ANY TIPS FOR THE AMALFI COAST
 

In September I will be flying into Rome (4 people) staying for 2 nights and driving to the Amalfi Coast and staying there for a week. I would appreciate any tips regarding what to see along the way, where to eat, what to see in Amalfi, etc. Also, is it possible to visit Sicily while staying in Amalfi?

Amalfi Coast is all to see.<BR>Anyway, along the way, don't miss Marina di Furore ( and don't miss the town, also: it's on the hill ) and Praiano. Ravello is a must !<BR>One week is enough to dine in the best places of Amalfi: GEMMA, LIDO AZZURRO and wine bar CANTINA SAN NICOLA; don't miss coffe and other cakes to Pasticceria PANSA.<BR>Very nice and interesting Minori, close to Amalfi, and its Villa Romana. Tea or coffee and cakes to Pasticceria DE RISO a nice dinner to IL CORTILE DEI MORI.<BR>No problem for other suggestions, if you want.<BR>No, you cannot visit Sicily while staying in Amalfi. So, you can visit Capri.<BR>Feel free e-mail me, I live nearby Amalfi Coast, in Penisola Sorrentina.

By all means, go to Ravello (near Amalfi Town). It's a very nice town with amazing views. We had an amazing lunch at Cumpa Cosimo - I think it's on the Via Roma -- there are little signs all over the place showing you where to go to reach the restaurant. Soooo good.

If you are into antiquity, take a LONG drive to Paestum, there you will see 3 beautiful greek ruins from 550BC that are in phenomenal condition, but the park which they are in closes at 5pm. This is a MUST SEE.

Another vote for Ravello & Cumpa' Cosimo. I'd vote for dinner, with a pre-dinner drink at the Villa Maria, listening to the church bells toll . . .<BR>Say hello to Netta for me.

Hi Donna,<BR><BR>You will have a fabulous trip. I was in the Amalfi region in April, and shared all of my secret tips on shopping, restaurants, hotels, etc. in my travelogue that I posted on fodors.com. Just type in "kiki" to the search box and it will appear. <BR><BR>Have fun!

donna--do text search on "Rome/Amalfi Coast/South driving, hotels, sites" for much more info.<BR>you will have a wonderful experience.

Another vote for Ravello!, and Cumpo Cosima. Try Sunday lunch, but get there early as it gets busy.

I've never been to the Amalfi Coast but, based on feedback from others on this board, I'm saving EVERYTHING recommended by Vincenzo for future reference. He, apparently, gives great advice!

Donna, this is probably one of the rare times that I've ever commented on one of Vincenzo's postings, who is a real maven on Italian tourist destinations! While it does not make much sense to do so, you actually COULD go to Sicily from Amalfi if you REALLY wanted to: the FASTEST way would be to take the SITA bus from Amalfi to Naples (2 hours) (or the hydrofoil from Positano to Naples Mergellina), followed by the 16:30 catamaran to Palermo from Napoli Beverello (4.5 hours). If you wanted to go to Taormina instead, you would take the SITA bus from Amalfi to Salerno (70 mins.) (or the boat from Positano or Amalfi to Salerno), followed by the train (6+ hours). Notice that you waste the better part of a day in this endeavor, which is why I say that combining Amalfi with Sicily is not a logical plan, unless you have two weeks or more availableonly a day or so, which makes no sense (unless to briefly visit relatives). I know that you can easily devote the entire week to the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Capri, Ischia, Procida, Napoli, Caserta, Pompei, and Paestum. There is much more here than you can possibly digest in one week.

Just who is Vincenzo anyway? A composite person who lives in Sorrento?<BR>He seems to give good advice though.

He is an extremely knowledgeable tourism professional who leads high-end specialty tours in Italy. He's given much excellent advice on this site.

Another vote Ravello! and Cumpa' Cosimo, the drive is beautiful. Also you can rent a rubber boat you can go to isolated beaches, we did it in Positano for 4 hours ($120) and were able to go pass Amalfi. In Positano once you get to the beach there's a small kiosk in the center, and there are a couple more on the right side close to the wharf. There are less expensive. Ask for Barbara in the first kiosk.

Correction to my previous posting: the fastest way to reach Sicily from Naples is to fly!

Just wanted to thank everyone for their replies. I think I will leave Sicily out of this trip and save it for another time. My trip is getting closer and I just can't wait to eat at Cumpa Cosimo and see Ravello. Thanks again.

Donna, be prepared to put on a lot of weight! the food is superb. Try a stay over in Sorrento (especially if you are taking a man) have a walk in the square on the night when they stop the traffic -it's magical. Try the main bar for a mix and match pasta and pizza mmmmmm. There is also an excellent little beach, whihc is ironically called the big beach (in italian) the best restaurant to try on the small bay is the one with the largest jetty,(sorry the name escapes me) which goes out the farthest into the sea -brilliant music sometimes as well!!<BR><BR>Have a wonderful time.<BR><BR>Mike