Best way to get from Naples to Ravello?
Apr 6th, 2006, 08:00 AM
#41
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I think I'm going to try one more time for Italy--Naples or Genoa (for flights) and then make my decision that way. I really appreciate all of the great advice and help.
Mauld-that is GREAT! Have fun in Nice--South of France is at the top of my list. I was bummed this hotel deal didn't cover that area.
Mauld-that is GREAT! Have fun in Nice--South of France is at the top of my list. I was bummed this hotel deal didn't cover that area.
Apr 6th, 2006, 08:43 AM
#42
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JES, what city are you flying out of? For getting to NAP, you can go easily via LGW, MUC, CDG, MXP, FCO, NAP, MAD etc. So if you can manage a good flight to one of those cities from the US, it could be one connection to NAP. Otherwise, you could always go to FCO and take the train from Rome.
Apr 6th, 2006, 08:53 AM
#44
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Were leaving out of NY. It will be ff miles so it's whatever is available for those seats--hence the problem with layovers, avail, etc.
As of last night, I could get into Rome, but not out of.
Ness, I meant to thank you for your advice on Camigli and Portifino. So good to know if I do that--not to stay at the Klum! You definitely did make the area sound more attractive. Let's see what's available!
I think I talked myself into Amalfi thinking I was going--envisioned myself there, got psyched, etc. so I will need to deprogram myself if I can't and just know that I'll have fun at any of them.
I just really wanted to take advantage of staying at a spectacular hotel in wonderful place which I wouldn't ordinarily treat myself to and the city hotels aren't as exciting as these other destinations.
As of last night, I could get into Rome, but not out of.
Ness, I meant to thank you for your advice on Camigli and Portifino. So good to know if I do that--not to stay at the Klum! You definitely did make the area sound more attractive. Let's see what's available!
I think I talked myself into Amalfi thinking I was going--envisioned myself there, got psyched, etc. so I will need to deprogram myself if I can't and just know that I'll have fun at any of them.
I just really wanted to take advantage of staying at a spectacular hotel in wonderful place which I wouldn't ordinarily treat myself to and the city hotels aren't as exciting as these other destinations.
Apr 6th, 2006, 09:02 AM
#45
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JES, I'd opt for Camogli. The hotel is great and close to the train station. From there, you can go to the Cinque Terre, Santa Margherita Ligure/Portofino, and Genoa. And points inland. There's also a beach.
Ah, spring on the Italian Riviera.
Ah, spring on the Italian Riviera.
Apr 6th, 2006, 09:07 AM
#46
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Have you seen pictures of Cenobi dei Doge?
http://www.secretplaces.com/sp/1/hotels/photos_4457.asp
I've not stayed there.
Here are people's snaps from Camogli:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/camogli/
http://www.secretplaces.com/sp/1/hotels/photos_4457.asp
I've not stayed there.
Here are people's snaps from Camogli:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/camogli/
Apr 6th, 2006, 10:24 AM
#47
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I like that visit france for a day trip idea. Do you know how long it takes? Or if a train would be easy to take if we don't want to rent a car?
Thanks for sending the photos--they really help give me a feel of it. How beautiful!
Thanks for sending the photos--they really help give me a feel of it. How beautiful!
Apr 6th, 2006, 10:53 AM
#48
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I think if I picked up a rental car in Genova in the morning, I could be in Eze before lunch, no problem. It's about 2 hours. After that, you could head to Nice and a bit beyond, or into the hills, and plan to have dinner in France, and be back in Camogli late at night. It would be an all-day affair, unless you were satisfied with a lunch in Eze or Menton (mmmm, moules on the beach!), a little local French exploration, and dinner in Cervo (in between the French border and Camogli). That gets you home earlier.
I've never done it by train and I think you might find it a very pokey train between Camogli and, say, Nice, with a switch in Genova (and possibly another in San Remo). It takes about 3 hours by train to get to San Remo, and I don't know what happens on the french side. A car is actually much faster. But you might play around with train schedules for various French-side places (Menton? Monaco?) and see what you come up with, starting in Genova.
Other possibilities for strictly train travel out of Genova include Pisa (2:30 mins away). So long as you don't each lunch right next to the leaning tower but find yourself a good restaurant elsewhere in the historic town, it's an interesting day trip.
