Amalfi Coast Recommendations
Oct 15th, 2004, 10:56 AM
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Amalfi Coast Recommendations
My husband & I have a conference in Sorrento for 6 days in mid-April and plan to rent a car and spend an additional 5 to 7 days. I'm looking for suggestions on what fellow travelers have found to be the most charming/scenic/delicious towns & villages. Any recommendations on an apt./villa we could rent & use as a base for day trips would also be great. Thanks!
Oct 15th, 2004, 11:55 AM
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hi. i just came back from my honeymoon in Italy. we spent part of our time in the Amalfi area - 2 nights in Sorrento and 2 nights in Positano. one word of advice in Sorrento - be sure to rent a room that is not located on the main street. it is very noisy at night and early in the morning.
you can certainly take a day trip to Capri. i can't recall how much the ferry ride was but it's worth the trip. from Sorrento we also took a train to Pompei. the train was a 30 min ride to Pompei Scavi and cost about E 1.80 one way. just buy a one way ticket because, for some reason, they don't check your tickets on the way back. from Pompei you can easily get to Vesuvius, i think by bus.
i would definitely check out Positano if i were you. i think it is much prettier than Sorrento. not a lot of sights to see, but just to be there is great. i've heard wonderful things about Ravello, although i haven't been there.
good luck!
erin
you can certainly take a day trip to Capri. i can't recall how much the ferry ride was but it's worth the trip. from Sorrento we also took a train to Pompei. the train was a 30 min ride to Pompei Scavi and cost about E 1.80 one way. just buy a one way ticket because, for some reason, they don't check your tickets on the way back. from Pompei you can easily get to Vesuvius, i think by bus.
i would definitely check out Positano if i were you. i think it is much prettier than Sorrento. not a lot of sights to see, but just to be there is great. i've heard wonderful things about Ravello, although i haven't been there.
good luck!
erin
Oct 15th, 2004, 12:03 PM
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Those are all good suggestions, but if you're planning on staying in Almalfi, there's plenty to do and see in 7 days. It'll be more relaxing and you won't feel rushed like you probably would if you go to another city up north.
I would rec of course Positano, as well as Rafello, which is very near by. There are busses that run between. Also, Capri is beautiful, and ferries run frequently. If you can, I would suggest spending a night.
Not to far away is Pompeii, which is a must see
Naples in itself isn't much to look at, but if you've got the time, go for it. It's a cool city in itself. And the food (pizza in particular) is better there than anywhere else in Italy. (It started in Naples).
If you'll have a car you'll be free, and I'm sure you'll find other things to do once you're there. Your hotel will be able to recommend sites better than us.
Oh, and you can also see Mt. Vesuvius. That's pretty cool. It'll be cool then, so you can hike it.
I would rec of course Positano, as well as Rafello, which is very near by. There are busses that run between. Also, Capri is beautiful, and ferries run frequently. If you can, I would suggest spending a night.
Not to far away is Pompeii, which is a must see
Naples in itself isn't much to look at, but if you've got the time, go for it. It's a cool city in itself. And the food (pizza in particular) is better there than anywhere else in Italy. (It started in Naples).
If you'll have a car you'll be free, and I'm sure you'll find other things to do once you're there. Your hotel will be able to recommend sites better than us.
Oh, and you can also see Mt. Vesuvius. That's pretty cool. It'll be cool then, so you can hike it.
Oct 15th, 2004, 12:09 PM
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I would recommend 3 nights in Positano, with a day trip with Salvatore e Genarro
http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/
up and down the Amalfi coast via boat (see my and SurferGirl's trip reports),
a trip up to Montepertuso (tiny town way above Positano), spend time in Praiano (lots on this board about it), and definitely 2 nights in the gorgeous Ravello.
http://www.gennaroesalvatore.it/
up and down the Amalfi coast via boat (see my and SurferGirl's trip reports),
a trip up to Montepertuso (tiny town way above Positano), spend time in Praiano (lots on this board about it), and definitely 2 nights in the gorgeous Ravello.
