Amalfi Coast - Advice re: home base
 

Hi-- So I've been lurking around here the last few days and have managed to put together a trip to include Tuscany & the Amalfi Coast.... thanks to all on the board as the info is wonderful.

In any case, part two of my plan goes like this:
-10/29: Leave Montepulciano - drive to Sorrento
-10/30: Capri (maybe) / Sorrento
-10/31, 11/1, 11/2 Positano/Amalfi and other surrounding areas.

So my question is, does it make sense to stay in Sorrento for 2 nights and then Positano for 2 nights or should I skip the hassle of moving, pick a place in Positano for the whole time and just drive back and forth?

(We will have a car)

Thanks in advance for the advice!

PS: Does anyone know about how long it takes to drive from Positano back to Rome?

I haven't visited Sorrento but we were in Positano last month and absolutely loved it.

Here's a link to my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34871283

For 4 days I would just stay in Positano. From Positano you can do a day trip to Sorrento (about 30 minute drive), take a ferry to Capri (if they are running), and drive to Amalfi & Ravello.

We had a driver from FCO to Positano and it took about 3.5 hours. Assume you are going to get lost a few times so it will probably take 4-5 hours.

p.s. Seriously consider whether you really want that car.

As far as a base, it really depends what you want to do. Sorrento has better transportation connections to Pompeii ( the train takes about 30 minutes), Capri ( hydrofoil or reg. ferry) and many of the Amalfi Coast towns ( by Sita bus, about 30 min. to Positano, a little longer to Amalfi). But Positano is much more beautiful and quintessentially Italian. In some ways, Sorrento feels like tourist central, though that might not be as big a problem in October.

ahh.. thanks for the advice-- that's what I needed. I think I'll look for a home base for the entire period and save us the trouble of moving around.

Cheers!

PS: Saps... AWESOME trip report.... if you're not already a writer, you should consider being one. Hysterical stuff... enjoyed the trip report (you're wife is a lucky one ;) )

thanks brink. Have a wonderful trip.

Hi B,

I also suggest:

a. finding one place and staying there
b. reconsidering having a car on the AC, especially in Nov.

For what it would cost to keep the car on the AC and driving it to Rome, you could drop it in Sorrento, have a driver take you to Naples and train to Rome.

Be prepared for iffy weather. It could be cold, rainy, windy and foggy or spectacularly beautiful and warm on any given day.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))