Amalfi Coast
Jun 13th, 2012, 01:01 PM
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Amalfi Coast
My wife and i are looking to spend 14 to 16 days on the Amalfi Coast, in may of 2013. We would like to fly into Naples and rent a car for the entire trip and drive the coast,stopping for 2- 3 nights in each town, is this something that you recomend? We have driven in France and Italy before and love it stopping in quaint towns eating and drinking our way thru our trip, Can you give us some suggestions, We lookng for 4-5 star hotels with A/C and nice beaches and pools,
Jun 13th, 2012, 01:44 PM
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Your concept is enviable but the car can be more hassle than you may want. It is not the driving per se, it is the traffic with busses and trucks on one narrow road that takes all of the fun out of it---especilly for the driver.. Given your time, I would stay at 3 locations and use a combination of private drivers and local SITA busses and ferries:
I would stay in Naples, Capri, and Positano---you pick the days. Here is May of 2009 in images:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481
I would stay in Naples, Capri, and Positano---you pick the days. Here is May of 2009 in images:
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481
Jun 13th, 2012, 01:49 PM
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Excellent idea. Rent the car upon leaving Naples, as you do not need a car in the city and having one would be a liability.
I took a trip last September that included several nights in several different towns, driving from place to place in a rental car. (I like Kemwell.com and Autoeurope.com, both rental car brokers)
The choice of towns would depend on your interests, so if you expand on that you might get more detailed information and suggestions.
It is not easy to find 4-5 star hotels with great beaches and pools, as the area does not have many great beaches, and most of the top hotels are not on the beach in any case. Swimming pools are also not a given. But if you choose Ravello as one of your towns, for example, you could stay at Palazzo Sasso, which has a wonderful pool as well as transportation to their private beach club. You might want to give a price range for your hotels, as prices for 4 star hotels are much more pricey in that area than they might be, for example, in a major city, or another resort area.
With so much time, you could extend the area and include Paestum and parts of the Cilento peninsula. I highly recommend that area if you want to deviate from the beaten tourist track a bit.
Other hotels you could check out include these, but they are only a small fraction of what might suit.
Santa Caterina in Amalfi
Il Covo in Positano
Casa Angelina in Praiano
Luna Convento in Amalfi
Belvedere in Conca dei Marini
NH Il Convento in Amalfi
San Pietro outside Positano has a divine beach area, and a fairly small pool on another level; but it is priced above the 5 star class.
If you can forego the 4-5 star hotels for alight or two, you might want to stay in one of my favorite towns, Cetara, which is probably the gastronomic mecca of the Amalfi Coast.
The Sorrento Peninsula also offers many options for overnight stays; if your want to include that area, we can offer ideas for hotels.
I took a trip last September that included several nights in several different towns, driving from place to place in a rental car. (I like Kemwell.com and Autoeurope.com, both rental car brokers)
The choice of towns would depend on your interests, so if you expand on that you might get more detailed information and suggestions.
It is not easy to find 4-5 star hotels with great beaches and pools, as the area does not have many great beaches, and most of the top hotels are not on the beach in any case. Swimming pools are also not a given. But if you choose Ravello as one of your towns, for example, you could stay at Palazzo Sasso, which has a wonderful pool as well as transportation to their private beach club. You might want to give a price range for your hotels, as prices for 4 star hotels are much more pricey in that area than they might be, for example, in a major city, or another resort area.
With so much time, you could extend the area and include Paestum and parts of the Cilento peninsula. I highly recommend that area if you want to deviate from the beaten tourist track a bit.
Other hotels you could check out include these, but they are only a small fraction of what might suit.
Santa Caterina in Amalfi
Il Covo in Positano
Casa Angelina in Praiano
Luna Convento in Amalfi
Belvedere in Conca dei Marini
NH Il Convento in Amalfi
San Pietro outside Positano has a divine beach area, and a fairly small pool on another level; but it is priced above the 5 star class.
