Amalfi coast in 8 days
 

Hi Travelers,

I will be traveling in Campania for 8 days at the end of April. I'm situated in Positano for 4 nights and Sorrento for 3 nights (last night in Rome for flight home). Two days in Sorrento have been set aside for Pompeii/Vesuvius, and Herculaneum/archeology museum in Naples. I'd also like to take a day trip to Capri while in Sorrento. Does anyone have not-to- miss sights/hikes/towns while in Positano, and have I selected wisely in Sorrento???

Also, I don't love twisting roads or heights - what are good travel options????


Thanks for all assistance,
Thel

don't miss Ravello, perched high above Amalfi, the town - if you like to do a short but steep hike there is a sweet trail going up there from Amalfi - going thru a lush valley first with fruit trees up to Ravello and its magnificent views for miles around. I walked back down a different route, zigzagging thru vineyards to the coast.

And yes Sorrento is a wise base for Peompeii, boats to Capri and Naples, etc. I'd say 3 nights in Positano and 4 in Naples from what you say you want to see.

We lived the Amalfi Coast tour with lunch http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it

We also loved our dinner at La Tagliata

http://www.latagliata.com

They will come pick you up and drop you off...great fun!!

I agree with PalenQ...Ravello is a great town to explore. In Capri we walked to the Garden de Augustus. Have fun.

I also loved Ischia, an island that many find as nice as Capri with slightly less crowds and of course no Blue Grotto, which can always be closed off due to high seas with the entrance being rather low. You can't always experience the Blue Grotto on any given day or time.

You only have two days in Sorrento (three hotel nights gives you two sightseeing days). I don't see how you could add a 3rd day for Capri. Maybe change one of your Positano nights to Sorrento (easier to travel around from there).

>>>Also, I don't love twisting roads or heights<<<

I'm surprised you chose Positano as you will have to take twisting, cliff roads to get anywhere from there. Not much ferry service especially that early in the season.

What do you mean by you don;t love heights? Or winding roads?

The road along the entir Amalfi coast is cut into the side of a cliff and I don't think I have seen one more winding. You won;t be doig it at speed - since it will be mobbed except in off season - but if you going outh you will be handing out over the sea for much of the time.

Also, all of the towns in this area are fairly vertical - many with tons (hundreds?) of steps to go up or down from the highway.

I personally think this is a great area and I love it.

But if these are significant problems for you I would look at a lot of photos of the area so you know what you're getting into.

I, too, would never trade a night in Positano for a night in Sorrento!

If you are going at the end of April, the ferries should be running and there are direct ferries between Positano and Capri. You can also take the ferry from Positano to Amalfi and then the bus (or hike) up to Ravello. It is a quaint village with spectacular views. We had a great lunch at Cumpa Cosima in Ravello.

The Sunflower Guide has a great book on hikes on the AC.

I have terrible motion sickness and have great difficulty with curvy roads, but had no problem riding the ferries and was OK with a private driver (explaining to him that he needed to take it easy).

Have a great time in my favorite spot in Italy!

Thanks for all the great recommendations! I think that we will take ekc's suggestion and go straight from Positano to Capri on the first calm sea day. I also love the idea of a ferry to Amalfi then a hike up to Ravello. (I'm going to have to get over the height thing - but a boat is a really good idea!!!)

These seems to be a consensus that La Tagliata is not to be missed and we are getting reservations.

Thanks again to all!
Thel

I have not been to La Tagliata (because I am not a huge fan of being served mountains of grilled meat) but be aware that it is HIGH up in the hills above Positano, so if you have difficulty with heights and/or winding roads this may not be the place for you.

"I also love the idea of a ferry to Amalfi then a hike up to Ravello." -- I loved the idea of hiking DOWN from Ravello to Amalfi! Walking down, the sea is in front of you instead of to your back. You can take a bus from Amalfi to Ravello.

ekc: Thanks for the info on La Tagliata - I didn't know about the height!!! or the meat. I was thinking seafood for all of the Amalfi coast.

kja: Thanks for the bus suggestion from Amalfi to Ravello - two of our group are not great hikers - one way is enough for them.

Thel, we have had excellent seafood dinners at Tre Sorelle on the beach in Pos. Always one of our favorite restaurants when we are there.

I agree with the others that La Tagliata may not appeal if you have a problem with heights. It's a beautiful place to go and one of my favorite restaurants, but it's also 15 minutes up the mountain to Montepertuso.

Easier places to get to in and around Positano: Il Capitano, Lo Guaracino, and, in town, Bucca di Bacco.

Forgot Saraceni D'Oro on Viale Pasitea in Positano. Great pizzeria with wonderful pastas. Half of the restaurant is tables on the street, the other half is in a charming older home that is part hotel. Not to be missed!!