My husband and I are planning an 8 night trip to Italy in September. We are spending the first 3 nights in Venice, then flying to Naples (We have previously been to Rome twice and Florence). We arrive in Naples late on the 4th night. We have booked Le Sirenuse for the last 3 nights. We have nights 4 and 5 that we are having a hard time deciding what to do and where to stay? Do we spend two nights in Itsicha or Capri, Ravello, Sorrento? Do we want to see the city of Naples at all? I have been doing alot of research but I am totally confused as to what to do for those two nights. While in Positano do we visit some of these other cities or will we want to spend those three days just in Positano?? Thanks!!

This is a tough one for strangers to answer as we all have different ways we like to spend time on the Amalfi coast. In my opinin Positano is simply beautiful, but there isn't much to do there. You can cover the handful of shops in an hour, and I could only sit on my terrace and look at that magnificent view so long. So I think you can visit Amalfi, Ravello, and maybe even Sorrento while there.

I'd opt for the other two nights on Capri. That's just one full day there, which is enough, but two wonderful and magical nights.

You could spend the two days in Naples if you preferred to do Pompeii and a number of museums and churches -- that decision is up to you. Or Sorrento is another possibility as a two night base and going to Pompeii from there.

I think Patrick's given you excellent advice, although since we're sloths, we DID happily spend more than three days just in Positano doing nothing other than taking in the incredible scenery and eating great food! While in Positano, make sure to get a reservation for either dinner or lunch in one of the wonderful restaurants of Montepertuso, a small mountain village 15 minutes by car from Positano. Some of the ones I'd recommend: IL RITROVA and DONNA ROSA .
Check previous posts for other recommendations.

Capri is well worth a two night stay. We very much enjoyed Hotel Luna, which is a short walk away from the main piazzetta, and has a lovely garden set in an old lemon grove, as well as a stunning pool area. If you're interested, make sure you ask for the water view rooms. The view of the coast is unforgettable! I'd also recommend that you hire a private boat driver to give you a tour of the island. DOn't do this through the hotel, or you'll pay too much. You can negotiate directly with the captains down at Marina Grande, or ask about it at the tourist kiosk near the exit of the funicular.

Have a wonderful time!

Thank you for the great advise. My husband and I enjoy both beautiful scenery and great food. We have decided that we will spend 2 nights in Capri. We will check out Hotel Luna. I was also going to check out Quisisano Hotel.

More advise please - whereas I know the Sirenuse is regarded as the best hotel in Positano, I am having trouble coming to grips with spending 740 Euro's per night. I was thinking about checking out Palazzo Murat. Any other hotel suggestions??

Thanks!!

Ellenjohn,

I am mildly obsessed with the Hotel Poseidon, which is a great 4-star, just uphill from Sirenuse. We have stayed a few times in their jr. suites, which are not elaborately decorated, (although they have astonishingly large marble bathrooms) but they do have decent sized terraces overlooking town with an incredible view, and the rooms are very comfortable.

I can't say enough about the fine service this hotel offers. It really tops my lists of favorite hotels. The Poseidon is small, family-run, and the food has always been out of this world. There's a small (I call it an oversized bathtub)swimming pool, a lovely sunning terrace with spectacular views, and a decent spa and exercise room. I don't know anything about Palazzo Murat other than it's location, but two others you might want to check into are Albergo Miramare, and Covo dei Sarceni, which is in town and recently renovated its pool area.

About Quississana (sp?). I don't presume to know how old you are, but it does draw an older very moneyed crowd. And it's extremely expensive! And although I have no personal experience with these others, it seems that Villa Brunella, and Casa Morgano (they are pretty much down the block from each other, about a ten minute walk from the main piazzetta) have consistently gotten good reviews here on the forum. You might want to check previous posts for further info. Also check tripadvisor.com for any info you need about hotels you're considering. Its good for feedback from previous guests.

By the way, all of these hotels are extremely popular, and repeat guests tend to book year after year, so if you're interested, I'd send off a couple e-mails or faxes as soon as you can.

Good luck with your plans!

Just wanted to add that if you decide to book Hotel Luna in Capri, be careful to ask for and get water view or garden view rooms. They do have other rooms for less money which face an interior courtyard-- a waste of money in beautiful Capri!

I stayed at the Villa Franca in Positano in 2002 and enjoyed it very much. It was definitely less expensive than le Sirenuse, but still quite nice. It has a rooftop pool and great views as it is near the top of the town. However, a downside to the hotel is that, because it is near the top of the town, you have a long hike back from the beach, or an expensive cab ride. Also, if you reserve at this hotel, try to get a room in the main building.
With regard to the remainder of your trip, it looks like you have settled on Capri, but I would not count Naples out, even if you ony explore it for a few hours. Naples gets bad press and I was very pleasantly surprised by this vibrant and charming city. We stayed at the wonderful Hotel Excelcior right on the bay, with a dramtic view of Mt. Vesuvius and Capri.

Here's a vote for two nights on enchanting, charming, delightful Capri and for Hotel La Minerva. I was there last summer and would go back to La Minerva in a heartbeat -- beautiful, clean and cool, with no pool, but at 190 Euros a night you don't miss it. Their website does it complete justice. Google La Minerva Capri and check it out.

I would vote fot Palazzo Murat. I have stayed there 3 times and it is beautiful. I have also stayed at the Sirenuse and for the money factor I would go for Murat. They also have a fabulous restaurant there with a woman chef. The concierge can get you a driver to Pompeii with a great guide and to the other towns. Ravello cannot be missed. A great ceramic shop, Marias and a great restaurant Mama'a is located there. I ditto the recommendation of Donna Rosa restaurant it is a 10 course meal and quite lovely. 2 days at Capri is good. We stayed at the Quisiano (SP) but it is quite stuffy. The Brunela looked great. Capri does book up. You can take the boat from Capri to Positano and it makes a lovely trip.

Actually we also stayed at the Palazzo Murat, and after getting over my initial disappointment of their putting us in a ground floor room, when I had requested the old section when I booked the better part of a year early, I always regretted not being in a hotel with a view -- what Positano is really all about. If I had it to do over again, I'd book one of the hillside hotels with a balcony and view.

FYI, when I stayed at Villa Franca a few years ago they had a free shuttle van down to the square and back from early morning until midnight.
Maybe they still offer that service, so I recommend that hotel, but I am sure the others recommended are great too.