kmc1026

My fiance and I are planning a two week honeymoon in Italy. We are thinking 3 days in Rome and spending the remainder of our time on the Amalfi Coast and Capri. We aren't going to drive, so we are relying primarily on public transport. We would like to have a home base and take day trips, then spend a night or two on Capri before returning to Rome to fly home. What town would you recommend as that home base? We were thinking either Positano or Amalfi, but are open to others as well. Help!

Also, any day trip recommendations would be great! We are thinking a lot of exploring and hiking. We'll be there the first two weeks in September. Thanks in advance!

Rubicund

Congrats on your forthcoming wedding, hope it all goes well. Positano is the most spectacularly beautiful of the AC villages, with its buildings cascading (not literally) down the hillside. Amalfi is much flatter but still attractive.

Positano is better situated if you intend to visit Pompeii and/or Herculaneum while you're there and you can catch a ferry across to Capri from either place in the summer. Both places are busy in the season, but better in the evenings when the day trippers have left. That may not matter much if you are out during the day doing your own sightseeing.

My own choice is always Positano, others prefer Amalfi but whichever you choose, I'd recommend you get your hotel booked quickly, as they do get full way in advance. You may find that some places are already fully booked.

mama_mia

This subjects comes up repeatedly. The search function on fodors is not great, but here are two threads that might help you.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...hout-a-car.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...y-174698-2.cfm

PalenQ

Have yous been to Rome before? If not I'd spend more days there and less in Amalfi =- 12 days seems like a lot unless you like lazying around - lots of neat day trips - Capri - Amalfi towns like Ravello, Amalfi and Positano- Ischia- Pompeii -Paestum and its Greek temples, ascending Mt Vesuvious and Naples -a wonderful old town.

You may want to base in say Positano and Sorrento and do you islands, Naples, Pompeii day trips from there - more frequent boats and trains to Pompeii - spend the rest exploring slowly the Amalfi by bus and or boat.

For lots of great info on transports in Italy and this area check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

HappyTrvlr

I would spend more than two nights on Capri. By the time you get the ferry over and the funicular up, walk to hotel, it makes sense to stay a little longer. We loved Hotel Minerva in a quieter but very scenic area of the island.

denisea

The Path of the Gods between Montepertuso and Bomerano would be a good hike, especially from Positano. (The 1600 steps to Nocelle aren't exactly fun if you do those to start your trek but you'll earn your pasta and wine by doing them). We stayed in Positano and loved it. We did very little except lounge by the pool and sip wine. If you enjoy wine, Swirl the Glass does wonderful trips to wineries for tastings and tours. We really enjoyed the one we took to Tramonti and the Tenuta San Francesco winery (they pick up and drop you off at your hotel).

kja

A good guidebook or two should prove an invaluable investment -- well worth it to make your honeymoon as enjoyable as possible.

TDudette

LOL, HappyTrvlr! I'd spend only one night on Capri. To each his own, eh? Yes, do look at guides to see what calls out.

Positano easier to get to Sorrento for train if needed.

elisgriffiths

The Amalfi Coast is absolutely fabulous. Wherever you decide to stay will be amazing. Positano is probably the most impressive of the towns, but it's also the most expensive. All the best for the wedding, congratulations!

ekc

I rent an apartment in Positano for 8 days each June, so obviously that would be my suggestion. It is the most picturesque of the villages on the AC, has a good selection of beaches, excellent restaurants and a little nightlife, and amazing views.

Path of the Gods is a good hike. The collective widsom is that it is better to start in Bomerano and end in Nocelle. You can then catch the little bus back down to Positano.

There are also a couple of easier hikes that start in/near the center of Amalfi. There is a Sunflower Guide about hikes on the AC.

If you are there for over a week, you could include a day trip to Paestum. You would bus down to Salerno and catch a bus or train from Salerno to Paestum. Amazing Greek temples.

I would also highly recommend a vineyard tour and lunch at Vigne di Raito. You can take the ferry to Salerno and they will arrange for transportation from Salerno to the vineyard (10-15 minutes). You could include a stop at nearby Vietri Sul Mare which is famous for ceramics.

There are a few beach clubs you can visit by shuttle boat for short "day" trips: Arienzo, Tre Ville, Da Adolfo ...

PalenQ

though boats are faster probably when going to say Sorrento be sure to ride the awesome Amalfi Coast buses a bit too - not for nervous Nellies. But buses can get caught in traffic that in September may still be hectic on the narrow road along the coast.

Great uphill walk Amalfi to Ravello -or take bus up and walk down - paved path with steps.

suec1

I vote for at least 3 nights on Capri - I think there is plenty to do, albeit at a leisurely pace. Many walking / hiking opportunities. We stayed 5 nights on Capri on two different trips and did not feel it was too much - we did include some pool time tho!

Sorrento is easiest for day tripping IMO, esp. to Naples, Pompeii, and an overview of the Amalfi coast either by public bus or private driver. Also more connections to Capri from Sorrento. Positano is more scenic but makes getting around a bit more difficult. Not sure about hiking access tho.