, you just have to push yourself into the flow and assume someone will give way for you. Any hesitation or failure to make progress results in a cacophony of angry horns beeping at you. Speed limits, no overtaking signs, stop signs and solid white lines are totally ignored.

The advantage of driving a MH over a 2CV around Sorrento is that it's BIG, and the average Fiat Panda driver will respect your size if nothing else. As you say, you learn very quickly to push push push. Doesn't stop the 14 year old scooterists from going underneath you or up your ladder and over your roof given half a chance, but at least you can hold your own with the cars. It's still worth all the mental challenge to get to Sorrento though.

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[robnchris]

At Pompeii don`t get involved with the organised tours, they just rush you through.

Buy a tour guide book and take your time there is so much to see that the tours just skate through.

 

[magicsurfbus]

At Pompeii don`t get involved with the organised tours

Couldn't agree more, and I work as a tour guide in this country.

You will never have your Russell Crowe 'My name is Gladiator' moment in the amphitheatre arena if you're surrounded by others all doing the same. You should explore Pompeii in the same way you'd explore any town (although it's understood that in most other towns you wouldn't normally include the brothel).

 

[Judge Mental]

An extract from my record of our trip down through Italy in a 2CV last Autumn. Hope you have a great trip.

Having driven motorcycles and a rented car in India I thought I was well prepared to drive in Italian traffic. Nothing prepares you for the chaos and stress of driving in and around Naples and Sorrento. This is far more manic than anything I encountered in India. The area around the base of Vesuvius is unbelievably busy with cars, scooters and motorbikes, not to mention the suicidal pedestrians. Cars pull out in front of you, turn across your path, stop suddenly in the middle of the road if they see someone they want to talk to, open car doors into the path of oncoming traffic without looking, all the while surrounded by scooters weaving in and out of the traffic at breakneck speeds. There is no point in waiting for a gap in the traffic because there never is one, you just have to push yourself into the flow and assume someone will give way for you. Any hesitation or failure to make progress results in a cacophony of angry horns beeping at you. Speed limits, no overtaking signs, stop signs and solid white lines are totally ignored. Every other car driver or scooterist appears to be on their mobile phone, lighting a cigarette, or grooming their hair or moustache. And when away from the coast and into the hills around Sorrento the chaotic traffic has to be coped with in addition to the first gear hills, hairpin bends which need a 3 point turn and tracks so narrow that the undergrowth is brushing both sides of the car. Albert survived all this today without a scratch and conquered Vesuvias, or at least as far as they would let us go with him. We left Albert parked with the Euroboxes while we hiked the 2 or 3 k to the crater summit. The crater is much smaller and much deeper than we were expecting, but is clearly seen from the crater edges. There are fantastic views of the bay of Naples and the surrounding district which also show just how densely populated the whole area is. Tomorrow is another day and if we can brave the Sorrento traffic again we will try for a boat ride to Capri.

Loved this, but have to say safer to self drive the India? find hard to comprehend!lol. Have been to India 3 times and would never dream of self driving there! Could give lots of examples of why not. How about driving down a motorway and a truck coming towards you in fast lane on your side of barrier? (yes just like in marigold hotel movie)

Italy's s piece if piss in comparison, no good being a shrinking violet.......
Cites difficult sure, Spanish or French city's no better...all have more accident's then us for sure... India up there in the among highest death rate stats

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate

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