If you can forego the 4-5 star hotels for alight or two, you might want to stay in one of my favorite towns, Cetara, which is probably the gastronomic mecca of the Amalfi Coast.
The Sorrento Peninsula also offers many options for overnight stays; if your want to include that area, we can offer ideas for hotels.
Jun 13th, 2012, 01:51 PM
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I beg to differ about the car; we found it very easy to drive the roads in that area, and you should have no trouble with parking in May. I hate to drive even in the US, but I loved driving the roads of the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento peninsula. The buses, on the other hand,w ere a nightmare--overcrowded, with limited schedules.
Jun 13th, 2012, 04:58 PM
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I agree on fine with the car in May - we have been three times in June and no problem with the driving. Make sure your hotels have parking though because parking is a challenge.
I don't know if you want to move every couple of nights - the AC towns are VERY close together eg 10 miles between Positano and Amalfi. It's a lot of hassle to move so often and I'm not sure what the gain would be.
I don't know if you want to move every couple of nights - the AC towns are VERY close together eg 10 miles between Positano and Amalfi. It's a lot of hassle to move so often and I'm not sure what the gain would be.
Jun 13th, 2012, 05:10 PM
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I think the car in May is fine - the traffic won't be horrendous yet. I don;t know if I would change hotels that often - since sevral of these are very small towns and not far apart as all. I would stick with 4 hotels, one in Sorrento (Naples, Pompeii, Herclan and a larger town with more shops and restaurants), one in Capri (the island is much different at night) and two more - probably one on the coast and one in the hills behind.
But, just so you understand, the beaches are mostly poor (narrow with rocks or pebbles rather than acres of pure white sand) and are often in/near center of town and half-filled with fishing boats or other paraphernalia. Some of the hotels have private beaches - and that's fine, but do check them out - I think a good pool is more important,
For Sorrento look at the Excelsior Grand Vittoria. Sited on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples - public rooms have a hue terrace and some rooms have balconies, it is surrounded by a beautiful garden with a nice pool. And once you walk the two blocks along the garden path you emerge onto the main square of the town (although the hotel is quiet and secluded). We have found nice deals in May but IMHO it's the best in town.
But, just so you understand, the beaches are mostly poor (narrow with rocks or pebbles rather than acres of pure white sand) and are often in/near center of town and half-filled with fishing boats or other paraphernalia. Some of the hotels have private beaches - and that's fine, but do check them out - I think a good pool is more important,
For Sorrento look at the Excelsior Grand Vittoria. Sited on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples - public rooms have a hue terrace and some rooms have balconies, it is surrounded by a beautiful garden with a nice pool. And once you walk the two blocks along the garden path you emerge onto the main square of the town (although the hotel is quiet and secluded). We have found nice deals in May but IMHO it's the best in town.
Jun 14th, 2012, 04:29 AM
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Hi J,
>rent a car for the entire trip and drive the coast,stopping for 2- 3 nights in each town,<
The distance from Sorrento (I know, it isn't on the AC) to Salerno is <60 km.
With a car, you can easily pick a nice base and visit everything from there.
>rent a car for the entire trip and drive the coast,stopping for 2- 3 nights in each town,<
The distance from Sorrento (I know, it isn't on the AC) to Salerno is <60 km.
With a car, you can easily pick a nice base and visit everything from there.
Jun 19th, 2012, 09:15 AM
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I like Bob's plan.
More detailed:
<b>Naples</b> 5 nights (4 nights at the front end and one at the end of the trip)
<b>Capri</b> 2 nights (all you'll need to see EVERYTHING on the island)
<b>Positano or Amalfi</b> the rest of the time. Both are convenient for seeing the entire Amalfi Coast area and each has its positives. Positano is steep and mostly steps, if that's an issue.
Strongest hotel rec is for Naples. Large rooms, super central, charming and very inexpensive (€94 for a standard room and €124 for a deluxe).
http://www.decumani.com/en/
Hotels in Capri will be about double the costs of those in Naples or Positano/Amalfi for a similar room - just a heads up. Would like to know <b> your hotel budget</b> before I offer suggestions for Positano, Amalfi, or Capri.
