How to allocate 9 days on amalfi coast
Mar 10th, 2015, 07:44 PM
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How to allocate 9 days on amalfi coast
My husband and I arrive in barcelona on June 16th and will spend 5 days there. While we had originally planned on going from there into Switzerland, after further contemplation, we've revised our plans and now fly into Rome for 5 days. Our plan is to then go to Naples where we will spend three days before heading to the amalfi coast.
My question is to how best spend 9 days? Our thought is to spend time in Positano, sorrento, and amalfi. We are not necessarily looking for beach time, although we won't rule out a few hrs for relaxing by the sea. Is it best to spend several days in each location and if so, how much time would you allocate For each? We will visit ravello and would like to do some easy hiking as long as my dh's knees can withstand it. any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. What not to miss along the way??? Thanks in advance.
My question is to how best spend 9 days? Our thought is to spend time in Positano, sorrento, and amalfi. We are not necessarily looking for beach time, although we won't rule out a few hrs for relaxing by the sea. Is it best to spend several days in each location and if so, how much time would you allocate For each? We will visit ravello and would like to do some easy hiking as long as my dh's knees can withstand it. any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. What not to miss along the way??? Thanks in advance.
Mar 10th, 2015, 08:27 PM
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No answers from me, but some things to consider:
Capri is much more delightful, IMO, after day trippers leave, so consider a night there. I don't think there's enough there to keep most people occupied for more than a day or so; YMMV.
Do consider making time for Paestum, including the temples and other ruins, its small (but excellent) museum, and the fresh buffalo mozzarella to be had there.
I spent two nights in Ravello. IMO, if I never get closer to heaven, I won't have done too badly.
Salerno is, IMO, vastly underrated. Unfortunately, siesta in Salerno is quite long, so seeing it's highlights can be a challenge. I was glad I spent a night there -- even thinking of the view of the sun setting over Salerno's gorgeous lungomare still makes me smile. BUT probably only worthwhile if you are interested in seeing Salerno's treasures.
IMO, 3 days is not much for Naples.
Of the half-dozen guidebooks I used when planning my time in the area, I found the Rough Guide the most useful.
Enjoy!
Capri is much more delightful, IMO, after day trippers leave, so consider a night there. I don't think there's enough there to keep most people occupied for more than a day or so; YMMV.
Do consider making time for Paestum, including the temples and other ruins, its small (but excellent) museum, and the fresh buffalo mozzarella to be had there.
I spent two nights in Ravello. IMO, if I never get closer to heaven, I won't have done too badly.
Salerno is, IMO, vastly underrated. Unfortunately, siesta in Salerno is quite long, so seeing it's highlights can be a challenge. I was glad I spent a night there -- even thinking of the view of the sun setting over Salerno's gorgeous lungomare still makes me smile. BUT probably only worthwhile if you are interested in seeing Salerno's treasures.
IMO, 3 days is not much for Naples.
Of the half-dozen guidebooks I used when planning my time in the area, I found the Rough Guide the most useful.
Enjoy!
Mar 10th, 2015, 08:42 PM
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Nine days - is your three in Naples part of the nine?
I would stay in Amalfi if you want to explore - good access by bus up and down the coast and over to Capri, Sorrento and south to Salerno. It also has bus access to Ravello.
I would stay in Amalfi if you want to explore - good access by bus up and down the coast and over to Capri, Sorrento and south to Salerno. It also has bus access to Ravello.
Mar 11th, 2015, 01:42 AM
#4
Your question seems to say that you have nine days on the AC, not including Naples, so I'll work on that basis. I'd choose one base only, as the distance between places isn't that great and although it is starting to get busy on the roads along the AC in mid June, it's still not July and August mad busy.
I'd probably stay in Positano and day trip to Paestum, Capri, Amalfi and along the AC, Sorrento (and visit Pompeii/Ercolano?). Capri doesn't do it for me, but Positano certainly does, so a day trip would IMO be enough. Yes it's quieter when the day trippers have gone but it's not special.
