Comments on My First Trip to Italy? - Rome to Amalfi Coast
Feb 10th, 2004, 07:38 AM
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Comments on My First Trip to Italy? - Rome to Amalfi Coast
Hi! I'm very excited. . . taking my first trip to Italy for my honeymoon! Our dream come true!! We will leave Monday, May 24 (land in Rome am of Tuesday, May 25) and fly out of Rome on Wednesday, June 2. I have a skeleton itinerary put together that I would love to get your input on. . . .
First two nights in Rome. Take train from Rome to Naples and then the local train/bus (not sure what this is) to Pompeii to see the ruins; back to Naples to catch the ferry to Capri.
Two nights on Capri. Take the ferry from Capri to Sorrento and then take the bus from Sorrento to Positano (to see the coast along the bus ride).
Two nights in Positano. From Positano, take the ferry over to Amalfi to visit Amalfi and Ravello as a day trip.
Bus from Positano to Sorrento, and then head from Sorrento (bus/ferry/train?) to Rome for last night before flying out.
With that skeleton itinerary comes a lot of questions. I'll start with a few now:
1) What would we do with our luggage after arriving in Naples and wanting to head immediately over to Pompeii? Is there a place to store luggage in the Naples train station so we can go to Pompeii without lugging it there and back?
2) Is there anything that you would switch up in order to see Naples? Maybe only one night on Capri and do one night in Naples? That was my fiancee's thought -- arrive in Naples, check into a hotel, go to Pompeii and then spend the night in Napels. That would alleviate the luggage issue and maybe give us the opportunity to explore Naples (although, I've heard mixed reviews on Naples).
3) We are trying to stay on a budget of under $2,000 for our time there. I've done a little bit of research on places to stay in Rome, Positano and Capri. Any suggestions of "hidden gems" that would be under 125 euros/night? (Or am I dreaming?)
4) Ok, last question for now. . . it is my mom that really thinks we should stay on Capri and in Positano. I'm wondering, though, if we could find less expensive lodging in Amalfi and just do day trips to Positano and Capri. She thinks it is really worth the experience to actually stay in Positano and Capri, versus just visiting for the day. Do you all agree?
I'm sort of worried that we are doing a lot of running around that things won't feel relaxed. But wouldn't it be a shame to miss out on seeing something like Pompeii or should we skip it and head straight to the coast?
Sorry for the long-winded message. I'm absolutely so excited about this trip and want it to be fantastic without breaking the bank. Appreciate any insights you may have -- I love reading the forum for all the wonderful insights and experiences.
Thanks-
Kellie
First two nights in Rome. Take train from Rome to Naples and then the local train/bus (not sure what this is) to Pompeii to see the ruins; back to Naples to catch the ferry to Capri.
Two nights on Capri. Take the ferry from Capri to Sorrento and then take the bus from Sorrento to Positano (to see the coast along the bus ride).
Two nights in Positano. From Positano, take the ferry over to Amalfi to visit Amalfi and Ravello as a day trip.
Bus from Positano to Sorrento, and then head from Sorrento (bus/ferry/train?) to Rome for last night before flying out.
With that skeleton itinerary comes a lot of questions. I'll start with a few now:
1) What would we do with our luggage after arriving in Naples and wanting to head immediately over to Pompeii? Is there a place to store luggage in the Naples train station so we can go to Pompeii without lugging it there and back?
2) Is there anything that you would switch up in order to see Naples? Maybe only one night on Capri and do one night in Naples? That was my fiancee's thought -- arrive in Naples, check into a hotel, go to Pompeii and then spend the night in Napels. That would alleviate the luggage issue and maybe give us the opportunity to explore Naples (although, I've heard mixed reviews on Naples).
3) We are trying to stay on a budget of under $2,000 for our time there. I've done a little bit of research on places to stay in Rome, Positano and Capri. Any suggestions of "hidden gems" that would be under 125 euros/night? (Or am I dreaming?)
4) Ok, last question for now. . . it is my mom that really thinks we should stay on Capri and in Positano. I'm wondering, though, if we could find less expensive lodging in Amalfi and just do day trips to Positano and Capri. She thinks it is really worth the experience to actually stay in Positano and Capri, versus just visiting for the day. Do you all agree?
I'm sort of worried that we are doing a lot of running around that things won't feel relaxed. But wouldn't it be a shame to miss out on seeing something like Pompeii or should we skip it and head straight to the coast?
Sorry for the long-winded message. I'm absolutely so excited about this trip and want it to be fantastic without breaking the bank. Appreciate any insights you may have -- I love reading the forum for all the wonderful insights and experiences.