Oct 15th, 2004, 06:26 PM
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Ciao GS,
My wife and I just retutned from Sorrento. We spent 6 nights at the Hotel Minerva web site(www.acampora.it)email address ([email protected]). This hotel by far has the most spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, Mt. Vesuvius, and the night lights of Sorrento, and Naples. It's an easy 5 minute walk to town. The food is very good. The views from the balcony rooms are incredible. The rooms are large and very clean. Ask for the balcony rooms in the newer section. They are farther away from the busy road in front of the hotel, and very quiet. The hotel has a roof top pool with unobstructed views of the Sea. The staff is very friendly, and professional. We had a car and drove the Amalfi coast all the way to Ravello ( what a beautiful little town ). We ate at Villa Maria's restaurant great food, and views of the Sea below. With all the easy transportation avaliable we dropped our car off 3 days early. It was about 38 euro for both of us to take the Hydrofoil boat to Capri. We walked to the other side of the Island where the famous Faraglioni rocks were. We wakled down a nice trail to the water where the large rocks are located. We had lunch at Da Luigi's restaurant. It was a great experence (few tourist)and very good food. You can also swim in the Sea there if you want. We booked a tour of Pompei and Mt. Vesuvius very dissapointing. It was rushed with very little time to do any self exploration. I would second the recommendation to take the train over to Pompei and not drive. Just spend the day exploring. It's worth spending the day there. It is a short ride to Mt. Vesuvius from Pompei. Driving in and out of Sorrento is not that easy. The street signs are not as helpful as they are in Tuscany, and the town is very, very busy. Driving the Amalfi coast is not that bad, however another reason we dropped our rental car off 3 days early was the problem with parking along the amalfi coast. Very tough to park so you can't stop at the beautiful towns along the way. Your better off taking a boat ride down the coast and stop at all the towns without the parking problem. In closing my wife and I had a great time walking along the coast in Sorrento. Very peaceful and safe. Here are a couple of nice restaurants in Sorrento that are very good. For fresh fish Ristorante Vela Bianca, and L'Antica Trattoria for very good food. Hope this helps. Louie.
My wife and I just retutned from Sorrento. We spent 6 nights at the Hotel Minerva web site(www.acampora.it)email address ([email protected]). This hotel by far has the most spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea, Mt. Vesuvius, and the night lights of Sorrento, and Naples. It's an easy 5 minute walk to town. The food is very good. The views from the balcony rooms are incredible. The rooms are large and very clean. Ask for the balcony rooms in the newer section. They are farther away from the busy road in front of the hotel, and very quiet. The hotel has a roof top pool with unobstructed views of the Sea. The staff is very friendly, and professional. We had a car and drove the Amalfi coast all the way to Ravello ( what a beautiful little town ). We ate at Villa Maria's restaurant great food, and views of the Sea below. With all the easy transportation avaliable we dropped our car off 3 days early. It was about 38 euro for both of us to take the Hydrofoil boat to Capri. We walked to the other side of the Island where the famous Faraglioni rocks were. We wakled down a nice trail to the water where the large rocks are located. We had lunch at Da Luigi's restaurant. It was a great experence (few tourist)and very good food. You can also swim in the Sea there if you want. We booked a tour of Pompei and Mt. Vesuvius very dissapointing. It was rushed with very little time to do any self exploration. I would second the recommendation to take the train over to Pompei and not drive. Just spend the day exploring. It's worth spending the day there. It is a short ride to Mt. Vesuvius from Pompei. Driving in and out of Sorrento is not that easy. The street signs are not as helpful as they are in Tuscany, and the town is very, very busy. Driving the Amalfi coast is not that bad, however another reason we dropped our rental car off 3 days early was the problem with parking along the amalfi coast. Very tough to park so you can't stop at the beautiful towns along the way. Your better off taking a boat ride down the coast and stop at all the towns without the parking problem. In closing my wife and I had a great time walking along the coast in Sorrento. Very peaceful and safe. Here are a couple of nice restaurants in Sorrento that are very good. For fresh fish Ristorante Vela Bianca, and L'Antica Trattoria for very good food. Hope this helps. Louie.
Oct 16th, 2004, 10:21 AM
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You did not mention how far you arewilling to drive, so it's difficult to
offer specific suggestions. The drive along the coast from south of Salerno to Maratea rivals the Amalfi Coast for awesome beauty. At Maratea there is the impressive "Cristo de Maratea" statue on the mountaintop overlooking the entire Gulf of Policastro, which affords a spectacular view of both the coast and the charming village of Maratea. (Be sure to park near the plaza and walk the narrow streets of Maratea if you go that far.) The statue is about 100 ft high and depicts Christ w. outstretched arms--truly awesome. The drive up to the statue from Maratea is much like the drive along the Amalfi Coast except the last kilometer or so is virtually "in the air"--the road is simply supported by a number of tall support beams way above ground level. You have to have faith in Italian civil engineers to drive this one! From Maratea, drive NE toward Trecchina and
then NW to Rivello (not Ravello, which is the popular tourist stop just above the
Amalfi Coast) which is arguably the most picturesque mountain village in Italy.