Nine days should give you time to see all of this plus time to relax too.
I'd probably stay in Positano and day trip to Paestum, Capri, Amalfi and along the AC, Sorrento (and visit Pompeii/Ercolano?). Capri doesn't do it for me, but Positano certainly does, so a day trip would IMO be enough. Yes it's quieter when the day trippers have gone but it's not special.
Nine days should give you time to see all of this plus time to relax too.
Mar 11th, 2015, 06:36 AM
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Every village along the Amalfi coast can be visited in 1 hr or 2. Amalfi is the bus hub; it's easier do go from there to places like Paestum, Palinuro, Castellabate, Cilento caves, etc than from Positano.
For trips into the other direction (Sorrento, Capri, Castellamare - Monte Faito cableway, Pompei, etc.) it doesn't matter whether you stay at Amalfi or at Positano.
For trips into the other direction (Sorrento, Capri, Castellamare - Monte Faito cableway, Pompei, etc.) it doesn't matter whether you stay at Amalfi or at Positano.
Mar 11th, 2015, 07:33 AM
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The nine days are in addition to the time in Naples. I have heard some people say that they could spend a month in the amalfi coast, but I'm not really sure how much time we need. My husband would like to wing it, but I'm worried about finding hotels that time if year - especially midrange priced ones. Any opinions in getting last minute hotels so we are not locked into anything and also on good amount of time to see sites and wander. We do not want time on the beach or for just sitting around.
Mar 11th, 2015, 08:27 AM
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If by winging it you mean turning up and seeing what accommodation is available when you get there, I would not try to do that in June. you might be lucky, but then again, you might not.
and it's no fun being stranded in Amalfi without a hotel.
of course you could book up as you go, using the internet to find last minute deals the day before. I've not done that in Italy [we did wing it one July 30 years ago but not on the Amalfi] but I wouldn't do that in Rome or Naples; once in Naples you might think about doing it then as it's place where you might want to stay longer.
Apart from anything else, you could use it as your base for Pompeii and Herculaneum rather than Sorrento, which you could then cross off your list of places to stay - moving every 3 days or so can be quite tiring after a while.
Naples plus one other would be much nicer.
and it's no fun being stranded in Amalfi without a hotel.
of course you could book up as you go, using the internet to find last minute deals the day before. I've not done that in Italy [we did wing it one July 30 years ago but not on the Amalfi] but I wouldn't do that in Rome or Naples; once in Naples you might think about doing it then as it's place where you might want to stay longer.
Apart from anything else, you could use it as your base for Pompeii and Herculaneum rather than Sorrento, which you could then cross off your list of places to stay - moving every 3 days or so can be quite tiring after a while.
Naples plus one other would be much nicer.
Mar 11th, 2015, 10:14 AM
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Don't try to wing it in June! Especially if you have a certain budget in mind. That is part of the busy peak season along the Amalfi Coast. In fact, I'd recommend trying to decide very soon where you're going and then checking availability right away.
With nine days, you might want to consider 3 in Capri or Ravello, and the rest in either Positano or Amalfi.
I prefer Positano to Amalfi because I find it much prettier and less of a city, but others prefer Amalfi because it's larger, a real working city, and offers easy access to Ravello.
Please keep in mind that many of the cities along the Amalfi Coast are oases (sp?) of relaxation. I like them BECAUSE there isn't tons of stuff to do all the time, but if you're someone who wants to be on the gogogo, you might be quite bored?
With nine days, you might want to consider 3 in Capri or Ravello, and the rest in either Positano or Amalfi.
I prefer Positano to Amalfi because I find it much prettier and less of a city, but others prefer Amalfi because it's larger, a real working city, and offers easy access to Ravello.
Please keep in mind that many of the cities along the Amalfi Coast are oases (sp?) of relaxation. I like them BECAUSE there isn't tons of stuff to do all the time, but if you're someone who wants to be on the gogogo, you might be quite bored?
