Anjila

We are three women from India who will be meeting in and travelling from Rome on May 26th, 2013 for an 8 nights stay in the Amalfi Region this year. We plan to take the train from Rome to Naples and then the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento where we will spend 3-4 nights, including one night in Capri. We then plan to take the SITA bus to Ravello and stay two nights there, because we love the countryside and hill walks around there. From Ravello, we go to Positano and spend 3 nights there. We plan to do the Sentiero degli dei (Path of the Gods) from Agerola to Noccine whilst we are in Positano. I am now wondering if it were better to stay in one place instead of moving after every few days....which would be the best place to stay. A good relaxing hotel and stunning views and easily transport accessibility would be perfect. I was thinking of staying a week in Praiano, but would that be too quiet or restricting for us to enjoy a bit of nightlife or access to good food etc. We would like to spend not more than Euros 100 -120 per night on a triple sharing basis, inclusive of breakfast...any suggestions would be most welcome....

kybourbon

It might be easier to go to Capri first (from Rome) instead of inserting it somewhere in the middle as it's easiest to reach from Naples or Sorrento. You would take the train from Rome to Naples, switch to the Alibus to the port (or take a taxi), ferry to Capri. The next day, take a later ferry (they don't run much past 6 or 7 pm!) to Sorrento to start the rest of your coast trip.

Ravello and Praiano are only served by buses. The bus between Ravello and Amalfi can be quite crowded. For nightlife, you would probably need to stay in either Positano or Sorrento.

Anjila

Yes, we could first go to Capri for 2 nights from Naples.
Then 3 nights in Sorrento.
2 nights in Ravello.
3 nights in Praiano or Positano.

Im worried that both Positano and Sorrento may be too touristy...and we may meet more tourists like local italians. Should I skip staying at Sorrento and Positano altogether?

mamcalice

All of the places you are considering are full of tourists. Don't let that stop you. On Capri, consider staying in Anacapri which is less tourisy. I would stay two nights on Capri as it is far more pleasant than going on a day trip. You will be able to find beautiful and less crowded places all over the area.

downtownbrown

If you want to get away from tourists, don't go to the AC.

Personally, I wouldn't like staying (and moving to) three places on the AC. I'd pick one, maybe two, and do day trips. I probably wouldn't stay in Ravello. I liked it, but I'm not sure it's worth staying two nights there.

Weadles

I agree with downtownbrown. Ravello is beautiful, great for a day trip, but a little too isolated for easily exploring the rest of the coast.

Unless you want to see Pompeii, I would skip Sorrento and pick Positano or Amalfi as a base. All these towns are touristy in the late spring/summer months. But it is possible to escape the heavy crowds by choosing a hotel ( in Positano) up the hill from town, or taking walks away from the main dock/beach.

Anjila

If I were to choose two places to explore the amalfi coast...what would you suggest. Im getting totally confused here.

Anjila

Also should I spend 5 nights in Positano, Nocelle or Praiano as my base. WIll the SITA buses run regularly in the end of May, since we would be dependent on the buses for transport. Any good hotel recommendations for 5 days to a week that would house 3 in one room.

Anjila

So this is my near final iternerary.
May 27th, 2013: Naples to Capri by Hydrofoil. Stay two nights in AnaCapri.
May 29th: Ferry from Capri to Positano. Stay 5 nights in Positano and explore the amalfi coast.
June 3rd : Take the SITA bus from Positano to Sorrento. Stay two nights in Sorrento.
June 5th. Take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples station. Catch the train to Rome / Milan.

Just a few things I need to know. How do i reach Positano from Capri on may 29th. Are there any ferries that take you there at this time of the year. I cant seem to find it on the net.

Also is there any public transport in Capri...to reach Anacapri for instance. Taxis would be too expensive.

Please help.

Anjila

Final Iternerary (as i could not find regular ferries from Capri to Positano).

May 26 : Take Train Frecciarossa 9607 (Trenitalia)
from Roma Termini departure 10.10:05 to Salerno arrival 12.30.

