Cinque Terre VS Amalfi Coast
Apr 30th, 2010, 09:42 AM
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Cinque Terre VS Amalfi Coast
I've gone back and forth about adding Sorrento to my trip. I'm absolutely in love with the landscape, and pompeii and the grottos are probably one of the most exciting things I have to see on my list ( for me personally ) but it's really out of the way and it seems like a pain in the butt to get to. A few people have suggested the Cinque Terre which I have looked at and even though it seems pretty magical as well... it's just not doing it for me like the Amalfi Coast is.
I was hoping on some opinions about both. Is there anything equally as exciting as the blue grotto in any of the towns along the Cinque Terre??
I pretty much just want to compare and weigh out my options. So far, even with it being way out of the way Sorrento is winning.
Also if you can suggest a french beach town that is comparable ( or any other beach towns ) then please feel free to share!
If you'd like to see my trip to give you a better idea : http://www.eurotrip.com/trip/amsterd...e-minus-london
I was hoping on some opinions about both. Is there anything equally as exciting as the blue grotto in any of the towns along the Cinque Terre??
I pretty much just want to compare and weigh out my options. So far, even with it being way out of the way Sorrento is winning.
Also if you can suggest a french beach town that is comparable ( or any other beach towns ) then please feel free to share!
If you'd like to see my trip to give you a better idea : http://www.eurotrip.com/trip/amsterd...e-minus-london
Apr 30th, 2010, 09:49 AM
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The Amalfi Coast as a base offers so so many sweet day trips - like Capri (Blue Grotto), Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast towns - reached by boat or frequent buses - a thrilling bus ride along the cliff's edge - and even Naples - an old-world city that looks like Italian towns did when i first went to Italy 40 years ago - and climbing Mt Vesuvius for starters
The Cinque Terre is five often hopelessly overrun with tourists in high season and a hiking trail or train line or boats between them. There are some nice day trips from there like to Portofino but not as many great ones as Amalfi. Sorrento would be a great base from which to hop both along the Amalfi Coast itself and to take boats to Capri or Naples or the train to Pompeii and or Heruculeam (sp?)
The Cinque Terre is five often hopelessly overrun with tourists in high season and a hiking trail or train line or boats between them. There are some nice day trips from there like to Portofino but not as many great ones as Amalfi. Sorrento would be a great base from which to hop both along the Amalfi Coast itself and to take boats to Capri or Naples or the train to Pompeii and or Heruculeam (sp?)
Apr 30th, 2010, 04:06 PM
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oh, i got carried away about Sorrento and didnt finish.
having been to CT also, I think CT is better than Amalfi.
We travel in Sept and find that it wasnt too crowded and we loved our apartment overlooking the Golf of Poets in Corniglia. The CT is remote and just feels wild in a wonderful way.
amalfi is alot more crowded and has the cars and traffic that CT doesnt have. a nice change from the real world.
having been to CT also, I think CT is better than Amalfi.
We travel in Sept and find that it wasnt too crowded and we loved our apartment overlooking the Golf of Poets in Corniglia. The CT is remote and just feels wild in a wonderful way.
amalfi is alot more crowded and has the cars and traffic that CT doesnt have. a nice change from the real world.
Apr 30th, 2010, 04:15 PM
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I prefer Amalfi Coast - more sights - and I'm not into hiking.
But you need to understand that the Blue Grott isn;t always accesible - unless you want to swim in underwater. Unless the sea is absolutely flat the opening is too small to get even the row boats through (with passengers lying in the bottom of the boat - not sitting up).
But you need to understand that the Blue Grott isn;t always accesible - unless you want to swim in underwater. Unless the sea is absolutely flat the opening is too small to get even the row boats through (with passengers lying in the bottom of the boat - not sitting up).
Apr 30th, 2010, 04:19 PM
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Like jetsetj, I really didn't like Sorrento. It seemed spoiled by tourists. I used it as a base for Pompeii. I did only a day trip into Naples; I now rather wish I'd stayed in Naples instead, because I liked Naples.
I didn't have time to get down to Amalfi, but I LOVED the Cinque Terre. It's quite true that there are a lot of tourists there too, but somehow the towns didn't seem "spoiled" to me (compared to Sorrento, anyway). I DID find hiking between towns sort of magical - hiking through olive groves and vineyards, with great views down of the ocean below. It was of my favorite experiences I've had of any European trip I've taken. And for some reason, I saw the most breathtaking sunsets and even moonsets(!) from the CT. I was there in early October, when the weather was still warm and it was slightly less crowded no doubt than in high season.
I guess one way to distinguish Amalfi from the Cinque Terre is that it's not easy to drive in the Cinque Terre. You should expect to hike between towns or take the train. As noted, I haven't been to Amalfi, but I take it it's very drivable and that's in fact part of the appeal, driving down the beautiful coast, not hiking it. If you don't like to hike, perhaps you shouldn't bother with the Cinque Terre at all.
