Trying to decide between the 2. Family will be traveling (2009) with 2 college age boys - trying to find the best place for the boys as well as educate them to the culture of Italy. Suggestions for either one? Thanks

For your prescription no doubt the Amalfi Coast - Sorrento area - Pompeii, Capri, naples, Paestum and Mt Vesuvius - kids may enjoy the climb, etc. wins hands down over the peas in a pod 5 Terre villages which may be full of foreign tourists so not all that Italian for culture

Very little to do in 5 Terre but tons to do in Amalfi/Sorrento area IMO

I agree with PalenQ.

Be sure to spend at least one night on the Isle of Capri...

This is one of the most frequent questions here on this forum.

Here is a previous thread on the topic (with my answer):

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35128484

Hi Joe - I agree with Pal and TuckH. The Amalfi Coast wins hands down

Have a look:

http://tinyurl.com/3coedn
http://tinyurl.com/yo582h
http://tinyurl.com/5dqvbc

Steve

Hi Joe
I have to disagree...CT is just beautiful and walking between the towns the views amazing, much less touristy than the Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi Coast has it's charms but I rather like the more rugged terrain of CT and the tourist numbers seem way less than Amalfi too.
What ever you choose it's all beautiful and lovely and Italian!!
Rosie

I actually think your young men would enjoy Cinque Terre better (Amalfi is a popular 40th anniversary and honeymooners spot; Cinque Terre international trekkers). Also, while the proximity of Pompeii makes Amalfi a premiere destination for education, the nearest city of Napoli makes it a problematic destination for greater exposure to Italy and the range of Italian culture.

Will you have a car? I would suggest basing in Levanto or Lerici (near Cinque Terre, and making day trips to towns like Lucca, Pisa and doing at least one overnight, and probably two, in Firenze. You can take the train or boat to Cinque Terre for hikes, but there are better beaches in the towns I've mentioned.

You didn't ask, but unless your guys are firmly in the anti-urban camp and want hiking and nature, my bet is that they would enjoy Roma most of all, perhaps combined with an island if you are going in high heat.

With a name like Joe Salcetti, I have to ask: Where is the family from? Do you know?

And PS: What are your college-aged kids interested in? Do they want a vacation or do they want a lot of exposure to history and art on this trip, or getting to know something of contemporary Italy?

Thanks all for the input - looks like Amalfi. Zeppole - grandparents are from the northern Italy area - near Turin. I am struggling with how to approach this part of the trip. One son is interested in the history and culture, the other is interested in the nightlife and Italian women. Trying to find a place where both will enjoy themselves, learn about the culture and history with the hope that we all have fun. Thanks.

Well, for the son who is interested in nightlife and Italian women, something other than towns packed with married tourists is in order! (Torino would be great; Roma better; Milano and Genova, swell.)

For the son interested in Italian "history and culture," just about anywhere in Italy will fit the ticket, provided he gets beyond the towns that are now totally in the service of foreign tourists. But if he likes antiquities, Pompeii and Paestum, greek-y though they be, will be thrilling. And a trip south of Paestum, into Salerno or Castellabate di Santa Maria would be a real eye-opener, and much more "autentically" Italian.

If you are planning to go to Torino, do realize that the Italian Riviera (which includes Le Cinque Terre) is very close at hand.

I've sometimes said to Americans who've asked me to advise them about whether they'd like the Amalfi Coast or Le Cinque Terre better, it's a bit like asking if one prefers Miami to the Keys, or the yachty areas of Maine as opposed to the national parks of Maine.

It's not entirely apt, because so many couples find the Amalfi views uniquely romantic. They're not only tourist resorts. But it does offer some comparison about how developed tourism is across one set of hills, and the fairly undeveloped hinterland of that stretch of Ligurian cliffs.

I really think that most college age boys would like Cinque Terre more because of the hiking and relaxing atmosphere. At least that is what my friends preferred at that age. Amalfi Coast is fine, but more of a honeymoon spot or a place for mature adults imo. We really like the CT much better!

Regardless have a fun trip!

Sally