Take the Ferry from Salerno to Positano.
Stay in Positano or Praiano for one week and explore the Amalfi coast using SITA bus. (Amalfi, Ravello, Positano, Capri )

June 1st : Take the ferry from Positano to Capri. Spend two nights in AnaCapri.
June 3rd : Take the Hydrofoil from Capri to Sorrento. Stay two nights in Sorrento.
June 5th : Take the Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Naples Station. Board our train to Rome or Milan from here.

Any suggestions...for hotels please...

Rubicund

Your final itinerary looks OK. I'd definitely stay in Positano rather that Praiano, just for a choice of hotels, places to eat etc. Try the Savoia right in the centre of the town as a less expensive choice. However, Positano or any of the AC villages aren't not inexpensive.

Anjila

Can anyone tell me if there is any ferry from Salerno to Positano in May. Can you please give me the link to view schedule and book tickets online. Still looking for a recommendation for 6 nights in Positano, 2 nights in Capri and 2 nights in Sorrento.

Anjila

Thanks Rubicond...will check Savoia!

isabel

That would be way too much jumping around for me. The distances in the area are not far and the 'getting' there is part of the fun. We spent 8 nights in Sorrento and did day trips to everywhere else. Sometime boats, sometimes buses. It's not like some places where a day trip means an hour on a boring train. The ride between Sorrento and Amalfi, Positano is a three star sight itself. And the boat is even better.

You mention taking some walks. We walked from Ravello down to Amalfi (about four miles). We also walked down from Anacapri to the harbor on Capri. Lots of gorgeous walks in the area. I'm sure glad the walks we did were going down and not up.

Sorrento is large enough to have a variety of places to go for dinner, etc. and is a pretty town itself. Positano is unbelievably beautiful, but it is just a resort town, no sense that there were any people living there who weren't either tourists or there for the the tourists. But like someone said, if you don't want to be around tourists don't go to the Amalfi coast.

Here's my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...m#last-comment

downtownbrown

You found the ferry from Positano to Capri but can't find the ferry from Capri to Positano? Now I'm confused.

3gentravel

If you'd like to stay in Amalfi, I recommend Casa Torre, owned by Ludo. It's a house with great views, easy access to bus. There is also a restaurant within walking distance and the center of Amalfi can be reached by bus or walking-45 mins. The house sits behind a locked door and is very safe. The owner will make sure you have all the information you need, help you with anything! She is amazing. She also has a driver who can transport to/from train stations or hotels. From Amalfi, do day trips-much easier than jumping around.

http://www.flipkey.com/amalfi-vacation-rentals/p276916/

ekc

See www.coopsantandrea.com for the current ferry schedules between Salerno and Positano. The schedules for June are not posted yet and likely will not be for a couple of months.

Weadles

I would suggest adding another night to Capri ( so three nights), then a five night stay in Positano as your base for exploring the rest of the Amalfi Coast. I don't really see the point in the 2-night stay in Sorrento, unless you want to tour Pompeii.

To be honest, Sorrento is my least favorite city in the area. It has a lot of traffic and even more tour buses in the late spring/summer months ( is that possible??) than Positano. Plus tons of fish n chip shops.

If you really need a 2-night stay in the area, you might think about Naples, which is quite an interesting city, grittier than Sorrento in parts, but with much more to see and do. We visited last year for the first time and really enjoyed our short stay there.

yenisumit7

It's a 4 hour travel between sorrento and amalfi coast by Sita bus. It' can be tedious and boring circling around the mountains. If you want to enjoy than make sorrento and amalfi coast your base.
4 nights in sorrento, you can see Capri island as well as day trips to historic sites.
4 nights in amalfi coast with a day trip to ravello, half hour by Sita bus, day trip to positano by boat.
Ravello and positano are good for day trips only. In positano you have to climb up and down to walk and is over priced.
I'm amalfi coast main centre, there are many restaurants, and reasonably priced shops for gifts. Always bargain

yenisumit7

As per the hotel check out hotel la basoola which is a great location. Call them directly instead of booking online, may get better price. There is one one more hotel lido II, delicious breakfast but 20 minute walk to city centre.