Bob is back from the AC--with pics to prove it.
 

I will try to do a brief trip report later, but for now let me tell you my overall impressions:
1. Four days in Naples is two too many
2. Good weather makes all the difference
3. Ravello is still my favorite AC destination
4. A private driver is a VERY good idea
5. Transportation options on that coast are complex and will vary based on your budget, legs, and desired destinations. There is no right answer--it all depends.

Here are some pics--hope you enjoy.

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481

I'm about to post about my trip too! I definitely agree about Ravello, but not about Naples.

Alice

Wonderful photos, Bob. Your photography skills get better every year!

Alice and Bob, I await both of your comments on Naples. We're thinking of spending a week in Naples in September so I need to know whether 4 nights are two too many or two too few.

Marija, we were there 3 nights, so really only 2 1/2 days to do things. There were areas of Naples we wanted to visit but didn't have time to get to. I don't know about a whole week, but I could have easily added a night or two.

Besides how can you eat enough of that pizza in only 2 days?

Alice

It's been about 10 years since we last visited the AC. Your pics help me remember why we thought it is a slice of paradise.

Stu Dudley

Marija: I think that a week in Napes would suit you just fine, especially if you plan to do daytrips. Without day trips, and with apologies to the OP, I would counsel a minimum of four days for people who have an interest in more than a superficial peek into the city's art/architectural riches and the vibrant street life. For people not use to cities, especially port cities and southern Italian port cities in particular, Naples can be overwhelming and I think that is why some visitors take a brief look and then scurry away to "safety"...

Looking forward to the trip report and hotel reviews.

Welcome back, Bob.
Can't wait to hear more!!!

Bob,
Thanks for the pictures!
I can see myself buying one of those dresses in Positano!

Marija,

Bob once wrote an entire essay about how to visit Europe without going to any cities at all. I don't think I'm being unfair to Bob to say he really hates being in cities.

When I saw it on his itinerary before he left I thought: "This guy could use a trip planner to help him tailor a trip to his interests!"

But it's a new Bob who now tells us "There are no right answers." I look forward to hearing more about that.

People told me to see Naples and I did. After 16 trips to Italy I would have been remiss not to. I am glad I went and now understand what Naples is all about. My wife liked it better than I---it was the chaos that turned me off.

Looking forward to more details. Loved the photos too.

ms_go, DD and I recommended Naples primarily because we knew Mrs. Nav (my mom) would love being surrounded by so much history at every turn. But yeah, I kinda figured 4 nights there would probably be a bit much for Granpa Bob.

Glad to have you back. And I'm really happy y'all had such nice weather!

Lovely pics as usual.

We liked Naples, but I can understand why some are not charmed. IMO you have to visit some places to know what you think about them. To each his/her own.

Great pictures. Brought back terrific memories of my Amalfi Coast trip last year...loved Ravello too! :-)

As always, great photos, Bob! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your trip report.

PS, I'm one of those 'loves Naples' sorts, but I can certainly understand that the chaos turns people off.

bmarking

Gorgeous photos!!! Going to Paris next week, but still longing for Italy. I agree with you about Ravello!!! I wish Gore Vidal had left me his palazzo instead of selling it to a local. I could spend hours on the Balcony of Infinity. If there is ever a more beautiful vista, I have yet to see it. The Amalfi Coast is truly enchanted. I can see why they call it the Divine Coast. (Maybe next year....)

Great photos!! Thanks for sharing.

Can I assume you are taken with Ravello and Positano?

Can't wait for Tuscany in a couple of weeks.

Wonderful photos!!! Thanks for sharing!

I am curious about the "chaos" you found in Naples. Was there something specific that you witnessed or do you mean just the general atmosphere of the city? I can see that it could be overwhelming for some, especially less experienced travelers or travelers used to more placid locales. But do you really think you could get an idea of what Naples "is all about" in two days? What did you do in the two days you were there?

I was there for 4 days and we saw most of the major sights and stayed near Piazza Bellini and walked all of Scaccanapoli more than once. I hated the noise and overall chaotic ambiance. We loved the Archeological museum, the Duomo, the Palazzo Reale, The Capella San Severo and much more. We also loved Palermo on an earlier trip. Naples just did not click for me. We did like the hotel.

I agree that the central historic core might feel overwhelming. But there is a lot more to Naples than that area...where did you stay?

Here, 50 meters from Piazza Bellini, which we liked very much.
http://www.costantinopoli104.com/

Great pictures!!!Brings back happy memories of our trip. Looking forward to your report.

Thanks, Bob. I had a brief tour of that hotel and it appeared to be very nice, if a tad pricey.

I think that people squeamish about visiting Naples would be better off staying in another area of the city, for example, Chiaia, which I found better located for restaurants but still within a walk of the historic center.

LOL, bob, we spent a day in Naples about 35 years ago, and have never felt the need to return.