I didn't have time to get down to Amalfi, but I LOVED the Cinque Terre. It's quite true that there are a lot of tourists there too, but somehow the towns didn't seem "spoiled" to me (compared to Sorrento, anyway). I DID find hiking between towns sort of magical - hiking through olive groves and vineyards, with great views down of the ocean below. It was of my favorite experiences I've had of any European trip I've taken. And for some reason, I saw the most breathtaking sunsets and even moonsets(!) from the CT. I was there in early October, when the weather was still warm and it was slightly less crowded no doubt than in high season.
I guess one way to distinguish Amalfi from the Cinque Terre is that it's not easy to drive in the Cinque Terre. You should expect to hike between towns or take the train. As noted, I haven't been to Amalfi, but I take it it's very drivable and that's in fact part of the appeal, driving down the beautiful coast, not hiking it. If you don't like to hike, perhaps you shouldn't bother with the Cinque Terre at all.
Apr 30th, 2010, 06:08 PM
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I think Sorrento may be your best base since you only have 3 days and more convenient in and out of Rome. Pompeii will take up a good part of one day with maybe a stop to the museum in Naples to make it a full day. If your heart is set on the Blue Grotto, Capri will take up another full day combined with the grotto excursion. That leaves the other spare day to see Positano, Amalfi,and Ravello.
Apr 30th, 2010, 06:16 PM
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Heads Up - Jessie has had 58, yes 58 responses on her thread about her Europe itinerary and still doesn't seem to have made a decision.
I'm sorry to be critical Jessie, but you can surely make this one little decision on your own.
I'm sorry to be critical Jessie, but you can surely make this one little decision on your own.
Apr 30th, 2010, 06:46 PM
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Thanks for your input guys.
If you're sorry to be critical.. then don't be. I don't remember even stating the Cinque Terre in my other Europe post. And isn't the whole point of forums to ask questions and get responses. That's all I asked for.
If you're sorry to be critical.. then don't be. I don't remember even stating the Cinque Terre in my other Europe post. And isn't the whole point of forums to ask questions and get responses. That's all I asked for.
May 1st, 2010, 05:07 AM
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You seem like you will regret not going to Sorrento et al if you do not go; to me this is more salient than others' opinions. Of alll the places you mention going, to this one you seem most attached. So if it were me ( and I know it is not!) I would follow that instinct, even cutting out other things if necessary. I hope you have a great time!
May 1st, 2010, 12:33 PM
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But you need to understand that the Blue Grott isn;t always accesible - unless you want to swim in underwater. Unless the sea is absolutely flat the opening is too small to get even the row boats through (with passengers lying in the bottom of the boat - not sitting up).
I was aware of that but I was under the impression it was open a decent amount.. was I wrong?
If the sea isn't flat is it possible to just swim in? Or would it be closed off? Is there anyway to check before I make the trip out to capri? Or once I'm out there I'm just kinda screwed..What about the emerald grotto? Is that a bit more accessible?
I was aware of that but I was under the impression it was open a decent amount.. was I wrong?
If the sea isn't flat is it possible to just swim in? Or would it be closed off? Is there anyway to check before I make the trip out to capri? Or once I'm out there I'm just kinda screwed..What about the emerald grotto? Is that a bit more accessible?
May 1st, 2010, 01:27 PM
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I've been in the situation of being very indecisive too.
What helped me the most was to watch videos about the areas I was deciding between.
No amount of reading really helped me to make up my mind.
Soooo...see if your library has travel videos on both areas. You can also set your DVR to tape shows about Italy.
Actually "seeing" the different sites helped tremendously!
Good luck!
BTW - I like the CT more, but you can't go wrong either way.
What helped me the most was to watch videos about the areas I was deciding between.
No amount of reading really helped me to make up my mind.
Soooo...see if your library has travel videos on both areas. You can also set your DVR to tape shows about Italy.
Actually "seeing" the different sites helped tremendously!
Good luck!
BTW - I like the CT more, but you can't go wrong either way.
May 1st, 2010, 02:29 PM
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Why hasn't someone given her the straight on the Blue Grotto?
You are in for a huge disappointment if you are planning a trip out to Capri with the BG as the highlight. Better to think of the BG as a small miscellaneous side trip. It is charming in it's own way, but pricey to get in - and forget swimming in - it is guarded fiercely by the men who make their living showing it to tourists and is unlikely you would be allowed access before they go home in the evening - it is also really dark in there.
My vote is for the Amalfi Coast, and bypass Sorrento, which as has been stated before is not Amalfi.
You are in for a huge disappointment if you are planning a trip out to Capri with the BG as the highlight. Better to think of the BG as a small miscellaneous side trip. It is charming in it's own way, but pricey to get in - and forget swimming in - it is guarded fiercely by the men who make their living showing it to tourists and is unlikely you would be allowed access before they go home in the evening - it is also really dark in there.