Thanks-
Kellie
Feb 10th, 2004, 08:24 AM
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Rely to your questions:
1) you can store your luggage at the train station (Napoli Centrale). The Circumvesuviana commuter rail to Pompei departs from the lower level of this train station.
2) You don't need to spend the night in Naples. You can visit it as a day trip from SORRENTO. Is there an extra day in your itinerary?
3) The Hotel Lidomare in Amalfi, at 110 Euros for two (including breakfast) is a good deal. Ditto for the Hotel Toro and the Hotel Villa Amore, both in Ravello. Have you been able to find something comparable in Positano? (Many people say that Positano is much more romantic than Amalfi). Ravello is not as good a base for day trips as is Positano.
4) I agree with your mother.
5) Don't miss Pompei, even though it's your honeymoon!
6) Don't miss the Villa Cimbrone and the Villa Rufolo in Ravello, especially because it's your honeymoon.
7) Returning from Pompei and picking up your luggage, you can board the ferry to Capri from the Molo Beverello (Piazza Municipio), or a hydrofoil from either Molo Beverello or the Mergellina dock. To get from Napoli Centrale to Mergellina, use the subway to Mergellina Station, then walk 500 yards to the dock. To get to Molo Beverello, take a bus (or a taxi) to Piazza Municipio, then walk 300 yards to the dock.
1) you can store your luggage at the train station (Napoli Centrale). The Circumvesuviana commuter rail to Pompei departs from the lower level of this train station.
2) You don't need to spend the night in Naples. You can visit it as a day trip from SORRENTO. Is there an extra day in your itinerary?
3) The Hotel Lidomare in Amalfi, at 110 Euros for two (including breakfast) is a good deal. Ditto for the Hotel Toro and the Hotel Villa Amore, both in Ravello. Have you been able to find something comparable in Positano? (Many people say that Positano is much more romantic than Amalfi). Ravello is not as good a base for day trips as is Positano.
4) I agree with your mother.
5) Don't miss Pompei, even though it's your honeymoon!
6) Don't miss the Villa Cimbrone and the Villa Rufolo in Ravello, especially because it's your honeymoon.
7) Returning from Pompei and picking up your luggage, you can board the ferry to Capri from the Molo Beverello (Piazza Municipio), or a hydrofoil from either Molo Beverello or the Mergellina dock. To get from Napoli Centrale to Mergellina, use the subway to Mergellina Station, then walk 500 yards to the dock. To get to Molo Beverello, take a bus (or a taxi) to Piazza Municipio, then walk 300 yards to the dock.
Feb 10th, 2004, 08:33 AM
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For Rome, I have reservations at Hotel Italia for 113 Euros, www.hotelitaliaroma.it, and for Positano we are staying at Villa Rosa for 140 Euros, www.villarosapositano.it. Both have gotten excellent reviews, just do a search.
Feb 10th, 2004, 08:34 AM
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A very inexpensive and convenient bed and breakfast hotel in Naples is the Pensione Bella Capri, across the busy street from the Molo Beverello, where you catch a boat or hydrofoil to Capri. They have an informative website. It is just off of Piazza Municipio, so it's convenient to see central Naples, including the famous Archeological Museum. The area is not great at night, but it's a good place to sleep and take an early morning boat to the islands offshore. Of course, once you've traveled from Rome to Pompei, and back to Naples, there will be precious little time to see much else in Naples proper on the same day (and you'll be very tired).
Feb 10th, 2004, 08:54 AM
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I would take your proposed schedule and stay only 1 night on Capri. I would not stop for Pompeii on your way to Capri, but go directly to the island to start exploring. I would be more relaxed knowing that my luggage was safe in my room, than in a train station. This would give you an extra night in Positano as your base to explore the coast and Pompeii. I would take in Sorrento on your way back to Rome when you leave.
Feb 10th, 2004, 08:56 AM
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Thank you for the great information and suggestions! Just looked at the calendar and realized that the day/night of Monday, May 31 doesn't have anything planned according to the skeleton itinerary. . . so the question is, do we need more than two days in Rome? Should we use it for the night in Naples? Or another night in Positano?
We will be spending the night in Rome on Tuesday, May 1 because we fly out the morning of May 2. Three nights in one place may feel like a respite in our hurried itinerary. What do you think?
Oh. . . and has anyone stayed at the Hotel Panda in Rome, near the Spanish Steps? My sister-in-law to be suggested the Pensione Suisse, but I didn't read good things about it on tripadvisor.com, so I'm looking for other options. Crystal, I'll check out where you are staying! Thanks!
