Advice for Amalfi please
 

Hi all
I have 3 full days in Amalfi with my family (wife and 2 kids) and am thinking of (not in this order)
- Time relaxing at the hotel pool and exploring the town of Amalfi, shopping
- Boat trip along the coast including Positano, the Emerald Grotto and general coastline
- A drive around with stops at Ravello and Pompeii
Don't think I want to commit a whole day to Capri (hence the emerald Grotto) but please say if you think that would be a crime to miss and otherwise comment on what else we chould do
One last thing - I have booked at the Miramalfi. Does anyone have any opinions on this hotel?
Thanks!

Hi cg,

I suggest that you skip the Emerald Grotto and use the time to take the bus ride along the coast rd, unless you suffer from vertigo.

((I))

With three days, you may not have as much time as you think if you plan to relax.

It would not be a crime to miss Capri as we missed it on our first trip in that part of Italy. However, it is such a beautiful spot and we enjoyed it thoroughly when we finally did get there. Depending on the ages of your kids, they may not be thrilled with Capri. We missed the Blue Grotto because of high waters which apparently happen more often than I thought..and we were not terribly disappointed.

When planning a drive around the coast, you must consider the time of year. I understand traffic can be awful during the summer. A drive could take much longer than you expect especially if you want to stop, shop, eat, etc. We spent an entire day just doing just that with a lovely, leisurely lunch at Chez Black. We could never have done Pompeii as well.

Pompeii will easily take up at least half of your day and is about an hour away from Amalfi, so you will have to plan accordingly.

Thanks for the comments - we will be there in July so the traffic will be bad. Perhaps we should try some more extensive boat cruises along the coast instead of travelling the roads. I have heard about Pompeii at night which is a 2 hour light show and tour, could be interesting but am not sure about getting there and back from Amalfi at night.

Where is Chez Black?

Any info on the Miramalfi Hotel?

Thanks

Traffic in July is a real hassle. Amalfi has fairly decent boat service between most of the towns and cities along the coast, as well as to Capri, so I would highly recommend "seeing" the coast that way when possible. We much preferred the boatrides to being stuck in traffic that was barely moving.

I've been to Pompeii twice, and did the night tour with my kids two years ago. It is a theatrical extravaganza, complete with a light show which entralled my kids and gave my husband and me a historical headache. Many of the highlights that you see on the day tour are left out. We found out about it through the Sorrento tourist board. I don't know if it's still running or not. If you don't have a car, you'd probably have to hire a private driver to take you there and back at night. There is a train from Sorrento that lets you out in front of Pompeii, but I don't know how late it runs.

Regarding your other question:

Chez Black is a popular restaurant in Positano

And as for your hotel, do you mean the Grand Miramare in Amalfi?

Pompeii at night with a light show should be amazing. I imagine you would go earlier to see the site as well. Sounds like fun.

Chez Black is down by the beach in Positano. It is a great spot to sit and people watch as well as to enjoy a very good meal. They have been around for years.

Our Italian cousins took us there for lunch, and we had a terrific meal. The service was very friendly and overally it was a memorable experience for us.

I have no personal experience with the Miramalfi, but you can take a look at the reviews on tripadvisor...they look pretty good: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._Campania.html

I just found these Fodor's reviews on Miramalfi and they are so-so: http://www.fodors.com/rants/rrread.c...#Fodors_Review

When we stayed in Positano we took 2 outstanding boat trips - 1 along the coast toward Amalfi and 1 to Capri - both with the same company, Salvatore and Gennaro. They are 2 brothers with 2 boats who lead day trips with about 5 - 7 passengers per day. They always stop somewhere along the coast for an incredible multi-course lunch, with plenty of wine and sometimes even music. We had an incredible time the first day with Salvatore along the coast so the next day we took the trip to Capri the next day with Gennaro. They stop in several places so you can swim off the boat, including at the Emerald Grotto.

We would highly recommend these trips. They leave from the docks in Positano.

Steve

Thanks very much for all the input. Thanks for the caution on Pompeii Weadles but I think it is as close to we will get for a "family" viewing - depends on the cost of a private car though!! It is the Miramalfi hotel - I'll read the reviews thanks Lorac - and Steve I was just lookign at the Salvadore site and thinking of the Amalfi coast boat ride. Catch a bas to Positano and do the coas - sounds like fun

Thanks all and keep the advise coming!!!

Pompeii at night sounds great. Pompeii during the day in July will be very hot, not to mention the travel time from Amalfi.

Go to Capri for the day (6-8 hours) and enjoy what you can, but you won't do everything in one day.

For sure Ravello !!! If you don't want to drive the roads yourself, take the SITA bus.