lealgo

Hey guys!
I have searched extensively online, and cannot find ANYTHING on this topic!
Thinking of traveling to Italy end of September. We want to spend about 2 weeks and go from Cinque Terre to Amalfi by car. We are thinking of flying into Milan, spending a day or two there, then catching a train to Cinque Terre, spending about 2 nights over there, and then renting a car and driving to Amalfi We want to take a scenic route ( coastal) and stop in some small villages along the way. I anticipate the drive to take 3-4 days ( leisurely). However, i can't seem to find any recommendations on driving routes, and suggestions for which coastal towns to see. Any suggestions? Also looking for recommendations for travel books with this information.


Thanks!

bobthenavigator

That coastal road will not be what you think---it will be quite slow and not that scenic.
And, where do you plan to stay on the AC? I would drop the car in Sorrento a

bobthenavigator

Sorry, big thumb !

---in Sorrento and take public transport from there. A car is a real hassle on the AC. However, if you want good overnite stops then look at Porto Santo Stefano and Sperlonga as interesting places on the wather.

sandralist

I've driven from La Spezia to Rome and it was boring. If you want to do a scenic route, cut inland and go through scenic Tuscany. You can give up the car in Tuscany (or Orvieto in Umbria) and use public transport the rest of the way, or, if you want, you can keep driving and find a scenic path through the Sabine Hills, or around Sperlonga (on the coast) and towns in the hills east of Sperlonga. Another marvel you might target is to drive from Tuscany to Paestum. Then if you don't want to drive the Amalfi drive, drop the car in Salerno and take a ferry to the towns of the coast.

Up to you whether you want to take on driving in the Amalfi. For some people it is thrill. Others genuinely hate it.

ekc

I second the idea of driving to Paestum, seeing the temples and getting mozzarella, then dropping the car in Salerno.

yorkshire

Google La Maremma--I have done some research for a trip I would like to take there one day. But I agree with the general sentiment above that your time may be maximized in other ways.

lealgo

Thanks guys,
sounds like driving along the coast from Cinque terre to Amalfi is not such a great idea ( probably explains why there isnt much info on the route)

lealgo

Thanks guys,
sounds like driving along the coast from Cinque terre to Amalfi is not such a great idea ( probably explains why there isnt much info on the route) We are planning on dropping the car in Amalfi, just trying to figure out the best way of getting there..

bobthenavigator

Is there a rent

bobthenavigator

Sorry, my left hand is not good.

----a rental drop in Amalfi? I am not aware of any from the major vendors---either Sorrento or Salerno is your chocie.

ekc

No rental car drop in Amalfi - hence the suggestion to drop it in Salerno.

If you drop in Salerno (after visiting Paestum), you can take the ferry to either Positano or Amalfi.

sandralist

Any route you take all that long distance is going to involve some stretches of dreary and/or stressful driving, and I think the overall message is to use the car in a worthwhile way.

Three or 4 days sounds like a lot to complete what on a map looks to be about a 7 hour drive, but when you are taking scenic routes, stopping to see things, enjoy lunch, and just dealing with unfamiliar terrain (some of which gets quite demanding at times), you really don't want to drive more than a few hours a day, and it is best to have some real payoff at the end of the evening.

There are really a zillion possibilities for creating a string of gems between le Cinque Terre and Sorrento ro La Spezia, including all along the coast or just a nick inland, if you like to road trip. Another idea would be to head straight to a scenic mid-point (like southern Tuscany) and enjoy it for 3 nights before moving on.

One way I often decide these things is to look at Fred Plotkin's Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, and look at the maps he has of the regions I will passing through or could easily get to. I read descriptions of restaurants along the way. Fred Plotkin had a wonderful knack for finding lovely restaurants in charming places where one can eat a great lunch or enjoy spending the night. If you string together places like these that are a reasonable driving distance apart, you can end up seeing some really very, very beautiful small towns in Italy, not all of them much known to tourists. Plus, the book will help you decide where to eat in the other famous places you are going (although Plotkin's book was written before le Cinque Terre was inundated by Rick Steves's followers).

If you speak Italian or a willing to try your hand at deciphering it (easy), using the maps in the Osterie d'Italia guide is also way to create a nice road trip full of surprises, or -- if you like higher end restaurants -- the Gambero Rosso guide.

There area always places to stay in these towns. Almost anywhere you go in Italy there is someplace sweet to stay.

lealgo

Thanks for the tips guy. I truly appreciate the suggestions!! So I think we will pick up car around Cinque Terre and drop off in Sorrento. I see we can take a ferry or bus to Amalfi from there.

Is there pickup near Cinque Terre, or do we also have to travel a bit out of the villages?

ekc

Taking the ferry from Sorrento to Amalfi is oftentimes impractical, as there are only 2 ferries per day, at 10:30 and 3:00.

Too bad you will miss Paestum. Truly a gem.

sandralist

You can rent a car in La Spezia weekdays and Saturday mornings. Otherwise you need to go to Pisa airport.