Hi Again!

Sorry I wasn't as detailed as I should have been..Once again I would welcome any suggestions regarding a trip we are taking to the Amalfi Coast the end of April. We are travelling with another couple and are trying to figure out where to stay. As of now are itinerary looks like this: Sorrento the first three nights then Capri for one night and then in Positano for last three nights. My concern is that we are not so interested in going to the beach but more interested in cultural experiences. We will have a car and would like to travel around the coast. Can anyone offer suggestions/opinions as to whether or not we have picked places that make for a good home base. Sorry if I am rambling it is getting late here! Thanks again!

Gracie -

The Amalfi Coast and Capri are wonderful. We were two nights in Positano and two nights on Capri last September - didn't make it to Sorrento. We didn't have a car - too many posters here advised against having a car - not just that driving can be scary, but that a car can be a hindrance as well - parking , particularly in Positano, can be a problem.

We DID, however, hire a private driver to take the 4 of us (two couples) on a day's drive/tour from Positano to Pompeii to Ravello, Amalfi, and along the coast back to Positano. That was wonderful, relaxing, invigorating, and no stress. I'm glad you're spending at least one night on Capri - it's a really neat place, particularly when the crowds leave after the last ferry - simply strolling along the piazzeta, window shopping, having a grappa or lemoncello on the square. Plus during the day wonderful walks and the scenery is incredible.

As far as beaches go, don't expect much - they don't compare to the sandy beaches we're use to in the US - at least the beaches in California, Hawaii, the Gulf Coast, or Florida and Atlantic coast. With few exceptions, beaches are a bit rocky (pebbles), not sandy.

Unless you're really anxious to be on your own in a car, you might think about letting someone else doing the driving. There are lots of good private drivers, many in Mercedes vans.

KC

Gracie - It looks good to me. Sorrento is a good base for the Bay of Naples and its attractions, and Positano is a great base for the Amalfi Coast.

Sorrento and Positano are actually quite close - 40 mins drive - so you might want to plan your excursions to avoid doubling up ...

Steve

Sorrento and Amalfi are the two best bases for getting around with the best transport connections.Parking is a problem in Positano but elsewhere you should not have too much problem and a car is deal for visitng Vesuvius, Pompeii,Ercolano and Paestum.Ravello is a short drive up from Amalfi.

Hi Gracie,

Definitely plan on visiting Paestum, the Greek temples and museum (south of Salerno). Beautiful and interesting!

Buon viaggio!

Hi Gracie. For research purposes, you may wish to look through our recent trip report of the area:

http://www.onelittleworld.com/campania_1.html

I hope it helps!

Thanks everyone for your ideas, they have really helped!!

where will you pick up the car?? I am fiarly certain that you can take a ferry from Capri to Positano. It might make better sense to go there directly.

we have stayed in positano and loved it's central location to both sorrento and amalfi,and ravello.suggest the villa rosa b&b. beautiful sea views and very reasonable.across the street from the famous 5 star.

Hi G,

>We will have a car and would like to travel around the coast. <

I think that you will find a car more hindrance than help.

The AC road gets clogged by tour buses, and parking places are not easy to find.