Best way to get from Naples to Ravello?
Apr 5th, 2006, 03:56 AM
#21
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I think you are all right....unless I can stay in Revello a few nights and delete Zurich, I don't think I'll go to Revello--great point about bad (and colder) weather too.
In terms of there being nothing to do in Revello--is there any shopping right in town? Or neighboring towns to explore easily (w/out doing 3 modes of transportation)?
In terms of there being nothing to do in Revello--is there any shopping right in town? Or neighboring towns to explore easily (w/out doing 3 modes of transportation)?
Apr 5th, 2006, 04:14 AM
#22
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R*A*vello 
Not much there at all, really - it's a very small village. I remember a wine shop, & one or two tourist shops selling the brightly coloured pottery you get around there. All there is to do, apart from just relaxing & enjoying the views, is to visit to 2 famous gardens. We also managed to attend a concert in one of the gardens - but it rained & we had to go indoors. I regretted staying there & not just visiting it as a day trip.
What sort of shopping do you want to do ? The centre of Positano is all boutiques, and Amalfi (& no doubt Sorrento, which I haven't been to) has some tourist shops selling stuff like the pottery. Amalfi is more of a 'normal' town whereas Positano is exclusively aimed at tourists.
I've only just seen your full proposed schedule - let me see if I understand this. You have a total of 10 days - and you are aiming to spend one night in Ravello (or elsewhere on the Amalfi Coast) and 4 nights in Ischia - and the rest of the time travelling ?!? This is beserk ! How much of it have you already booked ?
Even setting aside the fact that the weather on the Amalfi Coast/Ischia may not be good in early May...
Not much there at all, really - it's a very small village. I remember a wine shop, & one or two tourist shops selling the brightly coloured pottery you get around there. All there is to do, apart from just relaxing & enjoying the views, is to visit to 2 famous gardens. We also managed to attend a concert in one of the gardens - but it rained & we had to go indoors. I regretted staying there & not just visiting it as a day trip.What sort of shopping do you want to do ? The centre of Positano is all boutiques, and Amalfi (& no doubt Sorrento, which I haven't been to) has some tourist shops selling stuff like the pottery. Amalfi is more of a 'normal' town whereas Positano is exclusively aimed at tourists.
I've only just seen your full proposed schedule - let me see if I understand this. You have a total of 10 days - and you are aiming to spend one night in Ravello (or elsewhere on the Amalfi Coast) and 4 nights in Ischia - and the rest of the time travelling ?!? This is beserk ! How much of it have you already booked ?
Even setting aside the fact that the weather on the Amalfi Coast/Ischia may not be good in early May...
Apr 5th, 2006, 05:03 AM
#24
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You are right--I'm trying to take advantage of an amazing hotel deal but I never realized Ravello was so difficult to get to.
It all seemed so easy and relaxing until I looked at the logistics. I think Ravello is out and maybe we'll just spend a couple of nights in Naples or somewhere closer on the coast such as Sorrento or Positano.
Ravello sounds beautiful but maybe too quiet for a couple of days anyway.
I'm now worrying about the weather too! So stressful trying to plan a way to relax!!
It all seemed so easy and relaxing until I looked at the logistics. I think Ravello is out and maybe we'll just spend a couple of nights in Naples or somewhere closer on the coast such as Sorrento or Positano.
Ravello sounds beautiful but maybe too quiet for a couple of days anyway.
I'm now worrying about the weather too! So stressful trying to plan a way to relax!!
Apr 5th, 2006, 05:08 AM
#25
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I don't shop, but my memory of Ravello is that it had lots (too many) cermanics shops and some small food shops (limoncellos, jarred preserves, olives, etc.) But I'm talking perhaps two streets of them.
It's not easy to explore the neighboring towns, because you have to get to the coastal road, which means a taxi or bus ride down a very steep hill, and then another bus ride or (paying more in a taxi) to nearby Atrani and Amalfi, or more distant Positano). Also, I didn't find much point to the exploration. What one finds is mostly tourist shops.
Unlike Caroline, I was glad I stayed in Ravello, and thought I wasted my time daytripping to Amalfi and Positano. (Atrani was actually my favorite, and had I more time, I would have headed south.) I like doing nothing! ;-) That said, however, I don't think I'd ever make an effort to return anywhere to the Amalfi coast, certainly not on my own dollar. I would revisit Napoli, Sorrento and Pompeii (and other parts of Campania).