Torino cuts close to the edge of what's doable as a day trip by train if you've a special interest in movies, cars or Egypt (fab museums for all 3 there).
But the combo and variety of Camogli and Genova, with an assortment of towns like Portofino, San Fruttuoso or Sesti Levante or the Cinque Terre tossed in, by boat and by train, might be more interesting than you imagine. I would say it's as least as interesting as any of the Amalfi towns -- although I honestly can't match Palazzo Sasso in Camogli and if you want a resort spa like what you saw in Ischia, I'm sure you can get it in Portofino, but I guess only as a day spa.
What was it about Ischia that appealed to you? The high quality hotel? I confess I've never been there, but I never thought there was a lot do there, either, and you're on an island, so day trips are out.
I've never done it by train and I think you might find it a very pokey train between Camogli and, say, Nice, with a switch in Genova (and possibly another in San Remo). It takes about 3 hours by train to get to San Remo, and I don't know what happens on the french side. A car is actually much faster. But you might play around with train schedules for various French-side places (Menton? Monaco?) and see what you come up with, starting in Genova.
Other possibilities for strictly train travel out of Genova include Pisa (2:30 mins away). So long as you don't each lunch right next to the leaning tower but find yourself a good restaurant elsewhere in the historic town, it's an interesting day trip.
Torino cuts close to the edge of what's doable as a day trip by train if you've a special interest in movies, cars or Egypt (fab museums for all 3 there).
But the combo and variety of Camogli and Genova, with an assortment of towns like Portofino, San Fruttuoso or Sesti Levante or the Cinque Terre tossed in, by boat and by train, might be more interesting than you imagine. I would say it's as least as interesting as any of the Amalfi towns -- although I honestly can't match Palazzo Sasso in Camogli and if you want a resort spa like what you saw in Ischia, I'm sure you can get it in Portofino, but I guess only as a day spa.
What was it about Ischia that appealed to you? The high quality hotel? I confess I've never been there, but I never thought there was a lot do there, either, and you're on an island, so day trips are out.
Apr 6th, 2006, 11:13 AM
#49
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Ok...you have me at moules on the beach!!
2 hrs isn't bad and maybe we could do an overnight or two. Is Eze the closest town to the border?
I guess I'll see if I can get the air tickets before I start asking for the details! Genoa would be the only logical way to go right?
I have to say, I typed Barcelona into the photo site you sent me and I hope I don't get lambasted by saying this, but Barcelona doesn't appeal to me--at least not from the photos. It looks like a huge city (which I wanted to get away from) with not a lot of charm besides a few beautiful buildings.
My hotel deal is only IN Barcelona so I'd kind of be stuck there most of the time even if I did day trips out.
Ischia appealed to me in that the hotel looks amazing and there's something special to me about being on an island--even with less to do. For some reason, I can camp out there and not feel like I was missing out on anything.
Plus, they have the thermal baths and I read there is hot thermal with the cold ocean mixing together--which sounds amazing. Plus, I have hip, knee & shoulder problems that would love that!
I have never been to Ischia which was another plus....
But I LOVED Capri and read that Ischia is not as charming as Capri so I hoped not to be disappointed knowing Capri is right next door (and I'm not on it).
2 hrs isn't bad and maybe we could do an overnight or two. Is Eze the closest town to the border?
I guess I'll see if I can get the air tickets before I start asking for the details! Genoa would be the only logical way to go right?
I have to say, I typed Barcelona into the photo site you sent me and I hope I don't get lambasted by saying this, but Barcelona doesn't appeal to me--at least not from the photos. It looks like a huge city (which I wanted to get away from) with not a lot of charm besides a few beautiful buildings.
My hotel deal is only IN Barcelona so I'd kind of be stuck there most of the time even if I did day trips out.
Ischia appealed to me in that the hotel looks amazing and there's something special to me about being on an island--even with less to do. For some reason, I can camp out there and not feel like I was missing out on anything.
Plus, they have the thermal baths and I read there is hot thermal with the cold ocean mixing together--which sounds amazing. Plus, I have hip, knee & shoulder problems that would love that!
I have never been to Ischia which was another plus....
But I LOVED Capri and read that Ischia is not as charming as Capri so I hoped not to be disappointed knowing Capri is right next door (and I'm not on it).
Apr 6th, 2006, 01:00 PM
#50
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Eze is not the closest town to the border. Menton is, which many people like (famous for its lemons) and others feel is too developed and bit bourgeous. (Eze is a quaint town.)
