Rome -> Palermo -> Naples -> Amalfi Coast /Capri -> Rome
May 31st, 2004, 01:51 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rome -> Palermo -> Naples -> Amalfi Coast /Capri -> Rome
Was wondering about this trip if anyone had any suggestions or comments. Spicifically what are must see, places to eat and possibly stay...Thanks!
June 9-11 Rome
June 12-13 Palermo (Fly from Rome)
June 14-16 Naples (Fly from Palermo?)
June 17-19 Amalfi Coast/Capri
June 20 Rome
June 9-11 Rome
June 12-13 Palermo (Fly from Rome)
June 14-16 Naples (Fly from Palermo?)
June 17-19 Amalfi Coast/Capri
June 20 Rome
May 31st, 2004, 04:07 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi
Just back from Italy. We started from Rome airport with a car to Naples. Stayed there 2 nights and did Capri from there. It's only 45 minutes from there. Morning of second night went to Ercolano & Pompei staying in Sorento. Next night in Amalfi town. Next night on the road close to Salerno. 3 nights is enough on the Amalfi coast. Ercolano & Pompei is a must. Didn't go up the Vesuvio. Spent 3 nights in Rome but it's not our first time in Rome so if it's your first maybe the days you mentioned are not enough. We did also Casteli Romani 30 minutes South from Rome. 13 old little beautiful cities near lakes. Have not been to Palermo.
How do you plan on doing the Amalfi coast. Hiring a car?
Meira
Just back from Italy. We started from Rome airport with a car to Naples. Stayed there 2 nights and did Capri from there. It's only 45 minutes from there. Morning of second night went to Ercolano & Pompei staying in Sorento. Next night in Amalfi town. Next night on the road close to Salerno. 3 nights is enough on the Amalfi coast. Ercolano & Pompei is a must. Didn't go up the Vesuvio. Spent 3 nights in Rome but it's not our first time in Rome so if it's your first maybe the days you mentioned are not enough. We did also Casteli Romani 30 minutes South from Rome. 13 old little beautiful cities near lakes. Have not been to Palermo.
How do you plan on doing the Amalfi coast. Hiring a car?
Meira
May 31st, 2004, 04:19 AM
#4
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,405
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In terms of Amalfi Coast, I would avoid much time in the town of Amalfi. Not as good as other towns. Ravello is a must see due to the views and the elegance of the town. Villa Cimbrione is breathtaking to walk through . You get a bus from Amalfi to Ravello - its easy. Positano is fun and has lots of restaurants, nice shops, and a beach. Probably the most convenient place to stay is Positano or Sorrento. Capri is very touristy unless you really plan your itinerary. Most of the sites are away from Capri Town and require lots of walking. Capri Town is cute but jammed with tourists and high end stores that you can see in other towns - the ones in Positano are more unique. You may want to get a private car and driver for a few hours. They are all over the place when you get off the hydrofoil. I would do my homework on Capri so you can get the most out of it when you are there.
We didnt go to your other towns. I think you are spending just the right amount of time in Amalfi Coast too. If you are driving the coast, be prepared - it lives up to its reputation for some hair-raising adventures. But the scenery is unbelievable and well worth it. Have fun.
We didnt go to your other towns. I think you are spending just the right amount of time in Amalfi Coast too. If you are driving the coast, be prepared - it lives up to its reputation for some hair-raising adventures. But the scenery is unbelievable and well worth it. Have fun.
May 31st, 2004, 06:53 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You seem to enjoy checking in/checking out and packing and unpacking more than I do. You didn't say where you were coming from, but if it's the U.S. or Canada, you are going to be pretty tired on the day of your arrival. Chances are, after you've gotten through customs, arrived at your hotel, unpacked, and had lunch, you are not going to have much left of your first day in Rome. And if you are flying from Rome to Palermo on Day 4, you are really only going to have two days in Rome. I think I would cut one of your destinations out. Although I am a huge fan of Sicily, I think your trip to Palermo sort of sticks out. You really aren't going to have enough time on the ground to justify the cost and aggravation of going there. I'd leave Sicily for a future trip and add the days to Rome, or split them between Rome and Naples.
I agree with AP6380 about flying home from Naples. The way you have it now, you will be spending the last two days of your vacation on planes and trains.
I also agree with Chicagolori that Sorrento would be a good base for the Amalfi Coast/Capri leg of your trip. We stayed at Il Nido http://www.ilnido.it/ in Sorrento and loved it. From Sorrento you can take daytrips by ferry to Capri, Positano or Amalfi.
I agree with AP6380 about flying home from Naples. The way you have it now, you will be spending the last two days of your vacation on planes and trains.
I also agree with Chicagolori that Sorrento would be a good base for the Amalfi Coast/Capri leg of your trip. We stayed at Il Nido http://www.ilnido.it/ in Sorrento and loved it. From Sorrento you can take daytrips by ferry to Capri, Positano or Amalfi.
May 31st, 2004, 07:33 AM
#6
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with the above message - lots of packing and unpacking. I find that it takes a little more time to really enjoy a place and feel connected. I would leave Sicily for another trip if that's possible at this time. Are you planning on renting a car?
The Almalfi Coast can be very relaxing, but there is also so much to see that can keep you hopping.
