Hi,

I was hoping we could get some input for our trip to Italy. This is our current itinerary so any suggestions as to what to do, see & where to stay would be great! These are all new areas for us so we'd love to get some expert advice... THANKS!

Day 1: Get into Rome, train to Florence.
Day 3: Train to Siena (any suggestions here?)
Day 4/5: Train to the AC... we will have 5 nights & 4 days in the AC. Should we just stay all 5 nights in Positano? Or try to stay one other place too? Can we take day trips to places like Ravello, Capri & Amalfi. Are these all feasible day excursions? Should we try to do Sorrento & Pompeii too?? What are the best places to go while visiting the AC?

Thanks again for any helpful advice!

The point of going to the Amalfi Coast is to relax and enjoy the marvelous scenery. It's best to just stay in one place as much as possible. It's hard to advise which of the locations would suit you best, but some general advice would be that if you want to deeply relax and avoid hordes of tourists, you might consider spending all your time in a tucked away location in Capri and only venturing from your poolside in the evenings, when the tourists have left, or to take one boat ride over to the coast to see what it's like.

If you want something even more remote and quiet, pick Ravello.

If you have ambitions to be out and about every day visiting different towns, the choice is between Positano and Amalfi. Positano is kind of tourist chi-chi and I think has the prettiest position, but Amalfi is more lively and democratic, so it is the choice of others.

I think Pompeii is the unique crown jewel attraction of the region, but if you want to see it, it is best to arrange to do so before you settle into the Amalfi, perhaps by spending a night in Sorrento.

Siena by bus might be better - the train station is quite a ways from the old town. There are public buses (www.mega.it/ita/not/sita.htm).

Across from Florence SMN station is a travel agency (you'll see the window displays) where you can buy tix for escorted daytrips in a coach that leaves before 9AM - the good part is the guide that meets the coach in Siena and takes you around. Much fun to listen to someone who knows their stuff for just a few hours, then you're on your own for lunch and a stroll.

There are probably other such coach tours, not just the one I happen to know of - check the pamphlets at your hotel.

WK

First of all, let me say you are entering a fantastic part of the world. Your visit should be great no matter the weather or your schedule. With that said, you can only make it perfect depending on your needs and desires as it relates to travel. I like to keep moving, so a beautiful room tucked back on the island of Capri is not for me. I would choose to visit Capri but room in Sorrento because I fell in love with the people, shops, food, and energy of Sorrento. Train to Florence is a great choice. Bus to Siena for 6euros was very convenient. Pompeii should be a day trip from your base in Sorrento or Amafli Coast. I think all the cities near Sorrento are worthy of a day visit. It is easier to come and go from Sorrento each day, rather than trying to get transportation out of Postiniano, Amalfi, or Capri. All three are a must see and can be done from the water for very little euro. Your time in Florence will go quick. Siena can be done in a day, so think about a little more time in Florence. There is a nice little tour that leaves Florence for the day and goes to Siena and San Gimigiano (sp) for a whole day. Only 69 euros each but you don't have to move everything to a new town. Have a great time, and keep moving.

Dont even bother paying for an expensive tour from Florence or anywhere else - just take the ordinary bus,train or ferry then you can spend however long you want in those beautiful places.
Their transport system is so good - take advantage of it.

One more suggestion that the Bus from Florence to Siena is the preferable way to go.

Thanks for all of the great advice! We certainly appreciate your time in helping us. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to get from Siena to the AC or Sorrento?

travel italy,
My trip report may be of some help http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34811101

Henry

It depends on your interests.

For me Pompeii and the archeological museum in Naples is woth more than the whole AC put together. But to each his own.

Agrre it makes sens to see Pompeii before going to AC - since once there getting in and out is very time-cosuming.

If you really want to be secluded.

I would arrive/stay in Sorrento, spend time at Pompeii (and the Naples museum if you want) then go stay on Capri (which has very few tourists after 6pm). There's enough to do there to amuse you - and if you want you can take a ferry to Amalfi or Positano for one day to explore another town.

Train to Napoli www.trenitalia.it, then the Circumvesuviano train.

At certain times you may take a Eurolink bus to Florence then the train, but most trains go through Chiusi - you may need to change in Chiusi and again in Rome, or not, depends on which you pick.