Amalfi Coast
 

Hi

I am going with my partner to the Amalfi Coast this august, though I am seeing the nearby town of Ravello to be very enchanting as well does anyone know how and how much it cost to get there (train and boat from Rome to Amalfi) and if you suggest the town of Ravello would be a better option to escape the crowds of Summer. Any suggestions will be highly welcome.

Will you rent a car ?

Vincenzo

Ravello is home to a summer music festival, so I doubt very much that you'll escape the summer crowds there. Also, it's inland, so a bit of a hassle getting back and forth to other towns along the coast.

Just got back from a cruise to the Western Med. We took the ship's tour to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

First, I would never drive the Amalfi Coast unless you have nerves of steel and can handle hairpin curves.

We did not make it up to Ravello but did go to Amalfi, Sorrento and Praiano.

We had lunch at the Grand Hotel Tritone in Praiano. It was an absolutely beautiful view from the dining room of the coast and a beautiful hotel. It was built into the mountain and the floors went down, not up.

For the most part the food was good, but I would suggest you not get the chicken (it was ground)although it tasted good, it didn't look that appetizing.

Sorrento was great for shopping.

I know that a train ride from Rome to Sorrento or Naples is very reasonable. In either city you can get a ferry or a hydrofoil for under 30E. I'm sure you can also take the train to the coast from Rome.

I don't know the exact website, but google Euro Rails and then you can go from there--places and prices.

Mississippi Traveler

MS2008 is right - don't attempt to drive!

We stayed in Amalfi for 5 days a few years' ago and Ravello, apart from a particular lodge in Africa, is still my favourite place in the world.

Simply take any of the many local buses that daily travel up the winding, torturous road with the most amazing scenery you'll ever see.

There is a wonderful pastry shop just inside the main entrance (by the church)- and the Villa Cimbrone, where the music festival is held each summer is a magical place. Walk through the gardens and be prepared to gasp in amazement as you look down and over the sea below!

There are a number of beautiful and expensive hotels here, but there are also smaller, less expensive options.

Hi Topos - Train Rome-Salerno standard fare is:

€ 30.40 ES
€ 22.50 IC

For details/timetables see:
http://www.trenitalia.it/en/index.html

Salerno-Amalfi by ferry costs approx € 6.50

There are departures in high season at:
08.40 - 09.40 - 10.40 - 11.40 - 14.10 - 15.30 - 17.15*

The only place on the Amalfi Coast where you might escape crowds in August is Nocelle IMO.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Take the bus or ferry to Amalfi either from Sorrento or Salerno as suggested. The driver of a hire car would need nerves of steel and would never be able to take their eyes off the road. It was nerve wracking enough by bus- the driver approached every hairpin bend at top speed with horn blowing! From Amalfi you need to take a bus which winds up, up to Ravello which feels as if it's on the rooftop of the world. Villa Cimbrone gardens are delightful with stunning views. Have fun!