Almalfi Coast
 

Hi I am planning a trip to Italy this September or October for 10 nights with my husband.
Last year we visited Rome, Florence and Venice. This year we want to visit Calabria, Almalfi Coast, Pompeii and end the trip in Rome. I am so confused planning Calabria. I am looking for any input on traveling to Calabria and help with planning this trip. I think we will fly into Calabria stay four nights. Take the train to the Almalfi Coast for four nights then onto Rome for two nights. Any advice...

Last trip we used the train and loved traveling this way. We really would prefer not renting a car. Does this seem okay traveling with out a car. the hotel we pick will have to be convenient for excursions.

Thank you!

There is no train on the Amalfi coast. It goes at far as Sorrento (local train only) in th enorth and Salerno in the south. In between you can travel by Sita bus along the coast road, by taxi or hire car and (limited) by ferry (depends on exact dates and towns).

Calabria is rather large--do you have a destination in mind?

That's what has me so nervous. I didn't realize Calabria was that big. Any suggestions for a great tourist spot. I appreciate your time....

Have you thought about how you will get from town to town on the Amalfi coast once you are there? Depending on what you plan to do you will either need to rent car locally or to hire a driver. There are some Fodors posts that have links and you can check. There is a public bus system that goes up and down and around for the locals. We were there in the winter and the service seemed to be pretty good, but you are at the mercy of the timetable. If you do rent a car parking is very limited especially in the town centers and along the waterfront. Most towns have metered parking.

we will look into bus service and hiring a driver when we stay at the Almalfi Coast. Does Positano have water taxi to service Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento?

I travelled to Amalfi via Naples in October without a car. I stayed in the lovely hotel, Miramalfi, for 5 nights. The hotel has a shuttle that will drive you into the town of Amalfi. I used ferries to tour neighboring towns and took a train from Sorrento to Paestum as well. I highly recommend a side trip to Paestum. I hired a car from Naples,but took the ferry to Sorrento, then a train from Sorrento to Rome. There are easy train connections from Sorrento to Pompeii, and very inexpensive. Buon Viaggio!

Joy...service to Capri is a good one...small boat (8-10 passengers and a very nice voyage), stopping at the grottoes. Gives you almost the full day in Capri before picking it up at the harbor for return trip. Highly recommend. There is also a short voyage to Amalfi town, where there is a convenient bus schedule to Ravello....so now you've covered Capri, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Ticket kiosks for these boats is conveniently at Positano's small harbor. Enjoy the AC.
stu

CORRECTION.

I took the ferry to Salerno, then a train to Paestum. Same route when I departed Amalfi (not Sorrento, sorry). Ferry to Salerno, Train from Salerno to Naples, overnight in Naples to visit the Capodimonte Museum and Archeological Museum and then on to Rome. Weather is perfect in October, too.