If you want to spend two or 3 days on the coast of France as part of your Camogli trip, consider flying into Nice and picking a smaller town toward Italy to stay in. Have your Cote d'Azur time and then take a train to Camogli. It will be a long train ride but you can relax in Camogli. Fly out of Genova or Pisa.
Eze is not the closest town to the Italian/French border. It's just the most well preserved, and quaint on the coast. Menton is the closest to Italy, and many people like it for its food and sandy beaches. Others turn their nose up at it for its middle class feel. (You're close to Monaco, remember.)
Do you have any hotel offers for France? You might consider those and consider taking a fast French train to the southern coast for all or part of your trip.
Barcelona is a sizeable city, a quite noisy and polluted. However, there are saltwater therapies available near the French/Spanish border and maybe closer to Barcelona. (Also, you should check out those possibilities in the town of Portofino and elsewhere near Camogli.)
I repeatedly stay in Camogli for days on end and not feel I'm missing out on anything. Portofino is hardly a "must-see." Santa Margherita Ligure is cute, but it seems to me like a poor man's Portofino with its mini-yacht harbor, and Camogli beats them both as far as I'm concerned. Genova has not got an internationally renowned art museum. Cinque Terre is CLOGGED with tourists. They only town I like to visit is Sestri Levante, which is just so down to earth, and I like to take boat rides.
I do enjoy forays into Genoa, but just for lunch and to see maybe one palazzo or bookstore or church before getting another snack. (The Genovese love snacks.) Then I go back before the cocktail hour to catch the sun set in Camogli (often from the terrace of the Cenobio al Doge, by the way. It has the best sunset views).
Maybe someday I'll go to the aquarium in Genova. I'm in no rush.
The only reason to go to Camogli is to enjoy the salt air, the pesto, the seafood, the absence of crowds, the pleasant town atmosphere, and boat rides and swims -- with the possibility of a trip to an interesting town that was once the powerhouse of Italy ("La Superba"
in case it rains.
But don't force yourself to go! That would really be a pity.
If you want to spend two or 3 days on the coast of France as part of your Camogli trip, consider flying into Nice and picking a smaller town toward Italy to stay in. Have your Cote d'Azur time and then take a train to Camogli. It will be a long train ride but you can relax in Camogli. Fly out of Genova or Pisa.
Eze is not the closest town to the Italian/French border. It's just the most well preserved, and quaint on the coast. Menton is the closest to Italy, and many people like it for its food and sandy beaches. Others turn their nose up at it for its middle class feel. (You're close to Monaco, remember.)
Do you have any hotel offers for France? You might consider those and consider taking a fast French train to the southern coast for all or part of your trip.
Barcelona is a sizeable city, a quite noisy and polluted. However, there are saltwater therapies available near the French/Spanish border and maybe closer to Barcelona. (Also, you should check out those possibilities in the town of Portofino and elsewhere near Camogli.)
I repeatedly stay in Camogli for days on end and not feel I'm missing out on anything. Portofino is hardly a "must-see." Santa Margherita Ligure is cute, but it seems to me like a poor man's Portofino with its mini-yacht harbor, and Camogli beats them both as far as I'm concerned. Genova has not got an internationally renowned art museum. Cinque Terre is CLOGGED with tourists. They only town I like to visit is Sestri Levante, which is just so down to earth, and I like to take boat rides.
I do enjoy forays into Genoa, but just for lunch and to see maybe one palazzo or bookstore or church before getting another snack. (The Genovese love snacks.) Then I go back before the cocktail hour to catch the sun set in Camogli (often from the terrace of the Cenobio al Doge, by the way. It has the best sunset views).
Maybe someday I'll go to the aquarium in Genova. I'm in no rush.
The only reason to go to Camogli is to enjoy the salt air, the pesto, the seafood, the absence of crowds, the pleasant town atmosphere, and boat rides and swims -- with the possibility of a trip to an interesting town that was once the powerhouse of Italy ("La Superba"
in case it rains.But don't force yourself to go! That would really be a pity.
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:25 PM
#51
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We don't have a hotel deal in the South of France...only in Paris. If we did, that would have been my first choice b/c it has been on my list for ages.
I like the idea of doing both Rivieras. I love being in one country for part of the week and another for the latter--different, language, foods, culture.