It's not easy to explore the neighboring towns, because you have to get to the coastal road, which means a taxi or bus ride down a very steep hill, and then another bus ride or (paying more in a taxi) to nearby Atrani and Amalfi, or more distant Positano). Also, I didn't find much point to the exploration. What one finds is mostly tourist shops.
Unlike Caroline, I was glad I stayed in Ravello, and thought I wasted my time daytripping to Amalfi and Positano. (Atrani was actually my favorite, and had I more time, I would have headed south.) I like doing nothing! ;-) That said, however, I don't think I'd ever make an effort to return anywhere to the Amalfi coast, certainly not on my own dollar. I would revisit Napoli, Sorrento and Pompeii (and other parts of Campania).
Apr 5th, 2006, 05:11 AM
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Regarding weather, it's always a crap shoot. I was there in the second week of April last year, and while I had one overcast evening and a rainy afternoon, I was peeling off clothes as I walked around in the mid-afternoon.
It's one of the reasons I don't like to go to destinations so completely dependent on the weather, or if I do, I try to give my self a run of days there to optimize my chances of getting some enjoyment out of it, or at less some genuine relaxation.
It's one of the reasons I don't like to go to destinations so completely dependent on the weather, or if I do, I try to give my self a run of days there to optimize my chances of getting some enjoyment out of it, or at less some genuine relaxation.
Apr 5th, 2006, 05:59 AM
#27
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But JES, even if you forget Ravello, you are still spending 7/8 days travelling in order to spend 3 nights on Ischia !!!
I realise you are constrained by where you can fly to using your FF miles, but have you considered just spending 2-3 days travelling & 7-8 days enjoying yourself in Belgium/Switzerland/anywhere a shortish train ride away ?
I do love the Amalfi Coast & will be going back for my 4th visit in June, but I wouldn't go if it involved the amount of travelling you are planning.
I realise you are constrained by where you can fly to using your FF miles, but have you considered just spending 2-3 days travelling & 7-8 days enjoying yourself in Belgium/Switzerland/anywhere a shortish train ride away ?
I do love the Amalfi Coast & will be going back for my 4th visit in June, but I wouldn't go if it involved the amount of travelling you are planning.
Apr 5th, 2006, 06:10 AM
#28
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Caroline has a point in suggesting relaxing in northern Europe, but if JES drops Ravello, seems to me she is spending one 24-hour stretch to get to Naples. She can immediately take a boat to Ischia and spend the next 8 days in Ischia, or she could spend some of the time in Naples itself.
Many people fly from the US to spend a week's vacation in Capri or Ischia. It's a shame JES has so many plane changes, but she might think it's worth the effort to get to Italy. Even in early May it is bound to warmer than Belgium.
But mmmmmmm: Waffles.
Many people fly from the US to spend a week's vacation in Capri or Ischia. It's a shame JES has so many plane changes, but she might think it's worth the effort to get to Italy. Even in early May it is bound to warmer than Belgium.
But mmmmmmm: Waffles.
Apr 5th, 2006, 12:38 PM
#29
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I'm so confused--I'm not sure what to do! On the one hand I can go spend time in Ischia--probably wait until the 3rd week in May weatherwise. Or I was also thinking possibly Barcelona with maybe a stopover in Zurich. I just didn't want to spend my vacation in a city b/c I'm in a city every day (NY)...but I have never been to Spain. Also, the hotels I have deals with certainly aren't as plush as those on the AC...but they are available.
Apr 5th, 2006, 07:09 PM
#30
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I'm not going to be much help here because I dislike Barcelona and I've never been to Ischia.
However, I will point out that it is probably easier to get to a picturesque quiet town on the Spanish Mediterrean from Barcelona than it is to get to Ravello from Napoli. Any hotels you can get along the Mediterranean?
Otherwise, I'd stick with Ischia, especially later in May.
However, I will point out that it is probably easier to get to a picturesque quiet town on the Spanish Mediterrean from Barcelona than it is to get to Ravello from Napoli. Any hotels you can get along the Mediterranean?
Otherwise, I'd stick with Ischia, especially later in May.
Apr 5th, 2006, 07:25 PM
#31
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ness...why didn't you like Barcelona?
