Amantea? Northern Calabria overnight north of Lamezia?
Mar 10th, 2011, 07:38 AM
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Amantea? Northern Calabria overnight north of Lamezia?
I am trying to plan a driving trip beginning at the airport in Lamezia and continuing north to Maratea, the Cilento coast, and the Amalfi area.
(Details here: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-long-trip.cfm )
We will be arriving from the NY area after two flights, so my original thought, to begin the trip north of Cosenza, at this SlowFood agriturismo near Altomonte http://www.agriturismolefarnie.it/ ---has given me pause. An hour and a half might be too long to drive without sleep the night before.
So......I am looking for ideas for a good place to stay within an hour or so north of the airport. Must have restaurant/trattoria on site or nearby. One idea is the seaside town of Amantea, with a couple of well-regarded eateries. Has anyone on this forum visited Amantea, and is so, what do you think? Charming town? Hotel La Tonnara or at the hotel of Restaurant Clarisse might be good for us, although the former looks short on charm.
Another idea is this agriturismo, listed in SlowFood and in Michelin guide:
Le Carolee, in the town of Pianopoli, also listed in the SlowFood guide:
http://www.lecarolee.com/index.php?idl=en&ids=0
I would love to hear comments, or ideas...many thanks!
(Details here: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-long-trip.cfm )
We will be arriving from the NY area after two flights, so my original thought, to begin the trip north of Cosenza, at this SlowFood agriturismo near Altomonte http://www.agriturismolefarnie.it/ ---has given me pause. An hour and a half might be too long to drive without sleep the night before.
So......I am looking for ideas for a good place to stay within an hour or so north of the airport. Must have restaurant/trattoria on site or nearby. One idea is the seaside town of Amantea, with a couple of well-regarded eateries. Has anyone on this forum visited Amantea, and is so, what do you think? Charming town? Hotel La Tonnara or at the hotel of Restaurant Clarisse might be good for us, although the former looks short on charm.
Another idea is this agriturismo, listed in SlowFood and in Michelin guide:
Le Carolee, in the town of Pianopoli, also listed in the SlowFood guide:
http://www.lecarolee.com/index.php?idl=en&ids=0
I would love to hear comments, or ideas...many thanks!
Mar 10th, 2011, 08:44 AM
#2
Hi eks --
When are you going? Afraid the info I have now would be a little out of date -- I was last in Amantea back in 1971. However, if the stars align properly I will be back for a night or two this May or June and will be happy to share what I've learned.
For what it's worth, the old town was quite charming, the new town sort of bland. When I was there construction was just beginning on the big beach hotels like La Tonnara. At present I plan to stay at Hotel Clarisse.
FD
When are you going? Afraid the info I have now would be a little out of date -- I was last in Amantea back in 1971. However, if the stars align properly I will be back for a night or two this May or June and will be happy to share what I've learned.
For what it's worth, the old town was quite charming, the new town sort of bland. When I was there construction was just beginning on the big beach hotels like La Tonnara. At present I plan to stay at Hotel Clarisse.
FD
Mar 10th, 2011, 11:45 AM
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What a coincidence, FD! I am planning to take this trip in mid- to late-September. It might be a relatively complicated itinerary, since I have to balance the tastes of my two friends with my own....I am not finding much information on these areas of Calabria and Campania, as compared with the more touristed areas.. But I like the idea of getting off the beaten path, at least for part of this trip...
Those big beach hotels do not look charming, to say the least! But for one night, I am sure it would be fine....
Where else do you plan to visit?
Those big beach hotels do not look charming, to say the least! But for one night, I am sure it would be fine....
Where else do you plan to visit?
Mar 10th, 2011, 03:41 PM
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Hi,
My sister and I are going to this area at the end of April. We are staying at the Borgo Posidone in Amantea. I got the hotel through Venere.com There is a web site for this hotel. Google it. It looks fine and with great views, but who knows. We are going to look around this area and I agree there is not a lot of info. My sister found a book travel guide and I tried to call her for the info but she is not available. Try this web site http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/itinera...yrrhenian.html
I am interested to see what this part of Italy is like. When are you going? I will be happy to let you know of our adventures when I get back. If you have any good ideas of what is a must see let me know.
Yipper
My sister and I are going to this area at the end of April. We are staying at the Borgo Posidone in Amantea. I got the hotel through Venere.com There is a web site for this hotel. Google it. It looks fine and with great views, but who knows. We are going to look around this area and I agree there is not a lot of info. My sister found a book travel guide and I tried to call her for the info but she is not available. Try this web site http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/itinera...yrrhenian.html
I am interested to see what this part of Italy is like. When are you going? I will be happy to let you know of our adventures when I get back. If you have any good ideas of what is a must see let me know.
