Five days in Amalfi - how to fill them
 

So, we've got our airfare, we've got our hotels, and I'm trying to figure out what we want to DO on our trip. We'll pick up a car at the Naples airport, and start in Amalfi for 5 days, then drive to Benevento for 2 days, then ditch the car in Sorrento, ferry to Capri for 2 days, and then ferry to Naples for a final 3 days. Our trip is the last 2 weeks in May.

SO - for the 5 days in Amalfi - so many choices, I hardly know how to manage. Ravello, right? Pompeii. Positano. Drive or ride the famous Amalfi Coast (I'm leaving the how up to my husband). Salerno? Paestum? (We were in Greece last year, I might not need much more in the way of Grecian ruins).

We like short hikes, walking tours (are there good walking tours where you just show up and pay 10 bucks like in the UK?), getting off the beaten path a little. Museums and churches. Oh and eating, we like eating. Shopping - not so much, I do like buying small souvenirs and I do buy a few gifts for my family. Actually, I do my best shopping in grocery stores, THE best place to buy nice things to take home!

What am I leaving out? Any and all suggestions welcome.

Alice

http://www.giovis.com/Egiovis.htm
This is a good site for hiking trails.

Such a short time, so much to see Alice. Don't forget Herculaneum (Ercolano). You've got the order a bit wrong though, as you'll be doubling back on your self too much. It would be better to do Benevento on the way from Naples Airport and then drive to the Amalfi coast whilst you've got the car.

If you leave Benevento early on the day you want to get to the Amalfi coast, then you can take in Pompeii and Herculaneum (maybe) on the way to Amalfi. Taking the shortest route on the viamichelin route planner, it gives a 2 hour journey of some 75kms from Benevento to Pompeii.

So you should be at Pompeii by say 10:30, giving enough time to see Pompeii. Your journey to Amalfi is then is about an hour for 36kms. You should have plenty of time to reach your hotel and have a leisurely dinner. You can then slot into the rest of your trip.

Well, we're not going to be changing the order at this point, since the hotels are booked.

I was definitely planning to see Pompeii, but am uncertain about Herculaneum. What else might we see enroute to/from Pompeii?

And thanks for the link, TravMimi. I also bought a book (can't remember the name, but it was recommended somewhere on this forum) that is full of hikes and walks. I think you can only find it used at this point.

Alice

A boat ride up the coast with Gennaro & Salvatore---book them at the dock in Positano or online.

Thanks, Bob, I always take your suggestions very seriously! Sounds like a great idea. I'm going to check them out online NOW.

Alice

We spent one day in Amalfi taking the bus up to Ravello and then walking back to Amalfi. Another day, we went to Positano. From Sorrento, we visited Pompeii on one day and then Herculaneum and Oplontis on another. We also spent a day in Naples and another day on Capri. If we had another day in Sorrento, we would have gone to Caserta. http://www.initaly.com/regions/campania/caserta.htm

Well, we're staying in Benevento for 2 nights, and are definitely going to Caserta. And we're staying 3 nights in Naples and 2 in Capri. I hear Salerno is nice, we'll probably go there.

Is Sorrento a worthwhile destination of its' own, or just a good place to base?

Also, has anyone attended one of the musical events in Ravello? I downloaded a schedule.

Alice