Naples to Procida to Battipaglia/Terme or Potenza??

[VictoriaJZ]

I'm picking my husband up at the airport in Rome & we're driving to Naples to stay 2 nights & just see a little of the historical center. I am intrigued by Potenza but also wanted to go to the island of Procida. Since it's close to Naples I'm thinking we could park the car overnight and stay on the island 1 day/night and use public transport or walk and then leave and go further south toward Potenza. So, I'm trying to get an idea of a good 'base' from which to explore for the remaining 3/4 days/nights before we have to go back to Fiumicino in order to fly out on May 7th. I am a photographer so exploration rather than deep immersion may have to suffice on this trip. Or should I skip Procida and head south to find a base??? Thanks!

 

[Jim Zurer]

Not sure I understand your inquiry exactly....are you going to Potenza?

We spent several days in Benevento and used it as a base to explore the Campania back country.

Another (more radical) option is to head inland to Molise and stay in Campobasso, the regional capital. Molise is an largely untouristed area with Roman sites, mountain villages and many interesting attractions. It is just under 4 hours to drive to Fiumicino from there.

 

[VictoriaJZ]

That is precisely my Q == I do want to take photographs in Potenza but, because we have to drive back to the airport to leave the next day, didn't want to stay that far south. So am trying to figure out other options. I hadn't heard of these places so this gives me some good research ideas...Thanks!

 

[Jim Zurer]

If you want to be closer to Rome on your last days, how about the Alban Hills just south of Frascati. Less than an hour from Fiumicino, the area is very scenic with beautiful lakes, traditional hill towns and great food. We like staying in Frascati and venturing out from there but there are some nice country places in the area as well.

 

[VictoriaJZ]

That's a great idea too == the idea of seeing small [non-touristy] villages, enjoying the food and vino and people, this sounds good too = too many choices!!! Not that we can't return to Italy some day [am saving that probably for Sardinia].

 

[JustTravel]

Friends we met in Venice moved to Procida last year after some eight years living in Venice. They are loving it - so different from Venice. Here's an article with photos she has written.

 

[BryanS]

I do want to take photographs in Potenza but

Why? There really isn't much to see in Potenza. It is an administrative town with a lot of post-earthquake build-up. There many towns in the area much more worth the time to visit here in Basilicata.

 

[VictoriaJZ]

I am now in Venice and still trying to figure out where to make our base so we can stay in one place and just travel from there...any thoughts? So many places, so little time. - we will have days in -Naples so want to get away, into country?//

 

[Valerie]

I'd recommend going further south to the Cilento - Agropoli is on the rail line and is on the sea. It's much more attractive and welcoming than either Potenza or Battipaglia. Even better is the town just a bit further south, Santa Maria di Castellabate, but no train service and somewhat clumsy bus service to there. (Much as I'd like to recommend Potenza, being our closest city, I have to say it's really "blah" and doesn't offer much.) If you want to see something spectacular, Matera is the city! But it's further and a bit harder to get to with public transit.

Otherwise, I think Procida would be lovely!

 

[VictoriaJZ]

Thanks so much. — we have a car so will just run around. But this is very helpful...we did visit Matera years ago. Truly stupendous

 

[Valerie]

Sorry, I was confusing the car/public transit issue with another people.

Matera is spectacular and has been becoming more popular (and more developed touristically) in the last few years. If you come into Basilicata, give us a holler!

 

[VictoriaJZ]

No problem. We are in Naples now then will be going to a place in Molise region tomorrow. I haven’t provided info or pics as I was enjoying prosecco in Venice. But maybe now, if time permits.

 

[VictoriaJZ]

Well, we are here in Termoli and enjoying the down time, even with all the rain, but hope to set out tomorrow...but where?? South to Manfredo IA etc or north to Pescara... we like antiquities, historical sites, old hill towns...what with weather and trying to escape Naples, we didn’t have time to explore much— we have until Sun AM when we drive back to Fiumicino to fly out the next day at hope to explore some...and that the weather holds!!!!!