I'm taking 2 of my grandaughters for their first to Italy in April. While in Rome I wanted to take them to the Amalfi coast. Last year we did Amalfi from Sorrento by bus including a boat excursion for about 30 Euros each, a great deal.
Anyone know of anything from Rome?
We are also doing Venice, mabye Florence, Roseto degli Abruzzi, my father's home town, and Rome.

Thanks, Mike C.

There is a recent post called "Care to join us?" in which someone is looking for others to join them on a day trip to the Amalfi Coast booked through Romelimo.com (or maybe .org) Most of us are saying it sounds like the wrong way to visit the Amalfi Coast. I think you and your granddaughters would enjoy a leisurely overnight trip much more. Rome is much further than Sorrento to the A.C.

What you propose is too much time in a car if you ask me. Not enough time to relax and soak in the atmosphere.

Meant to say that this can easily be done by train on your own. No need to book through any travel agency.

We have discussed a tour in a 5-seat van in the "Care to join us?" thread mentioned by Cimbrone. The general opinion seemed to be: oh no, never. On a tour bus, which cannot travel as fast as a small van, this is even worse. The mere imagination of going on such a tour makes my toenails curl.

Travelling the Amalfi road in a tour bus is not exactly a pleasure. Don't forget to bring the strongest pills against travel sickness you can get hold of. Seriously.
Anyway, you'll spend most of the day stuck in the bus on crowded highways. Don't underestimate the distance from Rome and the Italian traffic. The bus company will show you a schedule which presumes that the roads are clear. Which they never are. One easily loses an hour or two because of traffic jams, and that will shorten the already short visits to places even more.

Hi Mike,

I suggest that you train to Salerno (see www.trenitalia.com), take the ferry to either Amalfi or Positano (see http://tinyurl.com/j4ufa) and then the SITA bus to Sorrento.

This will allow you to see the AC by water and land.

From Sorrento take the Circumvesuviana train to Naples (SITA bus stops at the Sorrento train station) and then back to Rome.

If the GDs are under 12, you can get reduced family fares on the Trenitalia trains.

Hi Mike - I'd second Ira's suggestion of train to Salerno, returning from Sorrento (- or vice versa).

The ferries between Salerno and Positano will be on a reduced schedule - but it's still a nice way to go.

You can get an up to date timetable in Rome the day before.

Steve

We're going from Sicily to Naples (ferry or flight, haven't decided yet) at the end of April for 4 days and want to visit positano, pompeii and maybe Naples or Sorrento. We were thinking maybe 2 nights in Positano and 2 in Naples or Sorrento, or all 4 in Sorrento, with day trips. I like the idea of staying over in Positano. Any suggestions on how to do it without too much hassle and backtracking? After 4 days we're heading to Rome. Thanks, Heidi

Heidi-
Here's what I would do. You can arrange for a driver (through your hotel) to meet you at the train station and then take you to Pompeii. You spend from 2-3 hours touring there. He can wait around for you and then take you to your hotel in either Sorrento or Positano. That's what we did. It was worth the $$ and we saved much train time. I definitely would not split up the trip on the coast. We stayed in Positano and it is easy to take the public buses that stop in different villages.

Cinart - thanks for the suggestion. So, are you suggesting that the day we arrive in the area we go directly to Pompeii with a driver in the morning, leave our luggage in the car and check into the hotel afterwards? And you would spend all 4 nights in Positano or Sorrento? Which town do you prefer as a base? I like the idea of not wasting time relocating. This is very helpful, thank you.

Yes, that's what we did. Your hotel concierge can arrange for that. We also paid extra $$ for a tour guide in Pompeii. I have close friends who are fluent in Italian and expert map readers and they got lost on the audio guides alone.
I liked Positano as a base because from there you can easily access other towns. It is easy to get to Ravello, Amalfi, Praiano,etc. But some may prefer Sorrento--because of the many ferry or hydrofoil options and central location. Do some research on your own--I'm sure there is no right or wrong choice. What time of year are you going?

We will be arriving April 26 and leaving for Rome April 30 (4 nights).

Heidi,
My trip report will give you some ideas. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34811101

Henry

Hi Heidi - Be aware, of course, that you will be paying the driver € 100-150 for hanging around while you visit Pompeii.

A much more economical way would be to train to Pompeii and use the free luggage store there.

You can continue to Sorrento or Positano cheaply by public transport. Alternatively a taxi to Positano should cost about € 70.

Steve

Thank you all VERY MUCH. Your suggestions have been extremely helpful.