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Positano / Amalfi Coast Itinerary Questions

Positano / Amalfi Coast Itinerary Questions

Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 07:29 PM
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Positano / Amalfi Coast Itinerary Questions

On my first trip to the Amalfi Coast in mid-September. I have four nights planned in Positano. Appreciate any feedback on the schedule I have planned -- not sure how reasonable it is the time it takes to travel the coast.

Day 1 -- arrive in Positano from Sorrento in the Morning via bus. Tour Positano for the day.

Day 2 -- Bus to Amalfi/Bomerano for Path of Gods Hike.
Day 3 -- Day trip to Capri from Positano
Day 4 - Bus to Amalfi/Ravello -- walk down to Atrani/Amalfi.


On Day 2 or Day 4 I'd like to spend time in Amalfi -- thinking Day 4 may be best given it would be the end of a hike?

My plan is to take the SITA bus between towns, any other considerations for a mid September visit -- i.e. taxi? Thinking ferry between Positano and Amalfi may also be a good option?

As we are interested in checking our the scenery, doing casual hikes and touring the small towns....any other recommendations on other towns that may be good add-ons to the itinerary above. Thinking there may time to include other options on Day 2 or 4?
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 08:25 PM
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"not sure how reasonable it is the time it takes to travel the coast" -- Am I correct in assuming that you aren't trying to visit Pompeii, Herculanum, Naples, Salerno, or Paestum on this trip? If you want to see any of these magnificent locations, you will almost certainly need more time.

"Day trip to Capri" -- I thought Capri particularly magical after daytrippers had left, and so was very glad to spend a night there. But not everyone is willing to include single-night stays in their itineraries....

"walk down to Atrani/Amalfi." -- I believe these are two DIFFERENT walks, and you would do well to be sure you know whether that is so beforehand! I believe that there is a ridge that splits the downward path into two separate ones. I did the walk from Ravello to Amalfi and thought it magnificent. I didn't do the walk to Atrani, and so can't comment or compare.

'I'd like to spend time in Amalfi -- thinking Day 4 may be best given it would be the end of a hike?" -- that's what I did: I spent a few hours in Amalfi after hiking down from Ravello. Since you will be there in September, do pay attention to both the timing of sunset and the timing of open hours for anything you want to see in either Ravello or Amalfi. There is a LOT to see in Ravello, so depending on what you want to see/experience, you could end up with little time in Amalfi. Spend some time with guidebooks, paying attention to the hours when things will be open, and plan your time accordingly. The good news is that you'll see some wonderful things no matter what you choose. The bad news is that you might not be able to fully explore both Ravello and Amalfi on a single day in mid-September. (I had 2 nights in Ravello, and so had much more latitude when planning my time in the area.)
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 08:30 PM
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KJA, thanks for your reply. I have 3 nights in Sorrento, will see Pompeii from there and am flying out of Naples so will have one day in Naples. Thanks for the commentary on Ravello, helpful.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 08:47 PM
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"I have 3 nights in Sorrento, will see Pompeii from there and am flying out of Naples so will have one day in Naples."

In that case, have you considered staying in Naples instead of Sorrento? It is easy to reach Pompeii from Naples, you would have easier access to the magnificent archeological museum there (which really complements the time you will spend in Pompeii), and there is SO much else to see and enjoy in Naples! AND you wouldn't have to change hotels yet again....
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 08:59 PM
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Just curious if you will hire a guide for the Path of the Gods hike or do it on your own? We had a wonderful guide in May who really added to the experience taking us to his farmhouse in the hills for lemon coffee, giving us interesting facts about the area and all of the plants, herbs etc. growing everywhere. It was amazing! I would pass on his name and website if it's something you are interested in.

I think you can combine Ravello and Amalfi in a day. I am not a big fan of Amalfi so a few hours was fine, Ravello is gorgeous and worth exploring for an afternoon or morning. Would love to stay there sometime.

For many years I only went in early to mid September and think it is the best time to go. Not as crowded as summer and weather still good for swimming, beach.

Now I can't imagine only having 4 days but you will be able to see a lot in that time. Also a wonderful way to spend a day is to take a boat along the coast.

I love Positano so much and hope you have a great time.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2014, 09:03 PM
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Oh regarding taxis, ferrys and buses. In mid September the SITA will still be pretty busy but it is a better option for me than ferrys depending on how far up your hotel is and the ferry schedule in September.

Taxis are very expensive, even just to go to the next town. We were four girls and of course running late half the time so twice had to take taxis, once to meet our guide for path of the gods and that was I believe 20 euro with no traffic and like 10 minute drive to Praiano.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 06:56 AM
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Yes, Day 4 would be the best time to see Amalfi. It is a charming town and there is also a hike through the Valley of the Mills starting from Amalfi.

Ferries will still be running in September which, IMO, is the best way to travel between the villages. You may need to take the SITA on Day 2, if you want to start your hike early, as the first ferry to Amalfi leaves Positano at 10 am.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 07:07 AM
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ekc and I agree on preferring the ferries to the SITA bus. The bus, basically, sucks. It is sometimes incredibly late (I've seen people wave down cars and ask for rides so that they can make a transportation connection) and I get sick on that route. The winding road and frequent stops, as well as crowds (in late September too) left me with a hideous case of motion sickness.

The views from the ferry are delightful. The fresh ocean breeze is nice too.

IMO, the best way to enjoy a day on Capri is to avoid Capri Town. There are other very nice things to see and do.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 06:23 PM
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. Excellent info and tips. As for Capri....we're heading to other parts of the island and not wandering around Capri Town until we leave. Thanks again.
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Old Aug 4th, 2014, 08:33 PM
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@JenV, could you kindly share details of your guide to the Path of Gods? Thanks.

s
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Old Aug 11th, 2014, 08:42 AM
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JenV - Another request to share your guide's name. Thanks!

Also - please comment why you mentioned you didn't like Amalfi. (Open to hearing from others as well).

We decided to stay there actually, given that Positano is so pricy.
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Old Aug 11th, 2014, 08:46 AM
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Although I haven't used her, I have seen good reviews of Zia Lucy guiding hikes on the Path of the Gods.

A quick Google search found this: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio..._Campania.html
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Old Aug 11th, 2014, 08:59 AM
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PS - since this was my first post on Fodors, do I get an alert when someone replies to me, or do I need to check manually?
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Old Aug 11th, 2014, 12:59 PM
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You have to check manually for any posts to your thread.
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