Ok, I have spent hours on Fodors reading about pros/cons of staying/basing lodging in Amalfi, Sorrento, Positano and am still confused. So hopefuly if I explain my particular situation, someone might be able to closely relate and have close experience.
I will be travelling with my 62 year old mother and my 12 year old daughter. We have 4 nights in the area. Our interests are Capri, Mount Vesuvious/Pompeii, and Amalfi coast area. (From here we head to Rome).
The stumper: where do we base our lodging? Many posts state Sorrento (Until now, I was sure I was staying in Sorrento), followed by Amalfi & Positano. Which is truly the most convenient for what we want to do-all done by public transportation?
My one idea is if the vote is for Sorrento-to hire a private driver for a day to take us to Amalfi. (If this does become the case, does anyone have experience with a company in the area)?
Lodging interests: Hotel, B & B, apartment, doesn't matter. Views are important, and I prefer unique or "breathtaking" if you will. Max budge roughly, $200 per night. However, under that is always a bonus!!!
Thank you in advance for all your expert advice!
Amalfi vs Sorrento vs Positano in June
Recent Activity
View all Europe activity »
- 1 Ideas on best villages in Tyrol
- 2 Ireland Trip - Final Decision
- 3 Vacation rental in Provence
- 4 10 day honeymoon in Italy in Nov
- 5 Britain Ireland and Scotland Tours
- 6 Schiphol to cruise port - luggage problem
- 7
A bit of Scotland, wing mirror casualty, 7 days in London, and a Fodors GTG
- 8 London on a sunny day
- 9
rand versus euro
- 10 Norway, Sweden, but have to make it to Marseille
- 11 Renting an apartment in Edinburgh
- 12 Savona - San Remo - where to spend the night?
- 13 First Timer - Itinerary Help - Europe tour for 22 days
- 14 Sardinia, Italy
- 15 La Samaritaine (Paris): what's happening?
- 16 Which tour company would be best?
- 17 What is the best food in France?
- 18 Rome to Amalfie Coast-10 year anniversary
- 19 1st, 6th or 7th in Paris
- 20 Venice experts--the apartment in Castello or the one in Canareggio
- 21 Chip-and-PIN cards again
- 22 Swiss visit - Mürren for Berner Oberland and Chur? Sargans? for Engadin hub
- 23 Rhine River Intinerary
- 24 Shuttle or taxi from Nice airport to Cannes?
- 25 Train from London to Edinburgh
Hi 3g,
For what you want to do, I think that Sorrento would be most convenient.
>if the vote is for Sorrento-to hire a private driver...<
No need.
Take the ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi - (you can make a stop at Positano, too) and take the SiTA bus back in the evening
Enjoy your visit.
Ira-
Thank you! Since it's most convenient, that's where we will stay. I will keep my lodging search to that area.
Did consider thee ferry...but that sounds fun!
Thank you!
Hi
2 nights in Sorrento to visit Capri and Ischia.Take a ferry from Sorrento to get Amalfi. Private transfer could be expensive. Here try to book a room in hotel located in centre closer to the bus station and docks. Many hotels are in the centre of town without sea view!!!!!
My advice : Hotel Aurora *** - Hotel Marina Riviera**** - Hotel Luna Convento****located along the bay overlooking the sea ....
good luck
Also:
http://www.labussolahotel.it/
Back when we visited the Amalfi, we spent two nights in Sorrento, two in Praiano, and one in Amalfi. Sorrento was the least Italian but the most convenient. My husband and sons liked it the best. (I preferred Amalfi, and Praiano was not that exciting but had breathtaking views of the pricey town of Positano.)
We did pretty much the same things you want to do. Loved Capri. Try not to miss Ravello, the gardens will be gorgeous then.
Hi!
I am going in September and although we will be staying elsewhere, found this place in Sorrento that looks quite nice AND the email exchanges were quick and efficient.
http://www.vrbo.com/276710
Have a nice trip!
For the places you plan to visit, I recommend staying in Sorrento. It is an easy trip from there to Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi coast. The ferry works well for getting to Amalfi and the hydrofoil for getting to Capri. Pompeii is a short ride on the Circumvesuviana.
For accommodation in Sorrento www.booksorrentovillas.com
Definitely Sorrento. Not only is it convenient for all your interests, but it's also a lovely town. Totally agree with Ira's suggestion to take a boat to Positano/Amalfi and the bus back. And if you leave early you can manage to do both those towns (they are quite small) and also Ravello in one day if that is all you have.
For lodging I recommend: Ulisse Deluxe Hostel: Via del Mare, 22 Sorrento, www.ulissedeluxe.com/ per night 69€ double, plus 10€ breakfast, free wi-fi in the lobby( but not in the room), AC, Satellite TV with CNN, mini-bar. Our room didn't have a view (well you could see the water but not really a "view") but I think some rooms did. My full review of it is in my trip report which is at - http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/amalfi-coast-rome-and-croatia-images-of-three-hot-but-wonderful-weeks.cfm
Isabel - I just read your trip report and posted there, but just wanted to again say "Thank You" for renewing my excitement with your pictures and story. I was beginning to get bogged down by overall travel details along with negative comments about Sorrento. You've put the spark back in my planning !
Her photos would excite anyone !
How agile is your mother? Positano is full of stairs. And Amalfi has quite a few once you get away from the "downtown"/beach area.
I watched an elderly woman carry her grocery shopping uphill in Positano. You have to be spry to live in that town when you're old.
Mimar-She does fairly well, as she has been on her own for 6 years since my Dad passed away. She has more energy than me and though retired, I'm sure she accomplishes more physical activity in a day than I do!
We have a place that we found with vacancy with a good price and what I hope to be in a good location. I will be honest, selling her on Sorrento didn't work out so well. This place is 3km from Amalfi and she seems to be happy with that. It's called Casa Torre. The owner seems lovely.
Then we will train to Rome.
I have now changed the itinerary to take us from Venice to Naples via night train. Train & bus to Casa Torre (looks like we will be at Casa Torre around 1400), relax in the area and Amalfi for the afternoon/evening. Day 2, bus to port and boat to Capri-spend day at Capri. Day 3, Ravello, wandering around and relaxing (nothing besides Ravello planned-and don't really want a schedule for this day). Day 4, check out-we are setting up a private driver to take us from Casa Torre to Vesuvious. I think I HAVE to have one trip with a private driver and this seems to be the time to do it.