How far would you say Nice is from Genoa?
I like the idea of doing both Rivieras. I love being in one country for part of the week and another for the latter--different, language, foods, culture.
How far would you say Nice is from Genoa?
Apr 6th, 2006, 06:58 PM
#52
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Nice is approx 175 kilometers.
It's possible that if you spend a lot of time in Camogli you will be up for the sunny city of Nice, but there are no doubt Cote d'Azur mavens on Fodor's who could steer you to a smaller beach town with less bustle and lower hotel bills. And maybe some salt water therapy!
One thing you cannot do without it costing you a fortune: You cannot rent a car in Nice and drop it off in Genova. You could drop off on the French side of the French border and take a train in Italy (from Ventimiglia) to Genova. But it's a marginal advantage. You might as well catch the train in France and poke along the Italian coast by train.
There are special deals on French trains that the Fodor's French experts can tell you abuot that might enable you to get an extremely cheap ticket for a fast train from Paris (including CDG airport) to Marseilles/Nice. So your possible airports include Paris.
If you can, I think it would be ideal to start your trip in Nice and end it Italy, given what you've described. From Camogli, Genova can be reached for an early morning flight. For an afternoon flight, plausibe airports for departure would be Genova, Pisa (3 hours away from Camogli by train), Torino (4 hours) and Milano (4 hours).
Don't forget to send me a postcard. ;-)
It's possible that if you spend a lot of time in Camogli you will be up for the sunny city of Nice, but there are no doubt Cote d'Azur mavens on Fodor's who could steer you to a smaller beach town with less bustle and lower hotel bills. And maybe some salt water therapy!
One thing you cannot do without it costing you a fortune: You cannot rent a car in Nice and drop it off in Genova. You could drop off on the French side of the French border and take a train in Italy (from Ventimiglia) to Genova. But it's a marginal advantage. You might as well catch the train in France and poke along the Italian coast by train.
There are special deals on French trains that the Fodor's French experts can tell you abuot that might enable you to get an extremely cheap ticket for a fast train from Paris (including CDG airport) to Marseilles/Nice. So your possible airports include Paris.
If you can, I think it would be ideal to start your trip in Nice and end it Italy, given what you've described. From Camogli, Genova can be reached for an early morning flight. For an afternoon flight, plausibe airports for departure would be Genova, Pisa (3 hours away from Camogli by train), Torino (4 hours) and Milano (4 hours).
Don't forget to send me a postcard. ;-)
Apr 6th, 2006, 07:31 PM
#53
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Ok, I have tix on hold:
NY-Paris-Genoa and back May 4-15th and
another on hold (diff airline)
for NY- Zurich-Nice and back May 11=23rd
They also had NY_London-Naples the week of the 11th
Now I'm trying to figure out weather, hotel and convenience-wise what to do and I'm too tired to think!
It's very hard getting the hotel availability through my work program while figuring out flights, etc.
Ness--you have been invaulable and I can't thank you enough for all of your great advice so far!
NY-Paris-Genoa and back May 4-15th and
another on hold (diff airline)
for NY- Zurich-Nice and back May 11=23rd
They also had NY_London-Naples the week of the 11th
Now I'm trying to figure out weather, hotel and convenience-wise what to do and I'm too tired to think!
It's very hard getting the hotel availability through my work program while figuring out flights, etc.
Ness--you have been invaulable and I can't thank you enough for all of your great advice so far!
Apr 7th, 2006, 04:12 AM
#54
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In deciding between the Riviera options, it sounds to me that if you are trying to avoid renting a car, flying in and out of Nice means you'll be spacing your travel time and train trips along the Riviera in a comfortable way. You'll arrive on the French Riviera, immediately take some relaxtion time there, and then have one longish train trip to Italy. Then you'll spend more days there before returning by train to Nice the night before your flight.
Without a car, the Genoa option means taking the long trip as something of a round-trip within a 48 hour period.
If you are willing to rent a car, the Genova tix sound best, because you can make it to Camogli without a car from the Genoa airport, and rent the car later in the week for your day trip. I would suggest that you rent the car 3 days before your departure and keep it until you leave, dropping it off at the airport. You can have fun with it taking other day trips in the are.
It wasn't clear to me from your post if you also put a hold on a Naples option. If without the Palazzo Sasso you still like the idea of Ischia plus Naples/Sorrento or a bit of the Amalfi, might as well keep it in the mix.
