we are planning to visit the amalfi coast for 10 days over christmas break (from the u.s.).....6 nights in positano and the other nights somewhere else (open to recommendations). should we plan to be in positano over christmas or in another town on the coast .....i.e. is there one that is particularly charming/festive on christmas eve/christmas day? thanks!

Not sure about the reason for your choice but IMHO a beach resort out of season (when many hotels and restaurants are closed and the ferries don;t run if the seas are rough) s not my idea of an ideal vacation. It may be sunny but is just as likely to be rainy and chilly - and the area is very hilly - meaning there are no long beaches to meander, just small pebbly ones in the towns, - even if you don;t mind the weather. At that time I would definitely do a city trip versus a half-closed resort.

That said, if you want to see the area (Pompeii, Naples Archo Museum etc) I wold stay in Sorrento instead - since it;s a larger town not SO dedicated to tourism - so there are likely to be fewer places closed for the year.

thanks for your reply - appreciated your feedback. really good point about the beaches......will keep that in mind. we are headed in from sunny/ beachy southern california and were looking to be somewhere in italy by the water but more quaint/low-key......where we could explore (day trips to amalfi, capri,etc). we are flying in and out of rome and have 3 days there on the way out.....so will get some city in our systems. but, going back to our time on the amalfi coast, it is totally flexible. would you suggest us going somewhere else in italy for a few days....we did consider ischia, sardinia and sicily but didn't know if either of those places would be feasible to see/relax over a 3-4 day period....any thoughts?

Nowhere in Italy (with the possible exception of ski resorts in the Dolomites) is particularly charming/festive on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Almost all Italians celebrate Christmas at home, the main meal generally being Christmas Eve dinner. The restaurants open on Christmas Eve most often offer a special multi-course meal called a "cenone"; very few restaurants are open at all on Christmas Day.

I don't think I'm quite understanding what you're looking for. If it's sunny warm beaches, it's very doubtfull you will get them in Amalfi. Ischia and Capri are very chilly at that time. Vesuvius has had snow on it in October.

If you're looking for festive Christmas like a previous poster mentioned, Italy doesn't celebrate holidays like in the US. It's much more low key.

Again, I repeat from a previous poster....it is much easier accessing Pompeii, etc from Sorrento. The aliscafi are more limited in Positano in the winter. There is a train in Sorrento and the aliscafi.

I know in Ischia for the week between Christmas and New Years some shops do open. Not many restaurants, though.

It's a tough time of the year to be in beach areas in Italy.

There is no place in europe that has beach weather in winter - it's a temperate climate - and you may get temps that reach 60 - or it could be 40s and rain. And most beaches in Italy are small, in town centers and pebbles or stones - not sand.

We go to that area in mid/late May and it's just coming into time for pools and beaches.

If you want warm weather in Dec - go to Hawaii, the Carib or Asia.

Cities re best in Italy in winter - since even the countryside tends to be gray and dreary many days.

Hi While the posts to your question so far have talked about the ngatives from weather to accommodation let me suggest the folowing.

The Amalfi Coast is a living christmas card during Christmas. The big towns such as Sorrento and Amalfi are full of activity and festive mood. (lights, decorations, concerts, processions and festivals to please all tastes. Speaking of tastes, lots of festive food also!

Since your talking of (3) days I would suggest staying in Positano for the true beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Big hotels are closed. However the charm of the many B&B's and Pensione are available to you. Day trips to Sorrento are only 30 minutes away by SITA bus. (€3.00). Here Christmas is really in full swing. Positano and the coastal towns are much quiter , but this at this time of year simply adds to their charm.

Weather is a risk wherever you go. The Amalfi Coast in particular is in a micro climate. The "dreary" weather often never disturbs sunshine filled winter days.

I think you need a little perspective on this area. None of the towns are large. Amalfi and Positano are little more than villages -and much is closed from November 1 though Easter. Sorrento is a larger town - but still not very big.

I suppose it all depends on your perspective. to someone who lives in a city - all are quite small and - out of season - there is little to do (versus the massive celebrations you get in the US at this time of year it is very quiet and family oriented).

We were in Amalfi and Sorrento after New Years this year, and it was great. We had beautiful weather and we hiked from Ravello down to Amalfi, spent a day on Capri, visited Pompeii, Herculaneum and Oplontis, and spent the one rainy day in Naples at the archeological museum. I will say, however, that Sorrento shut down after January 6. Really shut down. If you are there before that, you'll have a great trip.

January 6th is "Little Christmas" which many Italians celebrate more than regular Christmas. I know in my family in Italy that's the way it is.

Basically you can get great weather or you can get horrible weather. It's a toss up. But the chance of bad weather is greater than in the spring, summer and fall.

thank you everyone for your feedback (esp. hamptons, nytraveler, artsbabe and ann)! well, our trip is booked.....we will be spending 6 days and 5 nights in positano (3rd week of dec) with the intent of taking day trips to other towns/exploring whenever we want to. i am heading to italy with one of my best friends.....we are both single career women from socal with very busy lives.....we cannot wait to be on the plane just to get away from it all and just get some rest; mental, spiritual, emotional,etc! not to forget, we are excited to be somewhere beautiful. side note: i have been to the amalfi coast before...spent a year in florence my junior year in college. remember positano vividly and have been really looking forward to this opportunity to go back. we have booked ourselves in to a hotel that has a great view, breakfast on the patio AND a pool. as much as we are excited to explore and make trips to other towns.....we cannot wait to just chill: read, journal, gaze out in to the ocean blue and just breathe in the air.....even if it's chilly! ann: the hike from ravello to amalfi sounds amazing. GREAT suggestion. also, hadn't considered stopping in sorrento to enjoy the festivities but will definitely do so! again, soooooooo appreciate everyone's feedback!

side note: after the amalfi coast, we head to rome for 3 days starting dec 24th. fyi: we are doing christmas eve mass at the vatican,etc) but after rome we have 3 days to spend 'somewhere'. we have kinda left this open intentionally....just to see what we feel like doing closer to the time we leave the u.s. ...more beach or more city? any feedback on: (i) sardinia (ii) florence or (iii) sicily.....we are supposed to fly out from rome early in the a.m. on dec 31st.......thoughts?

again, thank you MUCH!

Ciao Bella - Florence is only 90 mins from Rome - so would be a convenient option. With only 3 days before your return flight I'd exclude Sicily/ Sardinia.

Steve