We will be spending the night in Rome on Tuesday, May 1 because we fly out the morning of May 2. Three nights in one place may feel like a respite in our hurried itinerary. What do you think?
Oh. . . and has anyone stayed at the Hotel Panda in Rome, near the Spanish Steps? My sister-in-law to be suggested the Pensione Suisse, but I didn't read good things about it on tripadvisor.com, so I'm looking for other options. Crystal, I'll check out where you are staying! Thanks!
Feb 10th, 2004, 09:02 AM
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GAC. . . one other thing. . . no, not finding anything for 110 euros in Positano. My parents stayed at La Fenice for around 125 euros a few years ago and loved it there (I guess they have a talking parrot on the terrace!). I'm going to contact them. I have to admit, I'm a bit shy about contacting hotels via phone with no Italian skills. I can say good-morning/evening. . . and there it ends. I wish everyone in the world had a web site. . . or that international calling didn't seem complicated. (Can you tell I'm a rookie at this??)
Feb 10th, 2004, 09:04 AM
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I honeymooned on the Amalfi Coast and can't imagine anyone trading a day in Capri or Positano for a day in Naples! 
But maybe others who's spent time there can sing its praises. We just passed through.
I would also get settled in your hotel and then go to Pompeii, but that's just me.
You do know there's a hydrofoil direct from Capri to Positano? You could see the coast by SITA bus when you take your day trip to Amalfi and Ravello from Positano and save yourself the Capri-Sorrento-Positano hassle. That's exactly what we did. The views are extraordinary.
But maybe others who's spent time there can sing its praises. We just passed through.I would also get settled in your hotel and then go to Pompeii, but that's just me.
You do know there's a hydrofoil direct from Capri to Positano? You could see the coast by SITA bus when you take your day trip to Amalfi and Ravello from Positano and save yourself the Capri-Sorrento-Positano hassle. That's exactly what we did. The views are extraordinary.
Feb 10th, 2004, 09:05 AM
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"Just looked at the calendar and realized that the day/night of Monday, May 31 doesn't have anything planned according to the skeleton itinerary. . . so the question is, do we need more than two days in Rome? Should we use it for the night in Naples? Or another night in Positano?
We will be spending the night in Rome on Tuesday, May 1 because we fly out the morning of May 2. Three nights in one place may feel like a respite in our hurried itinerary. What do you think?"
I am a little confused. Did you mean to say June 1 & June 2?
If I understand your itinerary, you will arrive in Rome May 25th, stay 2 nights and head south on May 27th? Assuming you're flying from the US, you will arrive in Rome on May 25th in late morning and jet-lagged. That will leave you with with 1.5 days to sightsee in Rome. That is definitely not enough time; unless you and your fiance have been to Rome before.
I would suggest you use the extra day (May 31st) in Rome.
Congratulations and you'll have a great time in Italy!
We will be spending the night in Rome on Tuesday, May 1 because we fly out the morning of May 2. Three nights in one place may feel like a respite in our hurried itinerary. What do you think?"
I am a little confused. Did you mean to say June 1 & June 2?
If I understand your itinerary, you will arrive in Rome May 25th, stay 2 nights and head south on May 27th? Assuming you're flying from the US, you will arrive in Rome on May 25th in late morning and jet-lagged. That will leave you with with 1.5 days to sightsee in Rome. That is definitely not enough time; unless you and your fiance have been to Rome before.
I would suggest you use the extra day (May 31st) in Rome.
Congratulations and you'll have a great time in Italy!
Feb 10th, 2004, 09:14 AM
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Hi kelly,
Do you have your airline tickets? If so skip this part.
How important is Rome to you? You seem to have a honeymoon planned around the Amalfi Coast. Why not fly in/out Naples?
You take the ES* from Rome TE to Naples Centrale. See www.trenitalia.com.
I liked Naples, but I think that you are doing enough packing and unpacking on this trip. I also suggest that you go directly to Capri, and do Pompeii as a daytrip from Sorrento or Positano.
As an alternative to a hotel in Positano, I suggest the Hotel Le Sirene in Praiano. We stayed there for a week and liked it very much. www.lesirene.com
Most folks who have been to Capri think that an overnight stay is well worthwhile. You could drop one day from Capri and add it to either Rome or Praiano.
You might look up hotels in the Piazza Navona or Trastevere areas of Rome. There have been some threads recommending hotels in these areas.
This thread might be helpful
Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340
Do you have your airline tickets? If so skip this part.