Without a car, the Genoa option means taking the long trip as something of a round-trip within a 48 hour period.
If you are willing to rent a car, the Genova tix sound best, because you can make it to Camogli without a car from the Genoa airport, and rent the car later in the week for your day trip. I would suggest that you rent the car 3 days before your departure and keep it until you leave, dropping it off at the airport. You can have fun with it taking other day trips in the are.
It wasn't clear to me from your post if you also put a hold on a Naples option. If without the Palazzo Sasso you still like the idea of Ischia plus Naples/Sorrento or a bit of the Amalfi, might as well keep it in the mix.
Apr 7th, 2006, 07:26 AM
#55
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All good thoughts. Weatherwise, I am able to get to the different areas at different times in May. Would you agree the later the better in all locations? I'm wondering if that should dictate my choice. I'd love to be able to use the beach/pool/swim....
Apr 7th, 2006, 08:08 AM
#56
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Yes, the later the better for all locations when it comes to weather. As you know, the risk of rain only diminishes, it doesn't entirely disappear in either plane, although I think it is less a kill-joy outside of the Amalfi coast. On the Amalfi coast (although I don't know about Ischia), rainy weather obliterates the views that are the entire reason for being there, and stormy weather cancels ferries (and with them, day trips to the city if you are on an island).
That said, with a starting time of May 11, I probably wouldn't let the possibility of a few days of rain dictate my choice for either location. If I very much wanted Ischia and the Amalfi, I'd take the risk because the risk of rain is low. Only you know whether, after all this effort, being unluckily rained out Ischia would just be such a bummer to you when you might have just as happily gone to France and Italy -- where, even if it's raining, you can get yourself to someplace that's interesting to look at despite the weather. It's not just about the views in that area.
As for swimming, in pools or the Mediterranean, why not start another thread specifically asking about that for both Cote'd Azur and Amalfi? I've never been in either area in May, so I don't know when the swimming season usually kicks in.
That said, with a starting time of May 11, I probably wouldn't let the possibility of a few days of rain dictate my choice for either location. If I very much wanted Ischia and the Amalfi, I'd take the risk because the risk of rain is low. Only you know whether, after all this effort, being unluckily rained out Ischia would just be such a bummer to you when you might have just as happily gone to France and Italy -- where, even if it's raining, you can get yourself to someplace that's interesting to look at despite the weather. It's not just about the views in that area.
As for swimming, in pools or the Mediterranean, why not start another thread specifically asking about that for both Cote'd Azur and Amalfi? I've never been in either area in May, so I don't know when the swimming season usually kicks in.
Apr 7th, 2006, 08:58 AM
#57
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Good idea...I did just that.
The route I like best is into Genoa, rent a car, etc. But that is the first week of May: 4-15. If I could switch it to the second week into the third I'd be all set--but the flights won't allow
Naples I can go the second week....
The route I like best is into Genoa, rent a car, etc. But that is the first week of May: 4-15. If I could switch it to the second week into the third I'd be all set--but the flights won't allow
Naples I can go the second week....
May 9th, 2006, 06:52 PM
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Hi,
I'm back and I haven't gone anywhere! My husband got too busy with work and I couldn't get a straight answer from work in regards to the hotel program in time to match my air holds so everything has been on hold.
In the meantime I lost my job and a friends friend offered us a place to stay in the South of France, so now we are looking to do that in the first-second week of June. (Better time to go and I have the time!).
So....sorry I have been out of touch, but a little depressed.....now I'm ready to go!
Can I get recommendations for Southern France...restaurants, bets places for moules on the beach, etc.?
Obviously, I'll post a seperate question but have had such great recommondations here, I figured I'd start here first!
I'm back and I haven't gone anywhere! My husband got too busy with work and I couldn't get a straight answer from work in regards to the hotel program in time to match my air holds so everything has been on hold.
In the meantime I lost my job and a friends friend offered us a place to stay in the South of France, so now we are looking to do that in the first-second week of June. (Better time to go and I have the time!).
So....sorry I have been out of touch, but a little depressed.....now I'm ready to go!
Can I get recommendations for Southern France...restaurants, bets places for moules on the beach, etc.?
Obviously, I'll post a seperate question but have had such great recommondations here, I figured I'd start here first!
