A. Quinn

My fiancee and I are traveling to Italy on our honeymoon at the end of October. We will be landing in Rome and are wondering the best way to get from the airport to Positano. Our plan is to stay in Positano for 4 nights then head up to Tuscany, Florence, and Umbria. Our current plan is to rent a car at the airport and keep it the whole time.

Tony Hughes

<BR>ONLY take a car if you are sure you know what you are letting yourself in for.It's madness on Italian roads, from the small single track ones to the autostradas. It may be convenient for you but it certainly is stressful.

Tom Townsend

Nonsense: Renting a car is great way to learn and experiance the Italian culture. Just returned from 3-weeks in Italy on Saturday. Positano is beautiful. However, parking in a small town like this can be a problem. Ensure that your Hotel has parking, and don't be surprised to pay additional. As much as 30,000 Lira a day for parking. <BR>Yes the Italians are different drivers. But, the biggest obstical you will face is finding you way arounbd the streets. <BR>Definatly not like the U.S. Most the maps are misleading. i.e street signs impossible to locate ( actualy placards on some of the building's ) Onw way street not on the maps. But, thats half the fun. If you want some more info on Positano and Amalfi coast, Sorrento area, e-mail me and I would be glad to share our trip highlights. We also went to Adriatic Coast, PESCARA, Rome, Tivoli, Orvieto, Florence, Grieve in Chianti, Venice, Sorrento, Naples, Positano and Capri.

Robin

Tried to post my reply, but it may have been too long & swallowed up by cyberspace. So, again . . . <BR>Last October I visited Rome & took a 3 day jaunt down to Positano. It’s a charming & exquisitely beautiful town. I loved it! As you may be aware, the most of the Amalfi coast is perched along a cliff. Once you pass through Sorrento, you find yourself along a WINDING, TWISTING, narrow 2 lane road that passes through the cities along the coastline. I didn’t drive in Italy. If you are committed to driving, be forewarned: Italians believe there are no “rules of the road”, just merely suggestions. You can drive (or park) as you’re “supposed to” or feel free to do your own thing. If you’ve ever driven in Boston or in Manhattan, you’ll be okay. I’d strongly consider staying for a night or two in Rome & traveling south via the train. My friend & I took the train from Rome down to Naples (opt for the bullet train – it’s quick, it’s smooth, it’s more comfortable). From Naples, there’s a local train (like a subway train) to Sorrento. And finally, you catch a bus that brings you along the WINDING & TWISTING road into Positano. <BR>We started our journey approx. 10:15 am & arrived in Positano @ about 3:30 pm. If you do drive, I’d estimate a direct road trip will take about 3 hours (???). <BR>They have some beautiful ceramics all along the Amalfi region. I bought (& shipped home) a few great pieces from a store called “Ceramica Casola”. In fact, I think they have a website. They’re located on the edge of town along the main drag (can’t remember the name of the street). We stayed at a charming Bed & Breakfast called “La Fenice”. <BR>

Tony Hughes

Tom Townsend, what a attitude to take. You should allow people to air their views without ridicule. Just because you find it easy to drive in Italy and play at being Mario Andretti it's by no means certain everyone would. I am an advanced driver here in Scotland and even I would be apprehensive driving from Amalfi to Sorrento (or almost anywhere else in Italy). I am all for learning about Italian culture but you have to be alive to appreciate it. I have to say that your message is riddled with contradictions ( and a fair amount of spelling, grammar and syntax errors ) and is generally badly thought out. I am all for people giving their opinion but it has to be constructive.

kam

I agree with the suggestion to take the train, however, since you are on your honeymoon, you might want to consider hiring a car and driver to pick you up in Rome and take you to Positano. On the way you can conveniently stop at Herculaneum and Pompeii. We did this several years ago---I believe the service we used was "Cinque Travel" in Amalfi, but ask your hotel. Certainly while on the Amalfi Coast, it is easier to take the bus or again hire a driver. The rest of Italy is fine to drive, but the hairpin turns and traffic congestion is too much in that area. We go to Italy often and I drive much like a typical Italian (a shock to them to see a woman doing this), but I hate to drive in Rome or on the Amalfi Coast. Congratulations and enjoy driving in Umbria and Tuscany, but be prepared to get lost in Florence (we do despite knowing it quite well!) One handy bit of advice might be if you find yourself totally lost in a city, hire a taxi and follow him to your hotel. After all, it's great to get to know the Italian people but your time is worth something too--to valuable to go around in circles. <BR>