How important is Rome to you? You seem to have a honeymoon planned around the Amalfi Coast. Why not fly in/out Naples?
You take the ES* from Rome TE to Naples Centrale. See www.trenitalia.com.
I liked Naples, but I think that you are doing enough packing and unpacking on this trip. I also suggest that you go directly to Capri, and do Pompeii as a daytrip from Sorrento or Positano.
As an alternative to a hotel in Positano, I suggest the Hotel Le Sirene in Praiano. We stayed there for a week and liked it very much. www.lesirene.com
Most folks who have been to Capri think that an overnight stay is well worthwhile. You could drop one day from Capri and add it to either Rome or Praiano.
You might look up hotels in the Piazza Navona or Trastevere areas of Rome. There have been some threads recommending hotels in these areas.
This thread might be helpful
Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340
Feb 10th, 2004, 09:33 AM
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Whoops. . . I did mean to say that we fly out on June 2. My mind is racing! Sorry. . .
My mom suggested that we go by boat from Capri to Sorrento and then take the bus to Positano for the views. But I can see where taking the boat would be just as, if not more, spectacular. Is good ol mom right about views from the bus, traveling from Sorrento to Positano? Or is the boat from Capri to Positano the way to go?
I agree with the extra day in Rome. Thanks for confirming that!
I can do a day trip to Pompeii from Positano?? I didn't even consider that! Is this a bus ride away?
Ira. . . yes, we did get our plane tickets. We've never been to Italy before. I had grand dreams of being an archaeologist as a child, so I'm salivating at the thought of ancient ruins in Rome and seeing the Vatican -- given my Catholic upbringing. So Rome is important.
Sounds like there is consensus in staying only one night in Capri.
Boy, wonder how mom is going to take to me switching around her proposed itinerary!! : )
(She took a trip with Cosmos a while back and is making recommendations based on her experiences. But I thought there might be better ways to orchestrate this trip! Thanks!)
My mom suggested that we go by boat from Capri to Sorrento and then take the bus to Positano for the views. But I can see where taking the boat would be just as, if not more, spectacular. Is good ol mom right about views from the bus, traveling from Sorrento to Positano? Or is the boat from Capri to Positano the way to go?
I agree with the extra day in Rome. Thanks for confirming that!
I can do a day trip to Pompeii from Positano?? I didn't even consider that! Is this a bus ride away?
Ira. . . yes, we did get our plane tickets. We've never been to Italy before. I had grand dreams of being an archaeologist as a child, so I'm salivating at the thought of ancient ruins in Rome and seeing the Vatican -- given my Catholic upbringing. So Rome is important.
Sounds like there is consensus in staying only one night in Capri.
Boy, wonder how mom is going to take to me switching around her proposed itinerary!! : )
(She took a trip with Cosmos a while back and is making recommendations based on her experiences. But I thought there might be better ways to orchestrate this trip! Thanks!)
Feb 10th, 2004, 10:28 AM
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Quote:
"I had grand dreams of being an archaeologist as a child, so I'm salivating at the thought of ancient ruins in Rome"
kellbell-
Just to make things more complicated for you, you might want to visit the Archeology Museum in Naples.
"I had grand dreams of being an archaeologist as a child, so I'm salivating at the thought of ancient ruins in Rome"
kellbell-
Just to make things more complicated for you, you might want to visit the Archeology Museum in Naples.
Feb 10th, 2004, 10:40 AM
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Ok. . . I'm surprised no one said to me, 8 days in Italy -- are you crazy?!
Sigh. I wish I had a month already. If we do Naples, I'll put it on the list. Thanks!
Ira. . . ok, had no idea you were such an Italian god! : ) Loved that thread you listed in your post. I hope you come back here to help me out. . .
Can anyone tell me how to get from Positano to Pompeii? A few mentioned that is what they would do, versus going en route to Capri. (And Ira, I didn't see this one listed in the long thread. . . then again, it is quite possible that I missed it!)
Cheap Capri lodging anyone?
Sigh. I wish I had a month already. If we do Naples, I'll put it on the list. Thanks!
Ira. . . ok, had no idea you were such an Italian god! : ) Loved that thread you listed in your post. I hope you come back here to help me out. . .
Can anyone tell me how to get from Positano to Pompeii? A few mentioned that is what they would do, versus going en route to Capri. (And Ira, I didn't see this one listed in the long thread. . . then again, it is quite possible that I missed it!)
Cheap Capri lodging anyone?
