Amalfi Coast/Capri help needed
 

My husband and I are planning a ten night trip to the Amalfi Coast/Capri for next June- in and out from Naples (arriving in the late afternoon and departing early in the morning). We need some assistance with recommendations for a base/bases and division of time amongst them. Our initial thoughts were 4 nights in Capri, 5 nights in Positano and the last night in Naples.

Just a thought: Since this question, or a close variation, gets asked very often here, you might try a search for "Amalfi coast base," or something similar.

And to get more meaningful answers, you should tell us more about your tastes. Is this your first trip to the area?
How much do you want to pay, maximum, for a hotel? Do you want to visit Pompeii and other "sites," or just relax?

Do you mean that you are flying into and out of Naples?
Do you have any interest in seeing the city of Naples?

To be more specific: we are flying in and out from Naples, we would like to spend between 260-300 Euros per night, this trip would be a combination of relaxation, touring sites and day hiking. In terms of Naples-- we are interested in visiting the museum

In Naples, this is a very nice small hotel near the museum; we toured the hotel but did not stay there.


http://www.costantinopoli104.com/en/home

This is where we stayed, for 190 euro double; I recommend it highly, although it is not near the arch. museum; the surrounding area is much nicer than the one near the museum:


http://www.palazzoalabardieri.it/

Hi A,

I second ek's hotel suggestion.

I also suggest 2 nights in Naples - there is more to it than just the museum.

If you wouldn't mind saving money on a hotel, I can highly recommend www.lesirene.com in Praiano.

((I))

www.hotelsantacaterina.it

My fav base venture out from there.

Naples worth 1 night only

Capri 2

Amalfi coast the rest for me

best of breed.

Both Amalfi and Praiano are good alternatives to Positano. However, would 4 nights in Capri be too much?

Have been to the Amalfi Coast 4 times and have always made Sorrento our home base. This only works if you have a car. All of the places on the coast are pretty small. Sorrento always is busy with locals and you can drive anywhere on the coast in one day. I hace stopped in Positano and then driven to Amalfi for dinner on the same day. No problem.

I actually like your original plan. I think it is perfect.

I realize that there is more to Naples than the Archaeological Museum, but not much outside of the museum was to my taste. The museum was really the highlight of my time in Naples this past May. I would not have missed seeing it, but I am not really interested in more time in Naples.

We were in Capri for 3 nights, and could easily have stayed for another. We did a lot of hiking and there were still places we missed. My only advice is to train a bit, because those hills are killers and it may be hot in June. We stayed in budget lodgings so I can't recommend a hotel to you. I would get one with a pool if I could afford it.

We spent 4 nights in Positano a few years back, and I could easily have spent another night. Again, there were plenty of things that we didn't get to do.

We loved our splurge hotel, the Poseidon. Great pool, lovely service, and fabulous food. There was a tenor out on the pool terrace one night, entertaining all of us and it was so special.
http://www.hotelposeidonpositano.it/

My feeling is that if you go to Amalfi seaside, there are no "sights" worth leaving one's beautiful terrace to see, unless you are mad for Italian gardens and therefore must see Ravello. Otherwise, you can buy a spectacular private terrace view in touristy Capri, touristy Positano or touristy Ravello and even touristy Amalfi.

Pick one. Enjoy the view from your terazzo and the many find restaurants near your hotel. Relax.

If you really would get something out of seeing Pompeii and don't want the bustle of Napoli, book yourself into Sorrento or Salerno, or Pompeii itself, for two or three nights. The archeological site, in combination with the archelogical museum, is more than worth that much time for people interested in history and art.

Otherwise, skip it and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the coast from one spot.

PS: I am firmly in the camp that Napoli is one of the premiere destinations for people who love and want to understand Italy and its history, not to mention of the world's finest eating destinations, and an absolute riot of important art. I'm fully aware its chaos and dirt repel many people, and pass no judgment on it. It's not a resort like the Amalfi. I see no reason to go if you're not interested in Italy as a country.

I also think your original plan is good, and if you only want one museum in Naples, that can probably be done after the travel time to get there that day. Not that there isn't much more to do in Naples (I haven't stayed there, I'm just saying that from the research I've done when I thought I would be there for three nights).

Four nights is not too much on Capri. I was there for three nights last month and could have happily stayed another night. I don't know where tuscanlifedit took the train on Capri, as there aren't any.

I also have to disagree with oinchats about having to have a car in Sorrento. Most people stay in Sorrento specifically because of the convenient local transportation (bus, train, boat) to other spots on the Amalfi Coast. I stayed there for five nights last month because I had free hotel and didn't have a car and went to Positano, Amalfi & Ravello with public transportation.

OK, I just realized that tuscanlifedit meant that you should "train" for hiking...in other words, get in shape for the hikes. Sorry about that! :-d

Many thanks for all the great info!!
Seems we will stick to the 4 nights in Capri and 5 in Positano. From Positano, we can take a day trip to Pompeii & Herculeaneum and possibly another to Paestum. For Naples, we'll need to decide between Palazzo Alabardieri & Constantinopoli 104. Tentatively,
have picked La Minerva for Capri and Hotel Marincanto for Positano.

SusanP: that is too funny. I could have used a train hiking up some of those hills.

About Naples being the real Italy: Of course it's real; it's there, isn't it? I just didn't like it. Actually, I disliked most of it.

It's ok. I've been to Italy many times, and hope to go back many more.

But a woman actually punched me as I walked by in Naples. What the heck? There were big ugly above ground oxygen tanks, and way too many tacky tacky shops. Rude teens, desolate looking public spaces, even the Archeaological Museum was badly in need of extensive repair, and poorly maintained.

Since I've been mildly insulted, I felt a need to justify myself but it hardly matters. I don't think I'm a Philistine because I didn't like Naples, and if I'm ok with me, then all is well.

tuscanlifedit, you're right, a train would have been helpful a couple of times on Capri! :-d

I don't think anyone should have to defend themselves if they don't like a certain place. Rome is my favorite place, and then I read a post where someone hated it. I'm certainly not offended, I just wonder how they missed so much! Just think how awful the world would be if we all liked the same thing!

Did anyone in this thread say Napoli is the "real" Italy?

No.

Did anyone call you or anybody who dislikes Napoli "a Philistine"?

No.

Was it written several times in this thread that many people don't like Napoli, and that no judgment was passed on people who don't like it?

Yes-- you can read it written write here.

Does it still remain the case that Napoli is a place any traveler interested in Italy as a country would find illuminating to visit -- above ground oxygen tanks and desolation and all -- ?

Yep.

typo -- that was supposed to be "right" for "write"

By the way, there are lots of places I'm eager to visit and enjoy, even though I've not much interest in the country they are located in as a whole. In fact, probably 60 percent of the world.

But Napoli is, both historically and today, a driving force in every aspect of Italia. I can't imagine someone being interested in the U.S. as a country and not spending time in New York -- even though as a vacation destination, I think it sucks.

Regarding mention of the Santa Caterina above: They have some incredible deals for off season dates. They certainly did not offer those discounts when I was in Amalfi a few months ago! If you can get a rate like those I would book now!