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Amalfi Coast: Where to stay--Ravello or Poisitano

Amalfi Coast: Where to stay--Ravello or Poisitano

Old Jul 17th, 2013, 10:12 AM
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Amalfi Coast: Where to stay--Ravello or Poisitano

We are traveling to Amalfi Coast for the first time. We would like to stop in Pompeii on our way down from Rome, spend a day on Capri, and a few more days in either Ravello or Poisitano. Which would be the preferred location? Can we stay in either place and use it as our base to see Capri and Pompeii? Or do we need to stay a night closer to Pompeii? We do not plan to visit Naples. Any suggestions on where to stay in Ravello or Poisitano? We are looking for a small to medium size charming hotel in the range of 300 - 600 euros a night including breakfast. How many nights would you suggest we need in the area?
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 11:57 AM
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First, we need a little clarity on your plans.

You're starting the first day in Rome and will travel (train, I assume) to Pompeii. But where you do you want to spend that first night, on Capri or at your 'final' destination?

What time of year is this trip? Ferry and bus schedules vary during the year.

"We do not plan to visit Naples." Are you aware that all of the artifacts found at Pompeii are now housed in the archeology museum in Naples?

"How many nights would you suggest we need in the area?" What else do you plan to do/see besides Pompeii, Capri and your 'final' destination? Asked another way, why did you pick either Ravello or Positano?
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 11:58 AM
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This may help. Ravello is lovely but too isolated for a base location. I love Positano, but actually Sorrento is the more convenient location for day trips. Good luck !

For hotels, look at The Poseidon and Marincanto in Positano.
In Sorrento, look at Antiche Mura.


NAVIGATING on the AMALFI COAST
HOW TO GET THERE: You have to want to—it may not be easy. The best option is to land in Naples, but that is not always feasible. Most travelers access it from Rome by train to Naples—a trip of less than two hours. Once in Naples, you have a choice. The local commuter train, Circumversuviana, leaves from the same train station and takes about an hour to SORRENTO, with a possible stop at “ Pompeii Scavi” to see the famed ruins. However, to access any of the coastal towns you must then take a SITA bus or a taxi.

The best option is to hire a private driver to meet you at the Naples station or airport and take you directly to your hotel. Expect to pay about 100E.
www.cuomonet.it www.tourofitaly.com www.francescomarrapese.com
www.angelodriver.com

WHERE TO LOCATE & WHAT TO SEE: Ah, what not to see? This is the most stunning scenery in all of Italy---be sure to pack the camera. Your daily activities will be somewhat determined by your location. SORRENTO is really on the Bay of Naples and not the Amalfi Coast [AC], but is the most convenient location for day trips to Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. The town is larger & relatively flat. In contrast, POSITANO is the most spectacular village on the AC but is almost vertical and a real challenge for your legs.
Hotel choices in Positano should be evaluated by their location in town relative to the beach or position on the hill above the beach. AMALFI & RAVELLO are other popular destinations but are further down the coast.

NOTE: Any of the drivers above can be hired for day trip excursions but should be booked well in advance. Expect to pay about 35E/hour.

Here are my top five activities for this fabulous coast:
• Seeing the coast from the water---the best option. Hire a boat and pray for good weather—here is one www.gennaroesalvatore.it

• Day trip to Capri by hydrofoil from Sorrento or Positano—in season

• Day trip to Ravello by local bus or driver. This lovely village is high above the coast with great views---see Villa Cimbrone.

• Day trip to Pompeii. Plan on spending 4 hours to see it well. You can take the commuter train from Sorrento or hire a driver.

• Shopping for ceramics and sipping LIMONCELLO. The latter is not to be missed---I still have it almost daily at home after dinner.

WHERE TO EAT: I hope you like seafood. Here are some of my favorites:
* In Positano: Da Vincenzo Buca di Bacco Da Constantino

* In Ravello: Cumpa Cosimo Villa Maria

* In Sorrento: Trattoria Da Emilia L’Antica Trattoria
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 12:07 PM
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>

I disagree, unless your day trips are limited to Pompeii/Herculaneum/Capri.

Personally, I love Positano and always choose to stay there. In fact I was there for 8 days earlier this month.

It is a good plan to see Pompeii on your way to the Amalfi Coast, as there is a left luggage facility at the entrance to Pompeii, if you don't want to hire a driver to take you there and hold your luggage while you tour.

Ravello/Amalfi and Capri can easily be done as day trips from Positano, assuming you will be there when the ferries are running.

I second the recommendation for Cumpa Cosimo in Ravello - we had a great lunch there when we visited last year.

Can't help with a hotel recommendation, as I always stay at least 7 days and rent an apartment. www.venere.com is a good sight for hotel searching, as it lets you search by price, location, etc. The closer you can get to the beach or pedestrian part of town the better, IMO.
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 04:09 PM
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If you can do Pompeii on the way down from Rome, then Positano. As beautiful & convenient as Sorrento might be, you will wish you were on the Amalfi. The 1st trip is where you swear that on the 2nd trip you will stay in Ravello.

Ian
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 04:33 PM
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I agree with ekc & Ian - stay in Positano. Ravello is high up on a cliff & it is a bit of a "bother" to get down to the water. I'm not a fan of Sorrento - too many large tour groups stay there. Stay in Capri overnight so you will be there when it is at its best - early morning or early evening.

Get an early start and Pompeii is an easy visit on the way to the Amalfi Coast.

We've stayed at the Murat in Positano 3 times & Ravello twice.

Stu Dudley
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 06:47 PM
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Thank you for all of your very helpful information. Just to clarify, we will be spending our first three nights in Rome and then plan to rent a car to drive down to the Amalfi coast. Since we don't need or want a car in the city, how is the best (and hopefully cost effective) way to obtain a car when we are leaving Rome?
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 08:16 PM
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>>Since we don't need or want a car in the city, how is the best (and hopefully cost effective) way to obtain a car when we are leaving Rome?
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 08:27 PM
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What time of year is your trip? I don't discourage people from driving on the Amalfi Coast (my husband loves it), but there are certain times of the year when I think the amount of traffic and the search for parking everywhere would just be torture for me.
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Old Jul 17th, 2013, 09:07 PM
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I second the recommendation for the Poseidon in Positano. We've rented (and returned) a car in Sorrento if you don't want to drive from Rome. My husband loved to drive the Amalfi drive... but we were there in spring or late Sept. With a car you can also take a trip to Paestum (near
Salerno.) He loved squeezing around corners with buses. - But I understand in the high season the drive is pretty much a parking lot.
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Old Jul 18th, 2013, 07:24 AM
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I third the recommendation for the Poseidon in Positano. I have toured the hotel and stayed in an apartment a stone's throw away and it is a great location. Easy access to the pedestrian portion of the town by a short walk down the street.

If you are planning on going to the Amalfi Coast during high season (May - early September) a car will be a big liability and hinderance.
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Old Jul 18th, 2013, 05:14 PM
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> With a car you can also take a trip to Paestum

True, and Paestum is VERY well worth visiting IMHO, but you can also get there by public transportation.
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