Amalfi Coast by bus?
 

Hello Fellow Travellors! <BR> My wife and I are travelling to Rome (Excellsior Hotel) on Aug 24- Aug 28, then to Sardinia (Cala de Volpe) Aug 29- Sept 2. We have three more nights to plan. It seems that Positano is a favorite of many posting to this site. It sounds like a place we'd enjoy. We'll be flying into Naples on the 2nd of Sept. and be on our own from there on out. We are not good at planning and are more than a liitle concerned by all of driving nightmares we have heard. Is it possible for a couple of English speaking 50 year olds to negociate these few days using the bus system? We can't even program our VCR yet... <BR> <BR> Assuming we obtain a hotel in Positano, what suggestions are there out there as to how to best enjoy our three days in this area? What cities to visit? Is it reasonable to expect we first timers could do our day trips by bus? We can afford tour busses if available. How much does it cost to hire a driver, a guide? How do you connect with them? Is this the heavy traffic season? How about the humidity and temp? PLease let us know your experiences and suggestions. Thanks J&J

I can't advise you re the public buses, but my friend and I had booked a day tour from home. None of the tour buses that collected at the hotel that day had our names, so we were forced to hire a driver for the day. The very helpful concierge at our hotel (Vittoria Excelsior at Sorrento) arranged a driver, who picked us up within 40 minutes of ordering and showed us everything we would have seen by coach. But it was SO much better having the driver, as we could stop when we wanted for as long as we wanted and our driver was a mine of information. I am sure your hotel at Positano would offer a similar service.

Forgot to mention the cost! It was L150,000, which was very reasonable considering the short notice and quality of the service. (Actually I think we ended up paying an extra 30,000 each in tips, but as I said, well worth it). Also tipped the concierge when we got back for his efforts.

Hi Jack and Judith <BR> <BR>We went to Sorrento in Oct 1997 and had no problems with the local buses at all. We were quoted about £30(uk) each for an organised trip which was basically a bus ride from Sorrento to Amalfi and Positano return from the tour companies. <BR> <BR>Instead we went on the local buses for about £3(uk) return and had a great time... The buses were crowded but it was nice to be immersed in the sound of Italian being spoken all around us and we could spend as long as we liked in each place. <BR> <BR>We didnt feel threatened or unsafe, and let's face it, these bus drivers drive the routes endlessly and know every last exhilarating turn!! (You must try andsit on teh coast side of the bus to enjoy the spectacular views...!) <BR> <BR>Other things I would recommend are wondering around the drains area of Sorrento for an evening meal, taking the boat to Ischia for a day, and def. def. see Pompeii. We also enjoyed our clamber up Vesuvuis... <BR> <BR>Hope you have a lovely trip. <BR> <BR>Kavey

We were in Positano in May, and I ditto the advice to seek your hotel's help in getting a private driver if you want to see the coastline. I also wanted to mention that you can take the boat from Positano to Capri and to Amalfi. We did this on two different days. From Amalfi, be sure to take a taxi to see Ravello--we hiked but it was a very tough climb. I was perfectly happy staying in Positano and doing these day trips. I didn't think I would enjoy driving those hairpin turns, no matter what vehicle! Besides, the coastline is beautiful to see from the water.

Forgot to add one thing. Take the short taxi ride from Positano to Montepertuso and treat yourself to a really fine dinner there. I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but the town is tiny--your hotel will know the restaurant.

We drove the Amalfi Coast-four adults. Incredible beauty. But, our plans to drive back via another route were cancelled due to a mud slide. Thus, we drove the coast back at night. NEVER- EVER-AGAIN. It was terrifying (and we are use to Atlanta traffic), vehicles speeding/passing on blind curves, cars literally stopped on side of road to party (lights out), buses and trucks. We were frazzled, exhausted, scared and in need of some serious wine.

Hired a car and driver last Sept through Hotel Rate was 70,000 lire an hour and was the best thing to do. In all the towns he also acted as a tour guide and photographer ( nice little touch) <BR>

Just got back from a week in Sorrento. Be sure to take the time to go to Amalfi and to Ravello. There is a monastery in Ravello the costs 8000 lira but it is worth it. There is a walk through some very nice gardens and at the end is some of the most spectacular views along the Amalfi coast. There is restaurant back in town in Ravello, I can't remember the name, but it was the best meal I had the entire time in Italy. <BR> <BR>I would also say that I would recommend skipping Herculeum (Erculano) and spend more time in Pompei and hiking up Vesuvius. <BR> <BR>Also, if you go to Capri, skip the crows in town and at the grotto and take the bus to Anacapri. There are smaller crowds, cheaper prices, and there is a chairlift up to the top of Mt. Solero. The lift looks a bit rickety but the views of the island from up top are astounding. <BR> <BR>There should be little trouble getting anything you need using only english. Most folks, even in the smaller towns, speak a little english. Sometimes you just need to work a little bit. As for the driving, they drive according to their own customs there, ones which I was not able to decipher. Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the views. The busses are pretty cheap. You can get the tickets inside a tabbachi shop near the bus stop. <BR> <BR>Just be sure to keep track of your valuables. Pickpockets are quite common in Roma and Naples, but you also need to be careful even in other areas.