Naples, livorno, civitavecchia on your own?

Hi we're on a cruise around the med April/may time and wondering is it worth the risk doing these ports on our own (we have never been to any)

For Naples we are looking at taking the hydrofoil to sorrento then the train back with a stop at Pompeii on the way..

Is there a train to get to Rome and back and are they frequent, I should add we are here 1st of may which is a bank holiday

As for Livorno we would like to go to Pisa and Florence but not sure is this possible in the time you have on land

Any help much appreciated thanks

Hi we're on a cruise around the med April/may time and wondering is it worth the risk doing these ports on our own (we have never been to any)

For Naples we are looking at taking the hydrofoil to sorrento then the train back with a stop at Pompeii on the way..

Is there a train to get to Rome and back and are they frequent, I should add we are here 1st of may which is a bank holiday

As for Livorno we would like to go to Pisa and Florence but not sure is this possible in the time you have on land

 

Any help much appreciated thanks

Italian trains make all of these possible on your own but will require to do a little research and planning. Much of that can be on these boards.

Naples-we trained on the Circumvesuviana, a local commuter rail to Herculaneum but it went on to Pompei as well. You need to look at timetables for the hydrofoil and train and then decide how much time Sorrento warrants. I would suggest a minimum of 2 hours and more if possible for Pompeii.

The train to Rome is also a commuter but may run less frequently on a bank oil day, as it did on Sun for us. You need to decide what you want to see in Rome as different stations work better for different sites. Also have a Plan-b. Our inbound train was delayed by something on the track so we lopped off one of our attractions to catch the return on time.

Livorno-to Florence is the common run. As we had spent time recently in florence we opted to only go as far as LUcca but did use the train via Pisa. For a single day I would push Florence alone and skip Pisa, but if you decide to stop do it on the return.

Search these boards, check out Rick Steves, etal and you will discover how easy this can be.

Trains to Rome from ship.

Some ships offer a free ( or low cost) shuttle to Citavecchia centre from the port, which is a short trip, or you could get a taxi, but there are trains from Citavecchia ,(which is the usual cruise port) to Rome on a fairly regular basis about every half an hour or so and the length of the trip varies from 1hr to 1 and a half hrs approx, depending on the train. There are toilets on the train and at Citavecchia and Termini stations ( though no paper when I was there!) Stay on the train till the end of the line ( Termini) and work your way back to see the sights from there..Spanish Steps, ,Trevi Fountain, Castle d'Angelo etc. You can use the metro sytem to get to and from some of the sights plus a little walking. or take a tour bus. Do make sure of the times and routes of the tour buses when you buy a pass- you cant get on a yellow bus with a red bus pass for example - we made that mistake first time we went!

Alternatively you can go to see the Vatican. (get off at St Pietro station), I think you would be pushed for time to do both. Make a list of the things you most want to see from 1- 10 and try to see their proximity to one another. When the Pope gives audience the place will be heaving as will the trains.

Do make sure you get back in plenty of time before your ship sails- do research -allow extra time for crowds and train delays, and don't leave it till the last possible train back.

Livorno

On one cruise we chose the ship tour to Pisa but I understand it is perfectly do-able by train. I don't know about Florence.

On another cruise, we stayed in Livorno taking the shuttle from ship to town centre. We walked along the canals looking at the boats and forts and had some delicious pastries and drinks in a tiny local Livorno cafe.

As we enjoyed Livorno, we decided on a later cruise to walk to the famous black and white tiled seaside terrace Terrazza Mascagni and back, stopping at park cafe for beer/loos. There's also a market in Livorno and plenty of shops.

You need to give some careful consideration of what you want to see and do on May 1. That is a major National Holiday and also a 3 day weekend. Many things will be closed in Rome...especially shops. Even the Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel) will be closed for the holiday. Trains will likely be running on a less frequent "Sunday" schedule which would primarily impact some of the early morning trains. You will still be able to use the trains, but will have to pay attention to the schedule.

Hank

Not only will most places be closed on 1st May, but there are often demonstrations. It would possibly be one of the very few occasions I'd take a ship's tour.

Our proposed trip to Livorno on 30th May is as proposed on thread two of the following link. We think it is very doable in a day. Our timings are arrive 7.00 am Depart 7.00 pm

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2442413

For Civitvecchia we are intending to catch the train to Rome using a BIRG ticket which is purchased at the station. It costs 12 euros and provides in addition to the return train to Rome unlimited free travel on buses and metro. WE have done the must see tours of the Vatican and Colesseum which gobble up a lot of time but will be cchecking in at the Spanish Steps (they were closed when we were there last year) and meandering around the Pantheon and Trevi fountain etc. We will get off the train at Ostiense and take the metro into the city. Our return to Civitivecchia we will catch at Terminii station as it is likely to very full and if one gets back on the train at say Ostiense one may have to stand all the way to Civitivecchia. Havent been to Naples so cant help. We thought that Pompeii was overrated, dirty and over commercialised and would give it a miss. Perhaps we were spoiled by going to Ephesus first