More detailed:
<b>Naples</b> 5 nights (4 nights at the front end and one at the end of the trip)
<b>Capri</b> 2 nights (all you'll need to see EVERYTHING on the island)
<b>Positano or Amalfi</b> the rest of the time. Both are convenient for seeing the entire Amalfi Coast area and each has its positives. Positano is steep and mostly steps, if that's an issue.
Strongest hotel rec is for Naples. Large rooms, super central, charming and very inexpensive (€94 for a standard room and €124 for a deluxe).
http://www.decumani.com/en/
Hotels in Capri will be about double the costs of those in Naples or Positano/Amalfi for a similar room - just a heads up. Would like to know <b> your hotel budget</b> before I offer suggestions for Positano, Amalfi, or Capri.
Jun 19th, 2012, 10:57 AM
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Sorry Jeff, but I have to ask Bardo something. As we plan to go to Naples at end of December, I had a look at Decumani hotel. It seems very nice, large rooms, good location. Thank you for the link.
Is there an elevator also? Is the area safe?
I was intrigued by pictures showing some very sumptuous rooms. Are they part of the common area of the hotel? Oir can they be visited?
Is there an elevator also? Is the area safe?
I was intrigued by pictures showing some very sumptuous rooms. Are they part of the common area of the hotel? Oir can they be visited?
Jun 19th, 2012, 05:48 PM
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The area is shabby but seems safe enough, although it might possibly be off-putting to someone not used to graffitied urban centers.
(I stayed at the sister hotel, the Palazzo Decumani, a few blocks away but am familiar with the locations of both hotels). Since the OP is seeking luxury, I'm not sure that either of these would suit, however.
Another Naples hotel, in the much more upscale area of Chiaia, is the 4-star Palazzo Alabardieri, which I liked very much. That neighborhood will not seem threatening, although it will be a longer walk to most sights in the historic center.
(I stayed at the sister hotel, the Palazzo Decumani, a few blocks away but am familiar with the locations of both hotels). Since the OP is seeking luxury, I'm not sure that either of these would suit, however.
Another Naples hotel, in the much more upscale area of Chiaia, is the 4-star Palazzo Alabardieri, which I liked very much. That neighborhood will not seem threatening, although it will be a longer walk to most sights in the historic center.
Jun 20th, 2012, 04:44 AM
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Re. Decumani:
It has an elevator. All the rooms in the "Photo Gallery" of the website are either common areas that are part of the hotel or are guest rooms. The area is VERY safe and super convenient in the old center - a block or so from the Santa Chiara Cloister.
It is NOT a shabby area. You may see occasional graffiti, but no more than you would see a block away from the Pantheon in Rome or a block from the Old Town Square in Prague.
Perhaps it's not for Jeff, however. It's very nice but NOT 5 star.
It has an elevator. All the rooms in the "Photo Gallery" of the website are either common areas that are part of the hotel or are guest rooms. The area is VERY safe and super convenient in the old center - a block or so from the Santa Chiara Cloister.
It is NOT a shabby area. You may see occasional graffiti, but no more than you would see a block away from the Pantheon in Rome or a block from the Old Town Square in Prague.
Perhaps it's not for Jeff, however. It's very nice but NOT 5 star.
Jun 20th, 2012, 07:28 AM
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Fly into Naples - stay 4 nights
Ferry to Capri - stay 2 nights
Ferry to Sorrento - pick up car and drive to hotel in Positano or Amalfi for extended stay. Use car to visit entire coastal area.
Then,
a) Return car to Sorrento and train to Naples day before flying home or
b) Keep car and drop off at Naples airport before flight home.
Ferry to Capri - stay 2 nights
Ferry to Sorrento - pick up car and drive to hotel in Positano or Amalfi for extended stay. Use car to visit entire coastal area.
Then,
a) Return car to Sorrento and train to Naples day before flying home or
b) Keep car and drop off at Naples airport before flight home.
