Back from Campania - General Observations
 

We just got back from a wonderful 2 week trip to Campania. I generally like to start a trip report with some general observations, so here goes.

1) Our itinerary was: 5 nights in Amalfi, 2 nights in Benevento, 2 nights in Capri, 3 nights in Naples.

2) The latter half of May was a good time to go. Even though the weather this year was cooler than usual for May, as far as I’m concerned, cooler is better than warmer (I’m not looking to just sun myself on the beach). We had grey skies at the start of the trip, but beautiful weather the second half. A few showers, but no real rain.

3) I really thought hard about where to stay on the Amalfi coast, and ending up choosing to stay in Amalfi. I am VERY happy with that decision. Amalfi is small, manageable, beautiful… We visited Positano and Sorrento and I’m very glad we didn’t choose to stay in either of those. Flooded with tourists and HUGE.

3) We debated about whether to get a car for the first half of the trip, and were glad we did. Driving the Amalfi Coast road (at least in May) was NOT a big deal – it’s beautiful, and there are lots of sharp turns, but it was really uneventful. Having a car made it easy to get to Ravello and Pompeii on our own schedule. We had minimal problems with directions (no GPS), all manageable. I like the freedom of having a car and this trip was no different.

4) I also read a lot about Naples before deciding to include it – some folks HATED it, some LOVED it. I am in the latter category. It’s such a VIBRANT city, and I never felt in danger at all (other than those scary motor scooters that don’t need to obey traffic laws!). Beautiful churches, piazzas, the most incredible pizza in the universe… I could easily have spent another few days there.

5) It’s definitely worth staying in Capri for at least a few days. Just going for a day trip doesn’t let you really get the flavor of the place. Also there’s just beautiful hiking everywhere. That main piazza with all the expensive stores is the least interesting part of Capri, as far as I’m concerned. If you’re going to go, stay at least a night.

6) Ferries were easy. We dropped off the car in Sorrento and ferried to Capri, and then a few days later ferried to Naples. Easy peasy both times.

7) I’m glad we stayed in Benevento and visited Caserta from there. There are VERY few tourists in that area, particularly American ones, and we were quite the oddity. Much less English than in the more touristy areas. But we ate one of our best meals in Benevento, and the Royal Palace in Caserta is not to be missed, it really does rival Versailles.

I think that’s it for general notes. I’ll post more about what we did, where we stayed, what we ate et c. soon.

Alice

Alice let me be the first to welcome you back and say that I am eagerly looking forward to reading all about your adventures. I am so glad you enjoyed Amalfi and I especially look forward to reading about your foray into "uncharted," at least on this forum, terrain! I am already salivating just thinking of the delectables that you consumed in Benevento!

More, more! Especially looking forward to your details on Naples.

Ah, we had one of best meals in Benevento! And had one of our best 'moments' in Caserta, when we were on a shuttle bus with a field trip full of eight year olds, who peppered us with questions like we were from Mars! ("Americano! Aahh!" "Washington DC! AAAHHHH!").

Alice

Finally! It's refreshing to read of someone's adventures to the REAL Italy. By that I mean Campagnia.

I mean Campania, sorry.

I am probably one of the very few who agrees with you on having a car! We drove to Positano from Rome and used the car for day trips to Amalfi, Ravello, etc. We did not find it difficult or scary.

Can't wait to hear more.

Alice: Will there be more, about Benevento?

Yes, I've been busy, and I have yet to write about Benevento AND about our stay in Amalfi and our day trips from there. I'll do Benevento first, since it's shorter - will try to get to it on the weekend.

It's hard being back at work!

Alice

Alice: I am the reigning queen of the delayed trip report ask my friends on the Asia board about this!) so do not press yourself! I will be eagerly awaiting, whenever you get the time to write!