I think it's easier to get anywhere other than to Ravello from Naples
No hotels along the Mediterranean. Just Barcelona, Marbella, Malaga (I've read the latter two are not worth going to)
And in Italy (other than Revello & Ischia)..Camogli, Portifino, Florence (love but have been many times), Milan, Naples & Palermo.
I think it's easier to get anywhere other than to Ravello from Naples
No hotels along the Mediterranean. Just Barcelona, Marbella, Malaga (I've read the latter two are not worth going to)
And in Italy (other than Revello & Ischia)..Camogli, Portifino, Florence (love but have been many times), Milan, Naples & Palermo.
Apr 5th, 2006, 07:48 PM
#32
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Excuse me, but you have a chance to go to Camogli and you're not packing right now? Is it the Cenobbio al Doge?
As for Barcelona, I don't admire Gaudi's architecture, I'm sort of allergic to separatist cultures -- although Barcelona is also wild for internationalism and globalsation (it's just anti-Spain!). I found the Ramblas unpleasant, it's hard for me to start dinner at 10pm, somebody tried to rob me my first day there (I won the arm-wrestle for my bag), and the next day someone stole my husband's wallet.
In general, Barcelona gave me a feeling there is a constant party going that I'm not invited to and I'm not sure I want to go even if I am. I have friends who deeply love it for its many freedoms.
In its favor, the food is fantastic, the architecture of Luis i Domenech Montaner is quite beautiful (and so are Barcelona chairs), I love the modern layout of the city (on diagonals) it's a place of its own, energetically working out its own future, not a tourist destination.
What has kept Ravello special is that it is so hard to get to. That's the trade-off.
So what's the offer for Camogli?
As for Barcelona, I don't admire Gaudi's architecture, I'm sort of allergic to separatist cultures -- although Barcelona is also wild for internationalism and globalsation (it's just anti-Spain!). I found the Ramblas unpleasant, it's hard for me to start dinner at 10pm, somebody tried to rob me my first day there (I won the arm-wrestle for my bag), and the next day someone stole my husband's wallet.
In general, Barcelona gave me a feeling there is a constant party going that I'm not invited to and I'm not sure I want to go even if I am. I have friends who deeply love it for its many freedoms.
In its favor, the food is fantastic, the architecture of Luis i Domenech Montaner is quite beautiful (and so are Barcelona chairs), I love the modern layout of the city (on diagonals) it's a place of its own, energetically working out its own future, not a tourist destination.
What has kept Ravello special is that it is so hard to get to. That's the trade-off.
So what's the offer for Camogli?
Apr 6th, 2006, 03:50 AM
#33
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If you tell us what you already have booked & set in stone - just flights US-Brussels & Zurich-US ? - people will be very willing to suggest nice relaxing, non-city places you could get to easily & not waste so much time travelling.
Apr 6th, 2006, 04:35 AM
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JES, first of all NO, I do not think you are crazy to do this trip. Last year over Memorial weekend I did:
1-Flew Newark to London, changed in London for flight to Naples. Took city bus from airport to harbor in Naples, stayed one night at Excelsior (cheap corp rate of e119)--but was able to walk around the city, see the sights have fantastic pizza and a wonderful dinner on the terrace of my hotel. Next morning I walked to the Ferry terminal & took a ferry to Sorrento where I took a taxi (the only one of my trip) to the Hilton for 2 nights. I then walked back thru Sorrento to the ferry for a trip over to Capri. Back from Capri, I explored Sorrento a bit more on my walk back to the Hilton. Next day, walked back into town, took the public bus to Amalfi along the famous twisting road, walked around the town center in Amalfi, and back at the harbor took the city bus up to Ravello, which was nice and had great views, but for me--travelling alone was enough. Bus back down to Amalfi harbor & then bus back to Sorrento. The bus stop in Sorrento is right next to the local train-- which I then took to Pompeii (short 15 min ride.) By this time it was about 4pm, so entrance to Pompeii was FREE!!
Two hours later, I returned from Pompeii
and had a nice cool Lemoncello at a cafe fronting the Sorrento harbor and another quick tour around Piazza Sasso and a stroll back to my Hotel. Next am explored the area a bit more, before taking the express bus (e9) from Sorrento to Naples airport, for my flight back. Yes, I did a lot (as you plan to do as well), in a relatively short period of time, but travelling solo & light (only one small rolling carry-on) made it easy to travel & make spur of the minute decisions (i.e. the train to Pompeii from Sorrento, just happened to be arriving as I got off the bus from Amalfi/Ravello).