My vote is for the Amalfi Coast, and bypass Sorrento, which as has been stated before is not Amalfi.
May 3rd, 2010, 12:15 PM
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This may not be helpful since I haven't been to Sorrento or Cinque Terre (more on that below), so just take this for what it's worth.
All I know is that I dragged my kids to Pompeii and they griped while there (and there aren't usually gripers). I decided to ignore them since I had wanted to see Pompeii since I was a tadpole. This was "I deserve this" time, even in the blinding sun.
Ironically, as the years have gone by, my children and my husband (who didn't support me but also didn't diss me while on the turf, so to speak) consistently list Pompeii as one of their most LASTING, most positive memories--and they've been to most of the places on your itinerary drafts.
OK--the reason we didn't do Cinque Terre. It was on my "grand list", but it's still best experienced as the string of towns and by foot. We ran out of time with the kids (walking from town to town was more time than we had given what else we wanted to do) and now that we old folk have time, our feet won't let us. I'm just not going to do town to town by transport now--other things are at the top of my wish list. I don't feel bad--I'd rather have had our week in Florence, our week in Rome,etc anyway.
And Jessiedeexx, you keep asking away. You are right--this board was designed to clear away a lot of travel "cobwebs" so that your preferred decisions can be made. A lot of people allow posters to rap their knuckles and never come back. You are standing your ground, and just as important, you ALSO seem to be heeding advice when it makes sense within the confines of your wants and needs.
All I know is that I dragged my kids to Pompeii and they griped while there (and there aren't usually gripers). I decided to ignore them since I had wanted to see Pompeii since I was a tadpole. This was "I deserve this" time, even in the blinding sun.
Ironically, as the years have gone by, my children and my husband (who didn't support me but also didn't diss me while on the turf, so to speak) consistently list Pompeii as one of their most LASTING, most positive memories--and they've been to most of the places on your itinerary drafts.
OK--the reason we didn't do Cinque Terre. It was on my "grand list", but it's still best experienced as the string of towns and by foot. We ran out of time with the kids (walking from town to town was more time than we had given what else we wanted to do) and now that we old folk have time, our feet won't let us. I'm just not going to do town to town by transport now--other things are at the top of my wish list. I don't feel bad--I'd rather have had our week in Florence, our week in Rome,etc anyway.
And Jessiedeexx, you keep asking away. You are right--this board was designed to clear away a lot of travel "cobwebs" so that your preferred decisions can be made. A lot of people allow posters to rap their knuckles and never come back. You are standing your ground, and just as important, you ALSO seem to be heeding advice when it makes sense within the confines of your wants and needs.
May 3rd, 2010, 01:49 PM
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I'm also a big believer, like Gina817, of getting some visuals to help me decide about a new area I am interested in. Travel DVDs, gorgeous photography books (browse at your favorite bookstore if they don't mind) and/or movies filmed in the area. Although I don't think I've seen any movies filmed in the Cinque Terre, "An Enchanted April" was filmed near Portofino which is on the Ligurian coast as well, and many movies have been shot around the Amalfi Coast, including parts of "Under the Tuscan Sun" and "Only You" (filmed in Positano, I think?).
I spent time on the island of Ischia partly because a friend recommended it and its thermal waters, but also because of seeing it and its neighboring island Procida in the film "The Talented Mr Ripley."
I have not been to Sorrento, so can't comment, but I really loved the three days I spent in the Cinque Terre. However, it was definitely planned as a low-key break in a mostly urban itinerary, so we wanted nothing more than the hikes, the food & wine, and the amazing vistas of the sea...
On the other hand, if you really want to see Pompeii, I would say go! It took me five trips to Italy to finally get there, and I totally enjoyed my day there, and wish I had scheduled more time.
I spent time on the island of Ischia partly because a friend recommended it and its thermal waters, but also because of seeing it and its neighboring island Procida in the film "The Talented Mr Ripley."
I have not been to Sorrento, so can't comment, but I really loved the three days I spent in the Cinque Terre. However, it was definitely planned as a low-key break in a mostly urban itinerary, so we wanted nothing more than the hikes, the food & wine, and the amazing vistas of the sea...
On the other hand, if you really want to see Pompeii, I would say go! It took me five trips to Italy to finally get there, and I totally enjoyed my day there, and wish I had scheduled more time.
May 18th, 2011, 05:57 AM
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I am one who is driving from Sorrento to Cinque terra, but looking for somewhere inbetween to stay overnight and break up the drive. Any where near midway you would recommend. We are calling this our mystery city and I'm looking for suggestions. It can be a bit off the road. Thanks
May 19th, 2011, 06:03 AM
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Charliesnickers--You probably would get more responses to your question if you were to start a new post rather than revive this old one. Especially since this post doesn't really have much to do with your information needs. Good luck.
