faye

Next summer, we will be staying in Positano as our base to explore the area. Does anyone have any information on ferrys that run from Positano to Capri and other ports? <BR>Recommendations? <BR> <BR>Also, will a visit to Capri take a full day? <BR>

Patrick

This is another one of my posts that may prompt being called "a pompous ass", but here goes. In my opinion one cannot experience Capri in a day trip. Many people who do that come back and say, "what's the big deal about Capri?" It is jammed with other day trippers from about 10 AM until about 4PM and then really shines once they leave until the early hours of the morning. The quiet evenings are spectacular there. So in answer to your question, if you just want to "see" Capri, yes it will take a whole day, but if you want to experience Capri you'll need to spend at least one night. The last I knew boats had been suspended from Positano to Capri, which is just as well as they were never very dependable anyway. In fact we took a boat from Positano to Amalfi for the day, and they decided not to run return trips in the afternoon. We got stuck in Amalfi for hours trying to get on a bus, but after several full ones left, we pushed and shoved our way onto one to get back to Positano, standing up all the way. You will probably need to go to Sorrento to get dependable boat service to other ports. A car was invaluable to us on the Amalfi coast and we did not find the driving bad at all.

Carey

Patrick! You took the words right out of my mouth! I love driving in Amalfi...it's the only way to really see everything at your own pace and schedule. And there is a lot to explore that ISN'T on the coastal side. The hills are so beautiful! One of our best days was when we stopped at every road side farmer's stand and bought fresh roasted hazel nuts, fresh cheese, and wine. It was a blast. There were NO tourists anywhere, and my girlfriends and I were a novelty. We were trying to find basil and a women that we were talking to couldn't understand us, until I said the ingrediants for Salade Caprese! She gestures one moment..........went into her garden and picked fresh basil for us right there! It was great. But that was in the hill town opposite the coast........they are such friendly people! <BR> <BR>sorry for the tangent! Don't go to Capri for the day, you will be back on this site after your trip telling people that Capri is a waste of time........and it definately isn't. Stay a day or two. Walk around the island at night and you will truely experience heaven.

coco

Well, how will she get to Capri without a ferry or some sort of boat?

Paige

So Patrick, if we can only go for a day, is it worth it or should we blow it off? We're taking a short trip to the area and want to see a lot, so in spite of all the posts recommending spending the night in Capri, I was planning a day trip. Should we or shouldn't we? I promise I won't come back and gripe about it but will it really suck?

Patrick

That's really a hard one. I suppose if I had your limited time, knowing what I know now, I wouldn't go to Capri for the day. The town will be packed with shoppers doing the little shops, which is something you can do a lot of other places without the time spent getting there. You can have a great lunch there (but at a much higher price than for just as good food anywhere else in the Amalfi area). There are gorgeous views if you take the bus to Annacapri and the lift to the top of the mountain, or walk to the south side from the town of Capri, but there are just as magnificent views all over the Amalfi coast. I'd say spend the time by going to Ravello instead, where you can enjoy some of the same "upscale" atmosphere without the crowds. Not sure what else you are doing in the area, but I would not do a day trip to Capri.

Paige

Thanks for the input. I didn't think we'd have time for Ravello so maybe we'll go there instead of Capri. I don't like boat rides anyway!