I don't think that it is just non-italians who find the place daunting - I had an italian teacher [from milan] who told a story about sitting at traffic lights when he was scared witless when the driver of the car next to him got out and approached him. He was absolutely positive that he was about to be robbed, but instead the man said that he could tell my teacher was lost, and would he like to follow him to his destination!

i loved the rest of the area though - why haven't we been back?

bob - great photos, I'll have to work hard to top those. I was having a hard enough time waiting the 32 days till I leave for Sorrento this made it even worse! So please do a trip report, I'd love some details. Do you you think a day trip to Naples would be enough? Did you go to Pompeii?

Hello Isabel, Mille grazie---from you that has meaning.
We did not see Pompeii this trip--had done that before. Ravello and Positano will be your favorite photo ops.In Ravello, pay to go inside the Villa Rufolo grounds to get the coastal shots and some great gardens---same for Villa Cimbrone, but you knew that. The classic shot at Atrani is covered with scaffloding---big bummer. Consider a smaller private boat trip between Positano and Amalfi for shots from the water, but only if it is not hazy.
I am not sure what you can see in one day in Naples, but the inside shots at the Archeological Museum are amazing. I did not include them in the 48 shots I published but email me if you want to see more. Good luck in Italy.

Gawdgeous, bob! Can't wait to see your TR.

Thanks, Mr. Navigator! The Villa Rufolo has now moved to the top of my Italy list. I was trying to decide between Cinque Terre and the AC, but your pics just tipped the scales.

Your pictures are fabulous, and have brought back great memories of our trip to Naples and the Amalfi Coast last May/June. We also stayed in Praiano, and still have memories of fighting to get on the bus at Amalfi to get back in the afternoon, especially when it was raining! We, too, loved Ravello and one regret is that we didn't get to see a concert there. One of our best memories of the trip was our day out on the boat with Salvatore -- being picked up in the boat on the pier at Praiano, fabulous weather, diving off the boat to swim, and probably our best meal of the entire trip for lunch at the beach restaurant where the owner came out on his boat to pick up the fish Salvatore had caught that morning for our lunch! We enjoyed Naples, especially the pizza, the archeological museum and our tour of the opera house.

Thank you for sharing!

Bob - these pictures are wonderful! Your photography is superb! You are motivating me to get ready to snap away with me new DLSR.

Sorry to hijack your posting, but I wanted to ask you a question since you are a Luzern and Lake Como expert. For Luzern - have you been to Chateau Gutsch in the last two years? It is that castle high up in the hill overlooking all of Luzern. I am debating whether that sight is worth it for our trip there. The lunch I hear is very expensive and I want to know if it is worth it. In the last two years, they have new owners and have renovated it.

Also, my friend showed me pictures of Lake Como and there was one picture that looked fake it was so beautiful! It was Richard Branson's villa with all those tall ferns. I looked it up and realized that his villa is in Lenno. I don't have to go to Lenno but I just want to take pictures of the villa. I assume that I can just go to the ferry dock in Bellagio and tell them I want a ferry to Lenno, correct? I am already taking the long ferry to Como for the scenary - will I pass the villa on that route? Thanks so much Bob!

Your pictures are so beautiful, Bob, as is your very lovely wife!

And the flowers, I always think the flowers in Italy are over the top gorgeous.

Naples is either enjoyed or not. I love Naples but I know those that hate it. The same with Milan, Florence and even Rome. As a dear late friend who had travelled the world and who was an Episcopalian priest often said "thank goodness we all don't like the same place or it would be very over crowded.". So true! Your hotel in Naples did look serene and wonderful.

I look forward to your trip report when you have time to post it. In the meantime thank you for sharing your special pictures, they brought back beautiful memories.

Bob, this has made me cry. I spent 4 days on Capri in early fall of '06, and never got to Positano or Ravello or any of those AC towns. I didn't know it at the time, but I was utterly exhausted and it was due to cancer. I'm not sure I'm ever going to be able to get back because I lost my job (it was "eliminated") a few months ago. So your wonderful photos meant the world to me.

Grazie tantissimo,
BC

What beautiful pictures. We can't stay away from that area. I'm interested in your report of Naples. After going to the Amalfi coast seven times in the last seven years, and either arriving or departing from the Naples airport, we have never been to Naples.

BC, I am delighted if my pics brought you some joy.
And, what do you mean " eliminated"---YOU ARE THE BOOKCHICK.
Keep your chin up---it will all get better.

Jill, The ferry makes a normal stop in Lenno,but I am not sure which Villa is Bransons. Surely not the famous Villa Balbianello that you have seen in James Bond movies and the classic movie " A month by the Lake". You can see some shots from there in this photo gallery.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4442
It is a good hike from Lenno, but there is a private boat service from the docks in Bellagio that is much easier.

Bob,

Your pictures are amazing..as usual. We are celebrating our parents 50th wedding anniversary next year and want to rent a villa on the AC...need 8 bedrooms..very hard to find on AC..any suggestions?? Thank you!