HELP WITH AMALFI COAST
 

Hello,We are planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast for this coming August and would like to get some advice about where to base ourselves(Either Sorrento or Positano). Also what do you recommend for length of stay. We are planning a total of 10 days with 3 days spent in Rome at the end of our trip (since we are flying out of there). Is 7 days on AC enough or too long??? Please help....Thank you so much :-)

Hi S,

7 days on the AC is not too long.

You might find the AC part of my trip report helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...fid=2&tid=

3 days in Rome is a little short.

Where are you flying into/out of?

((I))

we are flying in & out of Rome

7 days IMO would be about 2 or 3 too long for the typical traveler unless you just want to sit in a gorgeous seaside town and soak up the views. (If you've never been to Rome i'd add in a day or two there perhaps.) But you certainly could spend a week there without being bored.

But there is so much to day trip to from a AC base (Sorrento is not on the AC but is strategically better located for day trips to Capri, Naples (sic!), Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ischia and along the AC - Ravello, Amalfi and Positano. And the famous temples at Paestum are within easy reach.

7 days should be very nice. I suggest half the time in Sorrento, when you can visit Sorrento itself, Pompei, Naples, or Capri, and then the second half in one of the towns on the amalfi drive itself - Positano, Praiano, or Amalfi.

Check out my web page on our trip there:
http://www.travel.stv77.com/amalfi.html

Hi S,

Since you are flying into Rome, you will want to go to Sorrento via Naples and the Circumvesuviana commuter train.

If you decide to stay in or near Positano, I suggest taking the train to Salerno and the ferry to Amalfi or Positano.

The ferry docks are abt 3 blks from the train station in Salerno.

If you get off in Amalfi, you can take the SITA bus along the coast road to Positano.

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Ira: any idea how far the AC buses drop you off from the train station in Salerno? At the station - i've heard not?? Thanks.

So I'm assuming either Sorrento or Positano is fine to base out of. We were thinking of renting a car for the drive down the coast? Is this a bad idea for that time of year? I know there are plenty of trains & ferries to get around.

We stayed 7 days in Positano last year and rented an apartment. It was very enjoyable, and the day trip opportunities are sensational.

Here is a link to our trip report (hope it helps):
http://www.onelittleworld.com/campania_1.html

Enjoy!

Hi SM - For an August visit don't even THINK of driving the Amalfi Coast. A car is a definite no-no in high season - unless you enjoy sitting in endless traffic jams. And parking is almost non-existant too ...

The only way to go is ferry. There are frequent boat/hydrofoil services from Positano along the coast and to Capri.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

We found a week just too long to stay in Positano. 4 days might have been about right. We took the ferries everywhere. Would not even consider driving. We'd spent 3 days in Napoli and took the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento and then the bus to Positano. The bus journey alone convinced us we'd been right about not hiring a car!!
Positano is a good base for visiting Capri; Amalfi/Ravello and Sorrento. Be aware that you have a lot of climbing up and down steep streets though.

I'll be on the AC in early May. Looking for recomendations for lodging, not too expensive, that I can use a base. Easy access to public transport for day trips. I've heard mid Sorrento is noisy. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

stuart2611 - I stayed about 10 minutes outside of Sorrento at www.ilnido.com. They have a free shuttle to the town or train station in the mornings and late afternoon/early evening. Prices are reasonable and include breakfast. They are also on the bus route.

smfeinstein - I would spend more time in Rome and less time on the coast unless you've already been to Rome.

Hi PB,

The SITA bus stops at the front door of the train station in Salerno.

((I))

Hi SM,

You don't want a car on the AC in season.

The coast road is clogged with tour buses and there is little parking to be had.

((I))

Hi Stuart,

We very much enjoyed the Le Sirene in Praiano.

www.lesirene.com

((I))

Ira, the link to your trip report doesn't seem to be working. Is it me?

Hi MMM,

It should be
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

((I))

Hi Ira! Thanks in advance! I'm off to enjoy armchair traveling along with you on your trip. ;)

Thanks for the hotel choices. I appreciate the inside advice.

Ira, we just took the SITA bus from Praiano into Salerno Oct. 13, and it stopped about 2 blocks from the train station. An easy walk and no problem, though.

I don't know what your accomodation budget is but if you can afford it consider a few nights at the San Pietro in Positano . It is wonderful .Just outside town driving towards Salerno .They have a courtesy car to take you to town . Views, wonderful service and food .see www.relaischateaux.com/sanpietro

Hi cmenoni

>..we just took the SITA bus from Praiano into Salerno Oct. 13, and it stopped about 2 blocks from the train station.<

Thanks for the correction.

Did you take the bus back?

When we did our trip the buses stopped in the plaza in front of the train station.

((I))

Thank you everyone for all your help and information. It really helped me figure out where do go from here. I will consider all your suggestions and let you know what happens. Thanks again !

We spent a week based in Sorrento this past October. It was a great choice for us as we wanted to take the local train to Pompeii one day and the archeological museum in Naples another day. One day was spent boating to & fro Capri, another day with a private driver exploring the Amalfi Coast. For us, Sorrento was the perfect base.
While 7 days may be great for you, I'd take a day off to add to the Rome portion. I love Rome!

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Stayed in both Sorrento and Ravello. Think Positano is too filled with tourists and NOTHING to do but shop in ladies stores. Sorrento has nightlife and is great to walk around. Easy access to Pompeii and Naples via the Circumvesuviana, a little local train running between Naples and Sorrento.

Ravello is far lovelier. More upscale. Nicer views. We stayed at the Villa Maria and are returning to stay there this May for 5 nights.