Imagine a dipped-top ice cream cone covered w. chocolate and you have some
idea of the way Rivello drapes the peak of a tall, slender mountain high above a beautiful valley. And you can drive all the way to the top! At Rivello, you will be very near A3 again, or you can loop back south to the small town of Sapri on
the coast to complete the loop. The entire loop is only 50-60 kilometers, so it's a pleasant half day drive.
Mid-April is a good time to visit--pleasant weather and ahead of the heavy traffic in tourist season. For insight/humor on driving the A.C., do text search on "rules for driving the amalfi coast."
enjoy!
offer specific suggestions. The drive along the coast from south of Salerno to Maratea rivals the Amalfi Coast for awesome beauty. At Maratea there is the impressive "Cristo de Maratea" statue on the mountaintop overlooking the entire Gulf of Policastro, which affords a spectacular view of both the coast and the charming village of Maratea. (Be sure to park near the plaza and walk the narrow streets of Maratea if you go that far.) The statue is about 100 ft high and depicts Christ w. outstretched arms--truly awesome. The drive up to the statue from Maratea is much like the drive along the Amalfi Coast except the last kilometer or so is virtually "in the air"--the road is simply supported by a number of tall support beams way above ground level. You have to have faith in Italian civil engineers to drive this one! From Maratea, drive NE toward Trecchina and
then NW to Rivello (not Ravello, which is the popular tourist stop just above the
Amalfi Coast) which is arguably the most picturesque mountain village in Italy.
Imagine a dipped-top ice cream cone covered w. chocolate and you have some
idea of the way Rivello drapes the peak of a tall, slender mountain high above a beautiful valley. And you can drive all the way to the top! At Rivello, you will be very near A3 again, or you can loop back south to the small town of Sapri on
the coast to complete the loop. The entire loop is only 50-60 kilometers, so it's a pleasant half day drive.
Mid-April is a good time to visit--pleasant weather and ahead of the heavy traffic in tourist season. For insight/humor on driving the A.C., do text search on "rules for driving the amalfi coast."
enjoy!
Oct 25th, 2004, 09:05 PM
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Thanks for the great suggestions - you've given me a great start for planning our trip.
To answer ira's question, we'll definetly have time to do some sightseeing during the conference, but I don't know yet how much. We plan to stay a week or so after the conference ends, and that's the part I get to plan! Any suggestions on hotels or B&B's in any of the small towns you all have recommended?
To answer ira's question, we'll definetly have time to do some sightseeing during the conference, but I don't know yet how much. We plan to stay a week or so after the conference ends, and that's the part I get to plan! Any suggestions on hotels or B&B's in any of the small towns you all have recommended?
Oct 25th, 2004, 10:24 PM
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I will second -- or third -- the suggestion to stay in Positano. Not only is it incredibly beautiful and charming, but there are boats that leave right from the dock at the beach to head to Amalfi, Capri, and Ischia for day trips. If you can afford Le Sirenuse, by all means stay there, but thre are plenty of less expensive options also -- Hotel Poseidon, L'Ancora, Villa Rosa, Villa La Tartana.
Even if you don't stay in Positano, definitely go there one night to have drinks by the pool at Le Sirenuse or the Poseidon. As lovely as it is in the daytime, the sparkling lights on the cliffs overlooking the sea are really something at night.
Even if you don't stay in Positano, definitely go there one night to have drinks by the pool at Le Sirenuse or the Poseidon. As lovely as it is in the daytime, the sparkling lights on the cliffs overlooking the sea are really something at night.
Oct 26th, 2004, 04:39 AM
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Hi gs,
If you wish to stay another week on the AC, I can recommend the Hotel Le Sirene in Praiano.
See www.lesirene.com
I don't recommend a car.
You might find the Naples/AC part of my trip report helpful.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
If you wish to stay another week on the AC, I can recommend the Hotel Le Sirene in Praiano.
See www.lesirene.com
I don't recommend a car.
