Land at Naples International Airport — allow 45–90 minutes for luggage and passports. For a family, a private transfer to Salerno is the easiest way with luggage and kids; trains are cheaper but require walking with baggage.
Recommended: private airport transfer (door-to-door, ~50–70 minutes) for comfort with family; budget option: Trenitalia Regionale/Intercity to Salerno (35–55 min) from Napoli Centrale and then short taxi to your hotel. Book private transfer in advance on arrival day.
Check in to your Salerno hotel and relax. Good family-friendly options: Grand Hotel Salerno (seafront comfort, family rooms) or Hotel Plaza Salerno (near train station, convenient). Confirm family room and crib options when booking.
Walk the seafront promenade (Lungomare Trieste), visit Salerno Cathedral (Duomo) and the medieval lanes. Great easy first afternoon to stretch legs and introduce kids to Italian city life.
Try a family-friendly trattoria near the Lungomare for fresh seafood or a classic pizza; ask for a local 'margherita' and house special. Sample gelato for dessert nearby. Check restaurant hours (many open 7:00pm onward).
Start with a classic Italian breakfast at a local bar: cornetto and espresso for the adults; many bars open 7:00am. It's quick, delicious, and energizing for a day of walking.
Best: private transfer (approx 40–60 min). Cheaper: regional train to Napoli then Circumvesuviana to Ercolano (longer and requires transfers). Aim to arrive at the Scavi early to avoid crowds.
Explore the remarkably preserved Roman town buried in 79 AD — smaller than Pompeii but often quieter with intact wooden details and mosaics. Book tickets online in advance. Check opening hours (typically around 9:00am–7:00pm in October; confirm before travel).
Lunch at a local pizzeria or seafood trattoria near the archaeological park — try a classic pizza and gelato. Many places open for midday service; verify times.
Drive or take a guided tour to Vesuvius National Park and hike to the crater rim; it's a lunar landscape and offers panoramic views of the Bay of Naples. Guided tours are recommended for families (park access and hike to crater typically 9:00am–5:00pm); wear closed shoes and bring water.
Dine in Salerno: choose a restaurant that does regional Campanian cuisine; finish with a limoncello or a small tiramisù if the chef offers it. Ask for children-friendly menu items (pasta, pizza).
Take a morning hydrofoil or ferry — companies include Alilauro, Caremar, NLG. Schedules vary seasonally; book tickets in advance for peak days. Typical crossing: 1h15m–2h depending on fast or car ferry.
Check into your Ischia hotel. Family-friendly picks: Hotel Regina Isabella (Lacco Ameno) for a more upscale stay, or Hotel Villa Durrueli (Ischia Porto) for central location. Request a family room or connecting rooms if needed.
Walk the seafront, the harbor and visit Castello Aragonese (usually open 9:30am–6:30pm); it’s scenic and historic — check ticketing and opening times before you go.
Take an afternoon cooking class focused on island/Campanian specialties — pasta from scratch, a limoncello making demo or simple seafood dishes — classes usually last 2–3 hours and end with the meal you prepared.
If your cooking class included dinner, enjoy it; otherwise pick a seaside trattoria. Try tiramisù or a lemon-based dessert from an Ischian pastry shop.
Board a private family-friendly boat from Ischia for a full-day coastal tour: route can include Ischia → Procida (optional) → Positano → Amalfi → Vietri sul Mare (for ceramics) and return. Private skipper + fuel recommended for timing and safety. Tours typically run 8–9 hours; pack swimsuits, sunblock and light layers.
Have lunch dockside in Amalfi (fresh seafood or pasta) or enjoy a picnic/meals prepared on board. If you want pistachio pizza, ask your skipper to stop in Minori/Minori area where pastry chef Sal De Riso has a shop and local pistachio specialties are available — check port access first.
Explore Vietri’s colorful ceramic shops and seaside promenades — short walk from the marina. Great for souvenirs and photos. Shops typically open until early evening; confirm seasonal hours.
Early breakfast at hotel, then catch a morning hydrofoil or fast ferry from Ischia to Naples (Molo Beverello or Calata Porta di Massa). Fast ferries take roughly 1h–1h30m. Book tickets in advance and aim for a morning arrival.
Disembark in central Naples; short taxi or walking transfer to the historic center for your food tour. Store luggage at hotel or a luggage facility if needed.
Join a guided food tour that covers espresso/cornetto stops, pizza-by-the-slice, sfogliatella, and gelato — a fantastic way to taste Naples’ specialties including classic pizza (Margherita) and local pastries. Tours usually run 2.5–3 hours; book a reputable small-group operator in advance.
If your food tour didn’t include a full pizza, visit a famous pizzeria — options: L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele or Sorbillo (be prepared for lines). Try a classic pizza and, if available, order a 'pistachio' specialty if the pizzeria offers it — otherwise enjoy a perfect Neapolitan Margherita.
Tour the Catacombs of San Gennaro or San Gaudioso for an atmospheric look at early Christian Naples — book a timed tour (typical visiting windows 9:00–1:00 & 2:30–6:00 but confirm current hours online). This is cooler and educational for older kids; younger children may require supervision.
Stay central (Historic Center/Chiaia) for an easy airport transfer next day; family-friendly picks: Hotel Piazza Bellini or hotels near Napoli Centrale depending on your morning plan.
Finish your stay with a sit-down dinner: order tiramisù for dessert and sample a final local limoncello. If you still want the best pizza, try a second pizzeria experience tonight.
Have a leisurely breakfast at your hotel or nearby café: cornetto and espresso are the classic send-off. If you want one last gelato, many shops open mid-morning.
Quick walk in the historic center for souvenirs (ceramics, limoncello bottles, sweets). Leave 2–2.5 hours for airport transfer given city traffic and security.
Private transfer or taxi to Naples Airport — recommended for a family and to ensure timely arrival for international flights. Leave early to allow for check-in and security.