Some must sees on the Almalfi Coast -Paestum, Ravello, Positano. Walk the streets of Almalfi and stop in the shops. Take a boat to Capri for a day. Eat dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach in Positano.
I've only been to the other side of Sicily - so can't help you with places to see there.
Of course you can spend a lifetime in Rome -- some must sees - take a tour - that will show you the best sights to see. There are some good bus tours that let you get out at the differnt stops. Then go back and spend more time at the places you want to see in depth. As far as hotels: I really like the Santa Chiara hotel in Rome, The Poseidon in Positano.
The Almalfi Coast can be very relaxing, but there is also so much to see that can keep you hopping.
Some must sees on the Almalfi Coast -Paestum, Ravello, Positano. Walk the streets of Almalfi and stop in the shops. Take a boat to Capri for a day. Eat dinner at one of the restaurants on the beach in Positano.
I've only been to the other side of Sicily - so can't help you with places to see there.
Of course you can spend a lifetime in Rome -- some must sees - take a tour - that will show you the best sights to see. There are some good bus tours that let you get out at the differnt stops. Then go back and spend more time at the places you want to see in depth. As far as hotels: I really like the Santa Chiara hotel in Rome, The Poseidon in Positano.
May 31st, 2004, 09:00 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi fj,
How important is Palermo? It does make your trip rather chopped up.
You might find the Naples and AC portion of my trip report helpful.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
How important is Palermo? It does make your trip rather chopped up.
You might find the Naples and AC portion of my trip report helpful.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
May 31st, 2004, 09:17 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the response, this is our first time in Italy and want to enjoy as much as possible. So considering the responses I might cancel Palermo and split the days in Rome and Naples.
Any suggestions on places to stay in Rome and Naples?
Any suggestions on places to stay in Rome and Naples?
May 31st, 2004, 10:39 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since you are cutting out Palermo this is pretty easy....
Add another day in Rome and another day in Amalfi make sure to see the following while in Rome -- Colosseum and Palatino (you get both for one ticket price) and if you want to skip the line pay a few euros extra and get the walking tour it is offered in so many languages, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain...
Take the train from Rome to Naples...(I was only in Naples for 5 minutes so I cannot offer information). The train station in Rome is much closer than the airport and the train ride is like 2+ hours. Just be careful in Naples I hear it is kind of sketchy and in some cases even dangerous. I know the train station is definitely sketchy.
Get a regular taxi in Naples to bring you to the water taxi to Capri. However, I would recommend changing from Capri to Positano and visit Capri on a day trip. Capri is very commercial and crowded but I hear it is great at night after all the day trippers have left. If you decide to go to Positano you can get the Positano Cab company (you must book this in advance) to take you from Naples to Postiano for around 100 euros each way. It is around a 90 minute drive on the side of mountains overlooking the water. Well worth the 100 Euros. As for the one day boat trip to Capri, it brings you to Capri for a few hours, lets you swim ? takes you to the blue grotto and green grotto (you can swim through the green grotto), takes you to a 3 course lunch, followed up by more swimming and it runs you around 80 euros per person round trip for 8+ hours of fun in the sun. The water taxi to Capri is about half the price but no lunch no swimming no fun. I would definitely recommend the day trip on http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/. They are really nice people, speak Italian and English and give you a trip worth every penny.
We stayed at Buca Di Bacco http://www.bucadibacco.it/ in Positano and it was amazing! The restaurant in the hotel was amazing as well and if you stay at the hotel you get a 10 or 15% coupon for every night you eat there while staying at the hotel.
Add another day in Rome and another day in Amalfi make sure to see the following while in Rome -- Colosseum and Palatino (you get both for one ticket price) and if you want to skip the line pay a few euros extra and get the walking tour it is offered in so many languages, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain...
Take the train from Rome to Naples...(I was only in Naples for 5 minutes so I cannot offer information). The train station in Rome is much closer than the airport and the train ride is like 2+ hours. Just be careful in Naples I hear it is kind of sketchy and in some cases even dangerous. I know the train station is definitely sketchy.
Get a regular taxi in Naples to bring you to the water taxi to Capri. However, I would recommend changing from Capri to Positano and visit Capri on a day trip. Capri is very commercial and crowded but I hear it is great at night after all the day trippers have left. If you decide to go to Positano you can get the Positano Cab company (you must book this in advance) to take you from Naples to Postiano for around 100 euros each way. It is around a 90 minute drive on the side of mountains overlooking the water. Well worth the 100 Euros. As for the one day boat trip to Capri, it brings you to Capri for a few hours, lets you swim ? takes you to the blue grotto and green grotto (you can swim through the green grotto), takes you to a 3 course lunch, followed up by more swimming and it runs you around 80 euros per person round trip for 8+ hours of fun in the sun. The water taxi to Capri is about half the price but no lunch no swimming no fun. I would definitely recommend the day trip on http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/. They are really nice people, speak Italian and English and give you a trip worth every penny.
We stayed at Buca Di Bacco http://www.bucadibacco.it/ in Positano and it was amazing! The restaurant in the hotel was amazing as well and if you stay at the hotel you get a 10 or 15% coupon for every night you eat there while staying at the hotel.