You might find the Naples/AC part of my trip report helpful.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044
Nov 1st, 2004, 01:21 PM
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Hi gs,
I don't recommend acar because there is very good bus service and very limited parking.
The AC has one main road and it can be very congested. It takes only one tour bus to bring traffic to a halt.
I don't recommend acar because there is very good bus service and very limited parking.
The AC has one main road and it can be very congested. It takes only one tour bus to bring traffic to a halt.
Nov 1st, 2004, 04:01 PM
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My husband and I literally got back from the Amalfi coast yesterday. I plan on writing a trip report, but in the meantime, we rented an apartment for the week from SummerInItaly.com. Granted, you have to make your own bed and clean your own room, there's something about having your "own place" and it was well within our humble budget.
We stationed ourselves in Praiano, a very quiet town with wonderful people. The apartment we originally rented was small and simple (1 bed/1 bath/kitchenette) with a large patio with an incredible view, but since it needed some repair, the owner "offered" us his other property. In short we were upgraded to a two-story 3 bed/2 bath villa with two balconies and a large patio with an incredible view. We plan on going back very soon.
We stationed ourselves in Praiano, a very quiet town with wonderful people. The apartment we originally rented was small and simple (1 bed/1 bath/kitchenette) with a large patio with an incredible view, but since it needed some repair, the owner "offered" us his other property. In short we were upgraded to a two-story 3 bed/2 bath villa with two balconies and a large patio with an incredible view. We plan on going back very soon.
Nov 1st, 2004, 05:39 PM
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If you decide to spend a night or two in Capri, I recommend the Hotel Luna, ask for a room with a view of the Faraglioni. Capri is very beautiful after all the day trippers leave, although April won't be as crowded as the summer.
Definitely don't drive in Naples, they are crazy drivers. I recommend hiring a local driver. We've used Carmine Foggia many times, he drives, speaks English, and is very knowledgeable of Naples and the Amalfi coast. His email is [email protected]
Definitely don't drive in Naples, they are crazy drivers. I recommend hiring a local driver. We've used Carmine Foggia many times, he drives, speaks English, and is very knowledgeable of Naples and the Amalfi coast. His email is [email protected]
Nov 2nd, 2004, 06:43 AM
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whether or not to rent a car depends on how adventurous you want to be. if you want to be able to check out the backroads, strike out on a whim to see something, stay out late or set out particularly early, the flexibility of a car is far better than the bus. (sometime, the buses are also VERY crowded.) and if you enjoy driving, the A.C. is exhilirating. but if you don't enjoy driving, it can be intimidating. as i indicated above, you will be ahead of the heavy traffic season by visitng in april.
Nov 2nd, 2004, 10:42 AM
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The Amalfi coast is beautiful and scenic, but Rome is exciting and unforgettable. On our first family trip to Italy in June with teens, some of our most mind-boggling, awe-inspiring moments were in Rome.
The whole family was thrilled to see St. Peter's Basilica and the ancient Pantheon building...It's hard to thrill today's teens, but they found these experiences awesome. Rome has other incredible sights as well...the Trevi fountain, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums...
Can you end your trip in Rome and fly out of Rome?
Going back to the Amalfi Coast, if you want to eat very fresh seafood at a local place with great prices and a friendly owner, stop at Bar Trattoria Armandino on the beach at Praiano (Marina di Praiano). It's on a tiny beach and has a laid-back feel. This is a place to get away from the crowded touristy areas.
The whole family was thrilled to see St. Peter's Basilica and the ancient Pantheon building...It's hard to thrill today's teens, but they found these experiences awesome. Rome has other incredible sights as well...the Trevi fountain, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Vatican Museums...
Can you end your trip in Rome and fly out of Rome?
Going back to the Amalfi Coast, if you want to eat very fresh seafood at a local place with great prices and a friendly owner, stop at Bar Trattoria Armandino on the beach at Praiano (Marina di Praiano). It's on a tiny beach and has a laid-back feel. This is a place to get away from the crowded touristy areas.
Nov 2nd, 2004, 11:27 AM
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oh, melissajoy, I loved Armindinos too. While we were walking up, the rowboat was just pulling up to the dock with the day's catch, talk about fresh seafood. Three of the fisherman's dogs were playing by the rowboats and Armindino is a character too, isn't he? It is a nice quirky place to spend the evening, I go there on every trip.
