karolinatx

Hello all -- I'm currently planning my October honeymoon to the Amalfi Coast. We're flying into Rome, as we're using frequent flier miles and that's the only city in Italy where US Airways flies. Well, that, and we'd like to take in some Rome.

We'd like to spend a few days in Capri first, lounge around and slough off the wedding stress. I've been looking at the Caesar Augustus (http://www.caesar-augustus.com/) in Capri -- it looks spectacular. Does anyone have any info?

As far as getting from Rome to Capri -- my research on these boards indicates that we would take the train to Naples, then a smaller train or bus to Ravello, and the the hydrofoil to Capri. Is this correct? Is there a better/more effecient way?

After staying in Capri for a few days, we were thinking about moving off the island and perhaps staying in Positano (Villa Rosa?) for a few days. Then back to Rome to do some sightseeing the last 2 or 3 days.

How does this sound? I'm in the very early stages of planning the honeymoon, so obviously I don't have too many details to work with yet. However, any suggestions and/or wisdom would be appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

karolinatx

Oops, I meant Sorrento, not Ravello, or course.

Grinisa

You don't need to take a train to Sorrento. Take a taxi at the Naples train station to the hydrofoil dock in Naples and take the boat from there. Your plan to spend some time in Capri, Positano and Rome sounds fine.

sjk

Just make sure that you know what train station to get off at in Naples if you plan to take the hydrofoil. There is one that is closer to the docks than Napoli Centrale. That had been our plan until we figured out that we were at the wrong place, and it was easier at that point to take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento. The train gets a bit crowded at times (as was the case around noon on a weekday) so the hydrofoil would have been a lovely option.

Isobel

My husband I visited the Amalfi coast from Rome for a weekend. If you are going by train from Rome to Naples, I would advise the Eurostar (you may already know this). You dont need 1st class seating, second class is very comfortable indeed. You need to book a seat on the Eurostar - you can do this when you arrive in Rome. When you arrive in Naples, take a taxi to the harbour (the area is not very nice around the main traian station) and then the hydrofoil to Naples (or Sorrento). Dont take the local train from Naples to Sorrento - it is so slow and stops at every wee (you may gather from this word "wee" I am from Scotland) local station (We did this on our way back to Naples). I havent been to Positano but I understand from this site that Villa Rosa gets a good name. Ravello is a beautiful place to see - quiet and serene - a visit to the Rufulo Gardens is well worth a visit - you see the whole of the Amalfi coast from the gardens. Another hotel you could look at is the Casa Morgano in Capri - serves breakfast in your room. Should you decide to stay in Sorrento, the Grand Hotel Riviera is a good hotel looking over the Bay of Naples (4 star). My son and his wife have stayed there. Also Grand Hotel Royal.
Have a great honeymoon.
Isobel

judya

We just took the train than transfered to the local train. It was easy and it didn't take that much time. Enjoyed all the samll towns. We even stopped in Pompeii.

karolinatx

Thank you everyone. I've now realized that there are hydrofoils to Capri straight from Naples. How about the Caesar Augustus?

jillrapuzzi

Hi, I am doing a very similar honeymoon this July for 2 weeks leaving on July 6. We also used miles on American and are flying into Rome. We decided to get a car to pick us up at the airport and drive us to the Naples hydrofoil as we are spending the first 5 nights on Capri. (car is 280 euro - worth it to me after a long flight, I won't want to bother with trains.) We are actually staying at the Caesar Augustus, I have some friends who have stayed there and have said the view is incredible and the hotel is really nice. There is no restaurant in the hotel but I think that will encourage us to go out to great places. After 5 nights there we are staying 2 nights in Amalfi at the Hotel Santa Caterina, a splurge, but it looks amazing built into a cliff - very luxurious. Then we are heading by train to Florence for 3 nights including a day trip to Siena, staying at the Hotel Hermitage right at the base of the Ponte Vecchio - I studied abroad there and this is a perfect location and the hotel is nice (my parents have stayed there). Then we head to Rome for 2 nights, staying at the Westin Excelsior - my fiance's company has a deal with them so the room is really cheap. Then we head home! So I can certainly let you know in 3 months how the Caesar Augustus is, but it truly looks amazing! I say go for it.
Hope that helps. Let me know if you want to discuss further, it is sooo exciting!
Jill, Chicago, IL

fluffy

Karolin-
here is a helpful web site for Capri www.caprionline.com under the hotel section click Mamela- I can not recommend it highly enough, there have also been many favorable remarks on this board.... do a serch under Capri Hotels.
I spent the summers on Capri as a child and know it will be a wounderful place for your honeymoon( I will be getting married in Venice, next year).
I will ditto the suggestion of talking a cab to the bay of Naples- and hydrofiol to Capri, be sure to check the hydrfoil schedule, on capionline, as they run less frequentluy in Oct.
Best wishes and many congrats.
la dolce Capri
Fluffy