Amalfi - Help Please!
 

Please forgive the repetition but can anyone help with the following

1) Is it feasible to get from Salerna to Amalfi by ferry in July. And idea where I can get a timetable from.
2) Can't decide between Miramere or Marincanto in Positano. Any comments on access to shops/beach, patio area?
3) How long should you plan on for Pompeii/Vesuvius (with 2 teenage kids interests taken into account !!). Is hiring a driver and including Sorrento/Ravello the best way?

Thanks for this and any other general ideas/advice

Charles

Hi CG

1) Is it feasible to get from Salerna to Amalfi by ferry in July. And idea where I can get a timetable from.

Yes. Have you googled "SalernO ferry schedule"?

Yep and I have found a few sites but none with schedules. I am arriving latish afternnon by train from Rome so was concerned about missing the last one. Someone told me that it can be done but to wait until next summer for new schedules.

Thanks for the reply

When we arrived in Salerno by car, we were too late to catch the last ferry which left at 3:15pm. We ended up hiring a boat/driver to take us to Positano. You could take a bus but I'm not sure of the schedule.

Don't know anything about the Miramere but the Marincanto is in a great location with it's back to the road so no noise. Close enough to the beach to make it a doable walk but high enough for great views. Search on Marincanto for recent reviews.

I haven't taken kids to Vesuvius but with kids in Pompeii, I'd allow a couple of hours and definately hire a guide. On our last trip, the kids lost interest quickly when we tried to 'do it ourselves'.

I recommend taking the ferry to Sorrento for a day trip rather than going by car. Also, make sure you take the kids on the trip to Capri using Salvatore's service. Wonderful trip for all ages!

Ciao . . .

Thanks Parker - if we don't use a driver for the day to do a full tour can you get to and from Pompeii easily enough with regular taxi's?

Thanks for the tip on Capri - I am undecided about that so it is good to hear a recommendation

Cheers

Anyone else have any comments on Capri?
Unfortunately we only have 1.5 days in Amalfi and 2 in Positano so between a trip to Pompeii, short boat trips (Miramare) and relaxing we don't have much more time

Last summer there was an illuminated night tour of Pompeii offered in July and August. We found out about it through the SOrrento tourism office. Our two teens loved it. The tour lasted about two hours, which was just enough for their taste.

I would second a day trip to Capri if the boats from Positano are running. Sometimes the boats don't make the trip due to rough water conditions. My kids loved our touristy trip to the Blue Grotto, where they swam inside with the blue light of the grotto dancing off their bodies. It was quite amazing!

I don't know Miramare or Marincanto ( have only stayed at the Poseidon), but unless your kids don't mind trekking back and forth to town, I'd stay in whichever one is closer to the shops/beach. Miramare has gotten consistently good reviews here on the forum, and also on tripadvisor.com, if that's any help.

Good luck, and have a great time!

Not that I want to critisize your plans but are you staying in both Amalfi and Positano? since they are so close it seems a better idea would be to stay in one location, probably Positano rather than moving twice in 3 days.

David

Can't help with the ferry or beach questions, but I can tell you that I traveled with three different parties in the last month, all of whom toured Pompei. They took 3, 4, and 3 hours. The first group did NOT take a guide and wished that they had--one hour was spent trying to find their way out. It is difficult to follow the various maps that are available because the maps don't always match up with the audio tapes that can also be rented. The last couple with whom we toured read up on Pompei before they went and knew what specific things they wanted to see. Both groups that took guides thought it was well worth it. Pompei's sights are spread out, so you need a plan if you do it on your own. I will also say that we stayed at a great little 3-star about 100 yards from one of the entrances to Pompei, albeit one less used. Post if you are interested in hotel details.

I also stayed three times in Ravello. Your teen-agers will not be quite as enthralled with Ravello as you are. Because it's a bit off the "main" road, it has fewer tourists and only a dozen or so shops. I love Ravello for its beauty, but once you've toured the two villas...

Thanks for all the comments. Pompeii at nights sounds great and David I am thinking twice about staying in both Amalfi and Positano. We stared out by booking in Amalfi which had a lit to do with getting a hotel with a pool and then were repeatedly told that we should stay in Positano so started looking there.

Perhaps we should try for a place in Positano with a pool and stay there the whole time but cost is a factor

That would give us more time to do Capri etc without wasting time moving 30kms up the road!

Hmmmm decisions decisions!!

CGL - You can find ferry timetables from Salerno on:

http://www.salernocity.com/comune/tr...i/costiera.asp

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi cg


http://www.metrodelmare.com/home.htm

Thanks.. Looks like the ferry will work out

At the moment I have booked at the Miramalfi and based on feedback am considering moving to Positano rather than splitting time between the two.

Has anyone got any opinions on the Miramalfi or Amalfi vs Positano?

I will have 2 teenage kids with me who were keen on a pool but I hope that does not limit our choices only to never be used since we will be out and about all the time...I may have to coax them out of that idea!

In my opinion, there's so much more to do in Positano than Amalfi. I think that will be a help as far as the teens are concerned - lots to explore! Many more options for eating out as well. Also, I wouldn't be so concerned about the pool as the beach area is very nice (rocks, not sand) and full of sea glass. I collected a large bowl while there along with sea pottery. We spend 10 days there and stayed on or near the water, taking trips to other towns or tours. It's an amazing town!

Thanks again Parker. I guess the water will be nice in July...and the pool in Amalfi is sea water anyway...

Great opinions and comments which are all helping thank you

I would stay in Positano at the Marincanto (where I stayed on my honeymoon in June). The Marincanto has direct access to the best part of the beach so you don't need a pool. Alamfi is nice for a day trip (easily made by public bus) but Positano is far more picturesque and unique. I'd definitely stay there the whole time.