Help Me Choose a City: Amalfi Coast & Sorrento
 

We are 5 women in our mid to late 30s. We plan to travel, by rail, in to Naples (from Rome). We only have a couple nights. On one of our days, we plan to take a private sailing to Capri. Since this will be the end of a lengthy Italian trip with a lot of sight-seeing and movement, we'd like a nice waterfront, relaxing ambiance. While I know there is plenty to see, sight-seeing isn't a priority. Relaxation is.

Which city would you recommend? And why? And which hotel too?

TIA

Neither is a city. Sorrento is a town and the Amalfi Coast is an area. Sorrento, while small and pretty, is busy because it is convenient to the sights and has good transportation connections. The Amalfi Coast villages have much better scenery (not that the scenery in Sorrento isn't nice) and a lot more charm and relaxing atmosphere. I'd suggest the village of Positano as your target.

What are you prepared to pay for a hotel?

<< we'd like a nice waterfront, relaxing ambiance >>

I wouldn't choose a city if you want to relax.

Where does your private sailing to Capri leave from? If this is important to you I would base yourself near the departure point. If it leaves from any place you choose then one of the AC towns would be ideal.

Why not stay on Capri or Ischia?

When are you going? That could make a big difference.

Excuse my error. I hope I didn't confuse you. ;-)

We're willing to pay up to 300 euros per night. And we'll be there in the end of April.

We're eyeing a couple different sails to Capri. I'd decide when we decide which town or village we'll stay in.

I keep coming across Positano in my searches. I'll do a thorough search. I hadn't thought to consider Capri. I'll read up on Ischia.

Thanks again.

cianadoll - have you considered Procida? It's the baby of the three islands off Naples and is a real undiscovered gem. It has beautiful beaches, a very pretty marina and some great restaurants. It's really laid back and doesn't have the billions of visitors Capri has.

I refer Sorrento since it has more restaurants and night life. Easy access to Amalfi towns and Capri from there. I'd be bored in Positano or Amalfi after a day but they are worth a day trip from Sorrento.

Also, Pompeii is easily accessible from Sorrento... Although you say "no site seeing".

Refer should be prefer!

Does the weather at the end of April allow "firm" plans for sailing to Capri? I honestly don't know and will be interested to see the answers.

I would not prebook a Capri sailing at the end of April since the weather could be rainy or gray, or cold, especially on the water. Wait until the last minute if you can.

Thanks for the heads up on sailing to Capri in April. I will definitely hold off on booking anything in advance.

Adding Procida and Sorrento to my list. Sorrento sounds appealing if we gather the energy or urge to do a little more.

Thank you!

You will be there in off season - too early for pools, swimmming but OK for beach walking (but do realize most re pebbles or even rocks - not sand).

It would help for you to give more info on your intersts.
Sorrento is not a town t otour - it;s a larger town to stay IN and tour FROM - with many more hotels, shops and restaurants. The other towns are all much smaller - and most are cut into the side of the cliff above the sea - so involve a LOT of flights of stairs (sometimes hundreds of steps) to get around.

Not sure I wold overnight on Capri that time of year - and the Blue Grotto may not be accessible - depending on the state of the seas (the opening is high enough only for a row bost with people lying in the bottom).

I personally find the town of Amalfi very charming - it is a small historic town with a beautiful market, a magnificent cathedral and a pretty beach. In Amalfi, we liked the Hotel Luna Convento very much:

www.lunahotel.it

From Amalfi, a bus ride along the coastal road is mandatory as well as a boat ride along the coast to Capri. I would not suggest staying overnight on Capri.

You can also stay in a hotel in the Positano area. The hotels are there on the very steep cliffs like swallows' nest. I can recommend Il Saraceno:

www.saraceno.it

By the way, you do not have to go to Capri to see the Blue Lagoon. Near Amalfi, you find the Emerald Grotto which is as beautiful as the Blue Lagoon and easy to access:

http://www.wondermondo.com/Countries...taSmeraldo.htm

I have seen you can spend a few bucks for the hotel. In this case, also check this one:

www.hotelsantacaterina.it/en/inde

And instead taking the public bus for driving the breathtaking coastal road, hire a minivan with driver. Amalfi Coast has many attractions, but the very best one is driving the road. You will see why.