Feb 10th, 2004, 12:02 PM
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kellbell-
One way to get from Positano to Pompeii-
Take SITA bus from Positano to Sorrento (1hr), then take Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Pompei Scavi stop (30mins). The train station is about 5 mins walk to the entrance of Pompeii.
http://www.sita-on-line.it/SITO%20CA...eCampania.html
http://www.vesuviana.it/infoeng.htm
One way to get from Positano to Pompeii-
Take SITA bus from Positano to Sorrento (1hr), then take Circumvesuviana train from Sorrento to Pompei Scavi stop (30mins). The train station is about 5 mins walk to the entrance of Pompeii.
http://www.sita-on-line.it/SITO%20CA...eCampania.html
http://www.vesuviana.it/infoeng.htm
Feb 10th, 2004, 12:11 PM
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Thanks! I figured we might have to do something like that. . . I guess it is worth it so we don't have to lug baggage around.
Does anyone have any thoughts about weekends? I mean, would a weekend spent in Rome give us a better/worse experience (thinking may be more fun for nightlife, but worse for lines). . . could be a silly question, but I guess I'm just wondering if it matters doing Rome then the Amalfi Coast area or if we should consider first going to Amalfi coast and ending with Rome. Any pros/cons?
Does anyone have any thoughts about weekends? I mean, would a weekend spent in Rome give us a better/worse experience (thinking may be more fun for nightlife, but worse for lines). . . could be a silly question, but I guess I'm just wondering if it matters doing Rome then the Amalfi Coast area or if we should consider first going to Amalfi coast and ending with Rome. Any pros/cons?
Feb 10th, 2004, 12:33 PM
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hi kellbell
when i was in europe about 5 years ago, i was told to be in Rome on a wednesday if you could swing it, b/c the Pope comes out & speaks to the public every wednesday. sure enough, he did & we saw the Pope the Wednesday we were there.
I have no idea if this still goes on, especially with his health lately, but its something you might want to consider.
In a city like Rome I assume they have some pretty good nightlife even during the week.
We are planning a similar honeymoon right now for almost the same time frame! We are planning on 3 days Positano, 3 days Sorrentto, & 4 days in Rome, from May 18 - May 28! looks like we might be in Rome around the same time! Good luck w/ your planning, its overwhelming, isnt it?!
when i was in europe about 5 years ago, i was told to be in Rome on a wednesday if you could swing it, b/c the Pope comes out & speaks to the public every wednesday. sure enough, he did & we saw the Pope the Wednesday we were there.
I have no idea if this still goes on, especially with his health lately, but its something you might want to consider.
In a city like Rome I assume they have some pretty good nightlife even during the week.
We are planning a similar honeymoon right now for almost the same time frame! We are planning on 3 days Positano, 3 days Sorrentto, & 4 days in Rome, from May 18 - May 28! looks like we might be in Rome around the same time! Good luck w/ your planning, its overwhelming, isnt it?!
Feb 10th, 2004, 12:43 PM
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pjmay:
Hi! Tell me about it (re: overwhelming)! My fiancee is not the planner of the couple, so I'm taking the bull by the horns on this. He'll be the one to tell me to calm down as we miss our train or our ferry someplace -- because don't all good plans get thrown to the wayside?!? A good balance, I suppose! (I hope that doesn't mean I'm the stereotypical controlling bridezilla!)
Thank you so much for the tip on the Pope's Wednesday appearances. I'll look into it. That would be very memorable. . . glad that I asked my question!
I'm assuming that you are getting married the weekend before me in May. Congrats! I wonder if we'll cross paths in Italy and not even know it. . .internet certainly makes the world smaller!
Happy Planning!
Hi! Tell me about it (re: overwhelming)! My fiancee is not the planner of the couple, so I'm taking the bull by the horns on this. He'll be the one to tell me to calm down as we miss our train or our ferry someplace -- because don't all good plans get thrown to the wayside?!? A good balance, I suppose! (I hope that doesn't mean I'm the stereotypical controlling bridezilla!)
Thank you so much for the tip on the Pope's Wednesday appearances. I'll look into it. That would be very memorable. . . glad that I asked my question!
I'm assuming that you are getting married the weekend before me in May. Congrats! I wonder if we'll cross paths in Italy and not even know it. . .internet certainly makes the world smaller!
Happy Planning!
Feb 10th, 2004, 12:46 PM
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PJmay. . . if you come back. . . mind telling me where you are staying in Positano? Checking out my options there. Villa Rosa suggested by crystalnpat earlier in this thread looks amazing, but I'm wondering if I can find something even slightly less expensive. The more I save on the rooms, the more gelato and limoncello we can indulge in!
