Hi everyone! We have been to Italy a couple of times and really love it. But we have not yet seen any of the west coast..just the usual Rome, Florence, Venice route and some of Tuscany.<BR><BR>This time we are thinking of a fall trip (September) or late May/early June of '03 and can't decide between these two coastal zones. In addition to the coast, we'd like to pick a spot that has some other things to see. For Amalfi Coast, we thought we could see Pompeii and Capri. With the Cinque Terre, we thought we could see some of Tuscany that we haven't yet seen (like Lucca?) and also Santa Margarita L or Portofino? Which of these two coastal zones would you prefer and why? Thank you very much for your opinion.

No opinions????

I was once travelling on a train to Florence and we had a week after our visit there to go anywhere we wanted. We asked an old sailor that met on board what he believed was the most beautiful place to visit. Without hesitating he said the "cinque terre". And just like that, we went. It was a trecherous trip over the mountains but once there, it was unlike anything I'd seen. A step back in time really. Unlike other more popular destinations which tend to be predictable if not "touristy!" Have fun!

Monica- they are too totally different appearing areas--<BR>I LOVED the Amalfi coast-windy roads with mts on one side and straight drop off on other-with little auto stop areas tiles in Italian Tiles-gorgeous-<BR>Loved Amalfi and Positano and SOrrento-<BR><BR>Also went to Portofino on another trip and loved that town--very life styles of the rich and famous--pretty sq ovelrooking harbor surrounded by restaurants--Cinqueterre is very hilly-filled with lots of hikers-that is VERY big in that area-you can ferry boat between the islands if you don't plane on doing the hiking bit......

Monica,<BR>we just had 5 weeks in Italy and had 6 nights in Sorrento, seeing the Amalfi coast and 4 nights in Manarola in the Cinque Terre, also stayed in Santa Margherita. It depends on what you like, we found the two areas quite different. CT villages are all lovely but quite small with limited number of places to stay and eat and although the train runs between all the villages, it doesn't run that often. If you enjoy hiking, then you'd enjoy CT.<BR>Sorrento and the Amalfi coast are quite touristy, we loved Ravello and Amalfi. If you base yourself somewhere in that area, I feel there is more to do and see. We caught the ferry to Capri and visited Positano by bus as well. There is also Pompeii to visit.<BR>Santa Margherita is about an hour by train north of CT and Portofino a 20 min bus ride from there. SML is lovely, quite upmarket with expensive shops and enormous yachts in the harbour. <BR>Difficult choice but having seen both, I'd choose the Amalfi coast.<BR>If you choose somewhere in Tuscany, we had 2 nights in San Gimignano and just loved it. Very quiet at night after the tour groups have gone.<BR>Kay

Monica - Go to the Amalfi Coast - it has to be one of the most romantic and beautiful places in the world. My husband and I stayed in Positano for a week and rented a motor bike and toured the entire coast. I will never forget it and opening my bedroom doors in the morning and seeing the gorgeous hills dotted with pastel houses. At night you can hear the music from town and gaze up at the moon over the water. We are going to travel to the Italian Riviera next year but I have been told that it will not compare to the beauty of the Amalfi coast. We will see!

Been to both, can't wait to get back to the Cinque Terre. If I were to go back to the Amalfi Coast, I'd choose to stay in Positano, not Sorrento or Amalfi. I was disappointed by the Amalfi Coast and I'm sure its because I was so taken by the Cinque Terre. Had I visited the Coast first, Cinque Terre second, I really doubt I would have felt so disappointed.