Going to the Amalfi Coast for a week
 

ok a few questions....we are seasoned travellers but this time it is only the Wife and I. We just celebrated our 17th Anniversary and are flying to Naples mid April.

1) we get to Naples at 9:30 PM after flying from Los Angeles. Should we spend the night in Naples and then head to Positano the next morning. If yes where to stay in Naples ?

2) Should we rent a car. I have driven all over Europe including Italy ?

3) After reading all the reviews I am down thinking of making Positano the Base and then doing day trips to Pompei, Capri, Sorrento...what else should we do we have Five Full Days ?

4) Should we stay at the Miramare (Room 210 only available for 3 nights) which other room should we get or should we stay at the Villa Rosa.... ? Money is not really an issue but cannot justify staying at the Sirenuse ...

5) Some people say we should stay in Sorrento and not Positano...what do you guys think..trying to spend some romantic time with the wife and walk...shop ..eat...and see the amalfi coast

6) On the 21st my flight is at 8:00 am from Naples..does it make sense to leave Positano on the 20th Night...

Thank You all..want to make this is agood one for the wifey..also some good italian clothes shopping in Naples or Amalfi Coast

I would go straight to the hotel in Positano that evening you arrive but with a private driver. I would have the same driver pick me up in Positano before the flight out.
I would stay in Positano, very romantic and that is what you want for an anniversary.
I probably wouldn't rent a car but in April you could easily because there would not be as much traffic. A car will give you convenience of traveling around to restaurants in neighboring towns late in the evening after buses stop. Some hotels have valet parking for your car.
I would use Positano as by base, yes.
I don't know about the Miramare but others here do. I have stayed at the Villa Franca which is very romantic, high in the town for views.

I haven't advised anything that I haven't done myself!

Have a nice romantic trip !!

PS: many boutiques in Positano for wifey!

Hi G,

A private limo to/from Positano is a good idea. It will be about 100E each way.

I think that a car in Positano will be more hindrance than help.

You can spend 2 nights and a day in Naples and visit Pompeii or Mt Vesuviusor Herculaneum or Caserta or Paestum or just see the town.

>On the 21st my flight is at 8:00 am from Naples..does it make sense to leave Positano on the 20th Night...<

Yup. You are going to have to bae at the airport verrrrry early.

Have a lovely visit.

((I))

To clarify, Globetrotter, the naples airport is very small, you should not get there much over an hour before takeoff, and hour and half at the most. The drivers go back and forth carrying passengers that early from Positano and beyond, I've done it many times.

A car would enable you to visit some of the other towns in the hills that other tourists don't even know about, there are some beautiful roads in the hills too. You could drive down to Paseteum, and well, the convenience is not having to take public transportation since you are an experienced driver. You have to pay to park in some of the towns.

My 2 cents:

1) Head to Positano right away if you are driven there. Go there in the morning the next day if you drive yourself.

2) You could do with or without.

3) ...Amalfi and Ravello, and then relax!

4) Miramare and Villa Rosa are both good choices.

5) Sorrento is a better base for Capri and Pompei, and shopping. Positano is right in the Amalfi coast and certainly more romantic. In Sorrento you can walk, in Positano you go up and down steps.

6) Leave Positano early in the morning! If you leave at 5, you'll be at the airport in 70 minutes the most.

The name of a highly reliable limo company on the Amalfi Coast is Benvenuto Limousines. They speak good English and will not fail to pick you up, even if your flight is late (or early).

I think you should go straight to Positano, since the Naples airport is south of Naples and Naples traffic is so bad, it's almost easier to get to Positano.

But you should definitely visit Naples on your trip, especially after seeing Pompeii and Ercolanum. You might consider spending your last night in Naples. I don't have a hotel recommendation, but you can certainly justify the cost of 4 or 5 star accommodation in Naples. Check out tripadvisor for the best reviews and go for it.

I like Sorrento, but I think the AC is more romantic. However, if you are not going to simply laze about for a few days, but instead want to do daytrips everywhere, Amalfi is a bit more convenient to the whole of the AC, including Capri and Ravello.

Hi Globetrotter, another company you might want to "talk" to is francesco's, who posted here today. Go to his website. He is a native of the area and speaks fluent English also. And no, I am no way connected to his company and have never met him but have read so may post that he has written with such good suggestions and have checked out his website. Just food for thought. Do have a wonderful time and congratulations on your 17th wedding anniversary.

As an example of a fabulous night in Naples, take a look the Hotel San Francesco al Monte. When you get to their website, click on their "photo tour":

http://www.mbetravel.com/naples-hotels/

Thank You all. Will update afer the Trip