My wife and I are planning a visit to Rome in August and plan to hire a car to explore the Amalfi Coast, followed by a trip through Assisi and Siena on our way to lake Como.

Are there any pitfalls with this strategy. Would it pay to book hotels well in advance in Sorrento and Positano, or can one wing it whilst there?

Hi Ronnie - August is high season, so you definitely need to book hotels well in advance.

Driving the Amalfi Coast in August can be difficult - the road is narrow and can become log-jammed. Personally I'd suggest using the ferries instead for this part of your holiday.

With your planned itinerary I would hire a car when you leave the Amalfi Coast, e.g at Sorrento or Salerno - for your journey north.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

I'm reading this to say you want to tour the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Rome and you want to see Assisi and Siena on your way from Rome to Lake Como. Is that correct? If so I'll let others comment on that.

I agree that you should book ahead. Not only are there tourists from other countries, the Italians are on vacation as well.

We took a city bus from Sorrento (our base) to Amalfi in March and it took almost 2 hours to go 20 miles! The problem was the busses. The road wasn't wide enough for two to pass each other-one had to back up to the nearest layby. Two cars can pass, a car and a bus can pass but NOT 2 busses. How are you and your wife on motor cycles? LOL!

Perhaps other posters can suggest a less busy time of day to drive along the coast? Ferries will give you a lovely view of the towns. Do a search on Fodors about hiring your own driver for an Amalfi coast drive-I believe that has come up in the past.

Many thanks for your valued contribution. As we plan to travel from Rome toward the Amalfi coast and then northwards toward Como via Assisi where would you suggest we secure the ferries?

For drivers on the coast you can try:

http://www.francescomarrapese.com/index.htm
http://www.carsorrento.it/
http://www.limocarservice.net/index.htm
http://www.amalfi-drive.com/index.html

Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi are your best locations for ferries.

Do not try to drive the AC in August--much too crowded. Take the local SITA bus and ferries along the coast and get your car in Sorrento as you leave. How many weeks do you have for this trip?

Take the train from Rome to Naples and then bus/driver/train to Sorrento. I would not drive the Amalfi coast. I assure you it won't be a relaxing pleasant drive. As you head north I would take the train to Orvieto and rent the car. Avoid the rome traffic congestion. Hertz (book through-autoeurope) is about a 100 meters from the Orvieto train station.

Thanks to all for your excellent advice. If in Italy in August the first red is on moi.

Ronaldo