In short-- do the trip as you planned, you can always return for a bit of a longer visit to certain spots. Take public transportation--it's easy & much cheaper. Leave time to be flexible and enjoy your trip.
PS- here are some pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-bax844
1-Flew Newark to London, changed in London for flight to Naples. Took city bus from airport to harbor in Naples, stayed one night at Excelsior (cheap corp rate of e119)--but was able to walk around the city, see the sights have fantastic pizza and a wonderful dinner on the terrace of my hotel. Next morning I walked to the Ferry terminal & took a ferry to Sorrento where I took a taxi (the only one of my trip) to the Hilton for 2 nights. I then walked back thru Sorrento to the ferry for a trip over to Capri. Back from Capri, I explored Sorrento a bit more on my walk back to the Hilton. Next day, walked back into town, took the public bus to Amalfi along the famous twisting road, walked around the town center in Amalfi, and back at the harbor took the city bus up to Ravello, which was nice and had great views, but for me--travelling alone was enough. Bus back down to Amalfi harbor & then bus back to Sorrento. The bus stop in Sorrento is right next to the local train-- which I then took to Pompeii (short 15 min ride.) By this time it was about 4pm, so entrance to Pompeii was FREE!!
Two hours later, I returned from Pompeii
and had a nice cool Lemoncello at a cafe fronting the Sorrento harbor and another quick tour around Piazza Sasso and a stroll back to my Hotel. Next am explored the area a bit more, before taking the express bus (e9) from Sorrento to Naples airport, for my flight back.
Yes, I did a lot (as you plan to do as well), in a relatively short period of time, but travelling solo & light (only one small rolling carry-on) made it easy to travel & make spur of the minute decisions (i.e. the train to Pompeii from Sorrento, just happened to be arriving as I got off the bus from Amalfi/Ravello). In short-- do the trip as you planned, you can always return for a bit of a longer visit to certain spots. Take public transportation--it's easy & much cheaper. Leave time to be flexible and enjoy your trip.
PS- here are some pics:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-bax844
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:08 AM
#35
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Yes ness, it's Cenobbio al Dogi and Portofino Kulm--do you know them both? I did consider it strongly, but read on other posts that it's quiet up there with not much to do. The hiking sounds great, but I worried about being a little bored. I love to sit at cafes and ppl watch but felt like I might want more.
Plus, it is much further up North so I worried about weather.
Should I re-think this? Do you like it there better than the Amalfi Coast?
I lost my hold on the air tickets and it's not available now so I have to keep calling to see what is available and if there is an easier route. In the meantime I am STRESSING about where to go.
My husband is intrigued by the Neopolitan pizza. Food does rule our lives.
They have seats open to Barcelona but I'm not psyched for a city and am also looking into what is surrounding that I might like.
So Caroline--I have nothing set right now.
Mauld--thanks so much for your write up. It makes it feel much more doable. Travel was a little easier when I was flying solo. I don't think I would be as worried about it if my I didn't keep imagining my DH complaining about dragging the bags everywhere and not feeling like he's relaxing.
Plus, it is much further up North so I worried about weather.
Should I re-think this? Do you like it there better than the Amalfi Coast?
I lost my hold on the air tickets and it's not available now so I have to keep calling to see what is available and if there is an easier route. In the meantime I am STRESSING about where to go.
My husband is intrigued by the Neopolitan pizza. Food does rule our lives.
They have seats open to Barcelona but I'm not psyched for a city and am also looking into what is surrounding that I might like.
So Caroline--I have nothing set right now.
Mauld--thanks so much for your write up. It makes it feel much more doable. Travel was a little easier when I was flying solo. I don't think I would be as worried about it if my I didn't keep imagining my DH complaining about dragging the bags everywhere and not feeling like he's relaxing.
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:17 AM
#36
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Mauld--thanks so much for sharing your photos! They look amazing and make me want to go. I had to send the pizza photo to my hubby--he keeps asking me what makes it so good and I think that photo says it all.
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:27 AM
#37
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JES, I did feel a bit funny taking that photo in the restaurant, but it was so BIG & tasted sooooo GOOD and was also pretty cheap. I don't think you can get a bad pizza anywhere in that area.
