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50 and Fabulous in 2015---need help planning my trip to Amalfi, FINALLY

50 and Fabulous in 2015---need help planning my trip to Amalfi, FINALLY

Old Feb 23rd, 2014, 05:37 PM
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50 and Fabulous in 2015---need help planning my trip to Amalfi, FINALLY

We have been trying to get to the Amalfi Coast for what seems like forever. Next year is a big birthday, so it's time to check this one off the bucket list at last!

Us---mid 40s and Fifty, still in good shape----climbing is no problem
What I need advice on....

What month? It absolutely won't be August. I am thinking September? Is early October too late? May?

I want to stay somewhere with a sweeping view and a little terrace, maybe. I don't think we will spend time at the hotel pool (but maybe if it's fabulous, we might have to). Open to an apartment or hotel.

Not looking to swim in the ocean, but would like to see the Blue Grotto. Our trip won't hinge on it, if it isn't possible, we'll survive.

Do we stay in one location and which city do you recommend? Or, do we mix it up between two locations?

We want to see beautiful things, relax, drink prosecco, maybe shop a little....we may add Rome for a few days to the end of the trip. Just to revisit some our favorites...maybe.

What did you do or see in the area that we can't miss? I know it's early but the great accomodations get snapped up early...we want this to be a fantastic, unforgetable trip.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2014, 05:50 PM
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Try looking at some of kybourbon's , annhig, or bob the navigator posts if you don't get instant feedback. They seem to be a fount of information on all things Italian. Have fun.
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Old Feb 23rd, 2014, 07:20 PM
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I was glad I went late May - just short of the crowds of high season, comfortable weather, lots of flowers.

If you want to see the Blue Grotto, then you would do well to consider at least 2 locations, Capri (or Anacapri) and somewhere on the Amalfi Coast. There are at least two reasons to consider staying on Capri: (a) it is much more magical after daytrippers leave and (b) one cannot be certain of getting to see the Blue Grotto on any given day, so if your first day doesn't work, an overnight stay gives you a second chance.

I loved my stay in Ravello. Many Fodorites find it too remote.

FWIW, I found the Rough Guide to the area the most useful of the half dozen guide books I used when planning my trip to the area.

Happy Birthday and happy travels!
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Old Feb 23rd, 2014, 07:21 PM
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We rented a house in Positano that had a great view and a wonderful terrace. One place I would love to back to is Ravello. Ferry service was great from Positano to Capri and Amalfi. We went in mid September and the weather was great. Oh, and the gelato by the boat pier was fabulous. Have fun!
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 01:52 AM
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We are going in May and are basically following flygirl's trip advice.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-may-2013.cfm#
She mentioned that her guide thought September and October were her favorite times of the year there.
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 02:34 AM
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Hi Denise:

You will enjoy the Amalfi Coast inmensely, no doubts.
We were there in september and the weather was almost perfect, warm, but no really hot.
Our base was Amalfi, and we found it perfect, but many others will tell you the perfect place to stay is Sorrento or Positano, but of course, Sorrento is not on the A.C.
You cannot miss Ravello, Amalfi, Positano, the route along the sea from Positano to Amalfi, Pompeii, Capri Island, and in Anacapri, the most beautiful Church, with a ceramic floor.

This is the report from our trip:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...1-to-oct-3.cfm

We were perfectly happy at our hotel in Amalfi, but this is not the hotel you are searching, try with booking . Cm or tripadvisor, there are many great hotels .

Some highlights: coffe at Andrea Pansa, gelato at Savoia, also baba and millefoglie...antipasto at ever restaurant...
Enjoy your stay! Sorry Chaz......no starbucks on the Amalfi Coast....
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 07:23 AM
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Denisea:

Turning 50 calls for a big splash out and this is the place!

http://www.sirenuse.it/

We stayed next door at the Marincanto which was great (and cheaper as well) but had cocktails every night on the terrace at Le Sirenuse. Truly fab! Spectacular dining room lit by hundreds of candles.
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 08:13 AM
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I have been to Positano in both June and September and found both to be lovely.

We rented an apartment at www.villalesirene.com and thoroughly enjoyed it. Having wine on the terrace in the evening watching the sea and the town was magical.
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 08:31 AM
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Hi denise,

until last week I hadn't been to Sorrento or the Amalfi coast for about 40 years and last week was spent staying only in Sorrento so I really can't claim that much expertise. However, for what it's worth, as ever the best place to stay depends on what YOU want and like.

Sorrento - seems to be a pretty good base for exploring the area, with lots of possible day trips. Public transport is particularly good with trains, boats and buses to virtually anywhere you'd want to go. for example it's about 40 mins to Pompeii and just over an hour to Naples on the train, and 30-40 mins to Capri or Amalfi on the boat. buses take longer but they get to more remote places. and in the evening there are a number of restaurants to eat in, shops to wander around, a cathedral, gardens and museums to look at. The flip side is that because of all these advantages, and it's lovely location right on the gulf of Naples, it's very popular and busy in the summer months. As late in September as you can manage might be a good idea.