Yipper
Mar 11th, 2011, 01:11 AM
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Yipper: As I wrote above, I plan to go in September. The website you linked is "not found."
What made you choose Amantea for a vacation?
I did buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Travellers-Cal...9838106&sr=1-2
and will try to find this at the library:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Calabria-Ru...9838133&sr=1-1
What made you choose Amantea for a vacation?
I did buy this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Travellers-Cal...9838106&sr=1-2
and will try to find this at the library:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Calabria-Ru...9838133&sr=1-1
Mar 11th, 2011, 07:29 AM
#6
Hi Eks --
Itinerary is still up in the air -- we're juggling a few uncertain elements. This trip is partly a college graduation gift for our son and a lot depends on thew start dates of his post-college employment.
A few days in Rome, a few more in Naples and environs, including the Amalfi Coast (haven't been back in twenty years) then down to Calabria, perhaps as far as Tropea and Pizzo. Think that will take up most of our time.
Itinerary is still up in the air -- we're juggling a few uncertain elements. This trip is partly a college graduation gift for our son and a lot depends on thew start dates of his post-college employment.
A few days in Rome, a few more in Naples and environs, including the Amalfi Coast (haven't been back in twenty years) then down to Calabria, perhaps as far as Tropea and Pizzo. Think that will take up most of our time.
Mar 13th, 2011, 04:20 AM
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That sounds terrific! it will be fun to compare notes as we plan..
Right now I am stuck on the first night: Either a hotel in Amantea, which is 38 minutes from the airport (SUF) and the agriturismo in Pianopoli, which is about 28 minutes from the airport. so choice of inland or seaside... No reviews on the agriturismo but it is mentioned in a few Italian guides and even in Michelin..
From there, we will head for Maratea where I am planning about 3 nights....and then on to the Cilento..
Right now I am stuck on the first night: Either a hotel in Amantea, which is 38 minutes from the airport (SUF) and the agriturismo in Pianopoli, which is about 28 minutes from the airport. so choice of inland or seaside... No reviews on the agriturismo but it is mentioned in a few Italian guides and even in Michelin..
From there, we will head for Maratea where I am planning about 3 nights....and then on to the Cilento..
Mar 13th, 2011, 10:15 AM
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Hi Ekscrunchy and all,
I'm sorry the web site did not work. Try this www.italyheaven.co.uk/calabria/ I hope it works. The travel book my sister bought is Blue Guide Southern Italy. I have not seen it but she says it has a lot of information. The reason we are going to this area is we are considering buying an apartment. My husband and I want to use it in the winter, thus so far south in Italy, and other family members could use it at other times. Then we decided that we know nothing about Calabria and should explore before we make any decisions. This trip is an exploration trip. We are going to look at apartments to see what is available in our price. The more I read the more intrigued I do become. I will report when I return.
Thank you for the information.
Yipper
I'm sorry the web site did not work. Try this www.italyheaven.co.uk/calabria/ I hope it works. The travel book my sister bought is Blue Guide Southern Italy. I have not seen it but she says it has a lot of information. The reason we are going to this area is we are considering buying an apartment. My husband and I want to use it in the winter, thus so far south in Italy, and other family members could use it at other times. Then we decided that we know nothing about Calabria and should explore before we make any decisions. This trip is an exploration trip. We are going to look at apartments to see what is available in our price. The more I read the more intrigued I do become. I will report when I return.
Thank you for the information.
Yipper
Mar 13th, 2011, 12:41 PM
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Yipper: That is fantastic!
I have seen an episode of House Hunters tv program (in the US on HGTV) that shows a family looking at real estate in Calabria (further south than MAratea) and I am really intrigued by your search and hope that you will PLEASE report back since there is almost no information on these places on this forum. I will be fascinated to read ofo your search, what you find, etc etc.
Unfortunately, we have very limited time, so will have only one night in Amantea before driving north to Maratea. But I hope to scout it out and perhaps return in the future to explore further.
I have seen an episode of House Hunters tv program (in the US on HGTV) that shows a family looking at real estate in Calabria (further south than MAratea) and I am really intrigued by your search and hope that you will PLEASE report back since there is almost no information on these places on this forum. I will be fascinated to read ofo your search, what you find, etc etc.
Unfortunately, we have very limited time, so will have only one night in Amantea before driving north to Maratea. But I hope to scout it out and perhaps return in the future to explore further.