I am lucky that my husband doesn't like to travel (& that I like to do so solo!). Lots less tension & arguments that way. My trips are all just over long weekends, in fact next week I'm going to the South of France (into Nice, staying in Juan les Pins)--fly out Thurs nite with a return Sun (Easter).
I am lucky that my husband doesn't like to travel (& that I like to do so solo!). Lots less tension & arguments that way
. My trips are all just over long weekends, in fact next week I'm going to the South of France (into Nice, staying in Juan les Pins)--fly out Thurs nite with a return Sun (Easter).
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:28 AM
#38
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Portofino Kulm is not within walking distance of anything so I'd nix that, but Cenobbio al Doge is a beautiful position in a great little town with a train station that will take you to a lot of different places, incuding Genova, just 25 minutes away by train.
I infinitely prefer Camogli to the Amafli simply because it is one of the few Italian seaside towns left that isn't overrun with tacky tourist shops catering to Americans on shopping sprees. But even if you like that, you can take a boat from Camogli to Portofino and shop until you're broke. (Only takes 5 minutes in Portofino, home of Valentino.)
The weather on the Ligurian coast is often much nicer than in the Amalfi because of its protected position (high mountains at its back). I would think late May would be as good a bet as Ischia.
I won't try to talk anybody out of trying Neopolitan cooking, but I will say that the food (and fococcia) in Liguria -- and especially in Camogli -- is simply fantastic, most especially if you like seafood. The waters around the Portofino peninsula are nationally protected because of their purity, and Camogli is a true working fishing harber. I have sat on the terrace of my hotel and watched my lunch arrive below, having just been hauled from the sea.
There are some lovely things to see and do in Genova, plus a lot of shopping. There are other towns on the Ligurian coast with variations in character, that you can easily reach by train. The first time I went to Camogli I had a list of possible day trips. Every morning I got up and decided it was just so nice in Camogli, I preferred the relaxation.
I infinitely prefer Camogli to the Amafli simply because it is one of the few Italian seaside towns left that isn't overrun with tacky tourist shops catering to Americans on shopping sprees. But even if you like that, you can take a boat from Camogli to Portofino and shop until you're broke. (Only takes 5 minutes in Portofino, home of Valentino.)
The weather on the Ligurian coast is often much nicer than in the Amalfi because of its protected position (high mountains at its back). I would think late May would be as good a bet as Ischia.
I won't try to talk anybody out of trying Neopolitan cooking, but I will say that the food (and fococcia) in Liguria -- and especially in Camogli -- is simply fantastic, most especially if you like seafood. The waters around the Portofino peninsula are nationally protected because of their purity, and Camogli is a true working fishing harber. I have sat on the terrace of my hotel and watched my lunch arrive below, having just been hauled from the sea.
There are some lovely things to see and do in Genova, plus a lot of shopping. There are other towns on the Ligurian coast with variations in character, that you can easily reach by train. The first time I went to Camogli I had a list of possible day trips. Every morning I got up and decided it was just so nice in Camogli, I preferred the relaxation.
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:34 AM
#39
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nice photos, michelle! I especially enjoyed the ones of Sorrento.
Did you like Neopolitan pizza? I'm a big fan of Roman pizza, so I found pizza a Napoli almost strange, it was so different, more like a lasagna or a pasta with its very soft, wet crust.
(JES, while I'm not such a fan of the Amalfi, I am a fan of Napoli, but it is urban up the yazooo, so you'd need some island or coast time to recover from the stress of making this decision!)
Did you like Neopolitan pizza? I'm a big fan of Roman pizza, so I found pizza a Napoli almost strange, it was so different, more like a lasagna or a pasta with its very soft, wet crust.
(JES, while I'm not such a fan of the Amalfi, I am a fan of Napoli, but it is urban up the yazooo, so you'd need some island or coast time to recover from the stress of making this decision!)
Apr 6th, 2006, 07:44 AM
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JES, well, I know what I'd do if I were you (which is all any of us can say, isn't it ?). I'd grab the seats to Barcelona while they are still going. (It's only a few weeks off !) Then read a good guidebook to Spain & work out what places I'd like to go which are easily reachable by train or hire car. You may even feel up to a day or two in Barcelona itself (which I also like), if you are then heading off for quieter places. And of course you could always re-post here asking specifically for more suggestions for places reachable from Barcelona.