Amalfi - though its environs are large, it's centre is pretty small, with not a lot to see [though the cathedral was very nice, and the cloisters should be lovely by all accounts though they were shut when we were there] and most accommodation is going to require a lot of walking up and down to the harbour or restaurants. [or more likely, down and up!] In season it must be overwhelmed with people during the day, so I can see an argument for staying one, possibly two nights there but no longer.

Ravello - never been but I'd want to look at access to other places if I were going to stay for longer than a night or two.

Naples - I've never stayed overnight, but our excursion last week demonstrated that there's loads to see - far more than you can do in a day. so a 2-3 night stay might be a good idea if you are keen on museums and art, but I'd want to stay in a "good" area as some of it looks VERY dodgy.
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 08:49 AM
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I have stayed a week twice at Onda Verde. Its in Praiano, halfway between Amalfi and Positano and right in the coast road. Small,with perfect views and a good restaurant.
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 01:46 PM
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You guys are good...exactly the type of info I am looking for.

Weekender - Le Sirenuese is a long time fantasy hotel for me....you are right on track and it sounds so nice! Dining by candlelight makes 50 look much more fabulous! Who doesn't look better by candlelight. ;-)

Annhig- Naples is one of those places where you hear some good AND some bad. We would likely fly into Naples and out of Rome if we decide to go to Rome. Really appreciate your thoughts on a base.

thanks all-great info (keep it coming) and this gives me a place to start with all this. I am counting on you all to help me make this THE trip of trips!
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 01:57 PM
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We are staying across the street from Le Sirenuese and I've been e-mailing them re a restaurant reservation. I have been really impressed with the prompt and helpful responses.

The dining room looks stunning!!
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 04:12 PM
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Will be looking for a T/R Judy!!! Do you mind saying where you will be staying?
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 05:01 PM
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Sure, Denise. We are staying at http://alcioneresidence.com/index_eng.html. Flygirl has several balcony view photos in her trip report. She did say to get one of the suites which have better views than the rooms......will let you know how we like it.
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 05:57 PM
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Thanks, Judy. Exploring all the options!

jelopez---Chaz did survive in Rome without Starbucks and was very spoiled by the coffee and espresso at our hotel. We won't tell him about Starbucks until we are there and he is in love with the views!!
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Old Feb 24th, 2014, 07:56 PM
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Hi Denise

Myself, family and friends have all stayed at the Hotel Poseidon in Positano and we are all big fans. It's a good 4* with great service and incredible food. Sweeping views and small balconies big enough for a table and two chairs, and a wonderful pool if you are so inclined.

There was music most nights on the pool terrace outside the restaurant, and one night a tenor, which was fabulous.

We were there in October and swam in the pool everyday.
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Old Feb 25th, 2014, 02:25 PM
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What? Are you kidding...sounds like something out of a movie! Can't wait to check it out! Thanks, tuscan. 50 won't get here fast enough, now.
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Old Feb 25th, 2014, 03:26 PM
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How many days do you have for your trip?

I've been to the area late March, early April, late June, late August, mid-Sept. and late Sept. By late March, many things were already in bloom (lemons on the trees), but much too cool to swim although I didn't need a jacket during the day. Ditto early April. Late June was very hot as was August. August and September were both very hazy which made the views less attractive. September can get a bit cool also at times. Some ferries used to cut back service mid-Sept.
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Old Feb 25th, 2014, 03:42 PM
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denisea: I swear it was something out of a movie. The twinkling lights from our balcony, all across the hills and down the coast, were just too gorgeous. The tenor was just too much, and he was handsome, too. A very gorgeous Italian guy, with an expensive sweater tied around his shoulders, singing for the guests for an hour. There was a sort of social director/event person at the hotel who arranged this for the guests.

I had every kind of food served to me poolside, which was fun, but the breakfast overlooking coast, and the dinner on a gorgeous candlelit terrace, were very special. Four of us had dinner a second night.

No place is perfect, and I have read a poor review of their spa (although it wasn't new), but as far as my limited luxury experiences go, this was stellar.
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Old Feb 25th, 2014, 06:21 PM
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Loved the Amalfi Coast!!! We were there for a week and decided on Praiano as a home base. We stayed in a beautiful place called Villa Adalgisa that was literally perched on a cliff over the fishing village. There were 6 of us, so 3 bdrms was perfect! Took a boat tour to Capri, which was fun, even though it did sprinkle on the way there. It was a magical week and the sweeping views of the Mediterranean...just amazing! Enjoy your trip!
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