Italy trip: Second guessing my choice. Should we go to Positano or Amalfi
Feb 11th, 2009, 10:07 AM
#21
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It depends what your kids want to do on the beach. If they like to snorkel, play water, dive off the rocks etc, they'll be fine in Amalfi or Poisitano. If they like to build sand castles, they'll be unhappy. We ended up spending our week elsewhere to get a good beach experience for our kids (who like all of the above but are still very reluctant to forgo sand, even at then 7 and 11 and this summer 9 and 13), then we just spent a couple of days on the Amalfi coast. We're going to do that again this time - a week in rented apartment in Santa Maria di Castellabate (great beach, very low key and relaxed), and four days on the Amalfi coast, so they'll get all the beach they want and we'll get the views, hanging out etc we want. They did love hiking on the Amalfi coast last time and we'll do that again - would your kids like that?
Pompeii is a long way for a day trip from Poisitano or Amalfi - too long for our family. We stayed right in Pompeii which was great for one night and much more convenient - we're going to do that again since six hours in Pompeii wasn't enough for us last time. That would work for you too, and might be better than doubling back to Sorrento if you're going on to Naples the next day.
Enjoy!
Pompeii is a long way for a day trip from Poisitano or Amalfi - too long for our family. We stayed right in Pompeii which was great for one night and much more convenient - we're going to do that again since six hours in Pompeii wasn't enough for us last time. That would work for you too, and might be better than doubling back to Sorrento if you're going on to Naples the next day.
Enjoy!
Feb 11th, 2009, 02:39 PM
#22
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Hi Texastrips,
my kids like to swim and hang out in/around the water but they're a little too old for sand castles so sand isn't that much of a requirement.
I do think that they will like hiking in Amalfi so I will have to put that out there. The hanging out is for all of us!
I think you've made a great point about staying near Pompeii the night before we fly out of Naples instead of doubling back to Sorrento. I will have to start researching some places to stay near Pompeii; any suggestions?
my kids like to swim and hang out in/around the water but they're a little too old for sand castles so sand isn't that much of a requirement.
I do think that they will like hiking in Amalfi so I will have to put that out there. The hanging out is for all of us!
I think you've made a great point about staying near Pompeii the night before we fly out of Naples instead of doubling back to Sorrento. I will have to start researching some places to stay near Pompeii; any suggestions?
Feb 11th, 2009, 03:41 PM
#23
The "doubling back" is a 30-minute train ride. FWIW, if it were my trip, I'd rather spend my last night in Italy in Sorrento or Naples rather than near the Pompeii excavations. There is luggage storage at Pompeii's main entrance.
Feb 11th, 2009, 06:15 PM
#24
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Hiking - amazing. You walk down along the old paths that predate the road through lemon groves, around villas, incredible views, real sense of adventure. We all loved that. The Ravello tourist office provides great free hiking maps with various routes marked.
Pompeii - we stayed at the Hotel Iside and liked it very much. We're staying there again next time. A block and a half from the ruins, great view of Vesuvius from our room, lovely breakfast, immaculately pristine very Italian, family-run hotel. Secure parking or close to the train station. The reviews on TA are a bit mixed which I don't understand - sometimes I think it's about Americans looking for an American type hotel experience which we would rather not have in Italy... Depends what you are looking for.
We booked it on the venere website.
We weren't so keen on Sorrento - very busy and madly touristy. It depends what you want. We loved being so close to the ruins and having our first breath-taking view of the ruins when we popped out for an icecream. I wouldn't want to vacation in Pompeii but it's amazingly and charmingly to us nontouristy as soon as you're 100 yards away from the ruins.
Like all things, it's a matter of taste!
Pompeii - we stayed at the Hotel Iside and liked it very much. We're staying there again next time. A block and a half from the ruins, great view of Vesuvius from our room, lovely breakfast, immaculately pristine very Italian, family-run hotel. Secure parking or close to the train station. The reviews on TA are a bit mixed which I don't understand - sometimes I think it's about Americans looking for an American type hotel experience which we would rather not have in Italy... Depends what you are looking for.
We booked it on the venere website.
We weren't so keen on Sorrento - very busy and madly touristy. It depends what you want. We loved being so close to the ruins and having our first breath-taking view of the ruins when we popped out for an icecream. I wouldn't want to vacation in Pompeii but it's amazingly and charmingly to us nontouristy as soon as you're 100 yards away from the ruins.
Like all things, it's a matter of taste!
Feb 11th, 2009, 07:10 PM
#25
It would be easier to get to Naples airport from Sorrento than Pompeii unless you are planning to hire a private driver. There is a shuttle bus from Sorrento to the airport for 10€ (doesn't stop in Naples). From Pompeii you would have to train to Naples and then catch a bus. Click on bus connection Naples airport on the right, not shuttle which is more of a personal shuttle.
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/
Feb 12th, 2009, 07:46 AM
#26
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Amalfi is definitely a grittier and more authentic city than Positano, which at times seems manufactured for tourists. However, Positano wins hands down for natural beauty, amazing views, and some of the best food I've ever eaten in Italy.
Looks like you've made your choice though, so I won't rave on.
In terms of beaches, look elsewhere. The beaches in Amalfi and Positano have gritty sand and at times very murky water. Many people in the area swim off the sides of boats or in the tiny coves that dot the coast.
Just a few other comments. Positano is not that far from Pompeii. I'm guessing it's about an hour or so drive. So there's no reason why you couldn't visit Pompeii, and overnight in Sorrento.
And, yes, I'd recommend staying overnight in Sorrento rather than in Pompeii, which we thought was a little sleazy, especially in the evening hours.
Looks like you've made your choice though, so I won't rave on.
In terms of beaches, look elsewhere. The beaches in Amalfi and Positano have gritty sand and at times very murky water. Many people in the area swim off the sides of boats or in the tiny coves that dot the coast.
Just a few other comments. Positano is not that far from Pompeii. I'm guessing it's about an hour or so drive. So there's no reason why you couldn't visit Pompeii, and overnight in Sorrento.
And, yes, I'd recommend staying overnight in Sorrento rather than in Pompeii, which we thought was a little sleazy, especially in the evening hours.
Feb 12th, 2009, 02:30 PM
#27
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for your suggestions, I really do appreciate them. With that said, I think I lost out on renting the apt that had such a great rate in Amalfi (Hotel Aurora) so if I can find something comparable in Positano, I may end up switching. I'll keep you posted.
I'm now so undecided on whether I should stay in Pompeii or Sorrento (like I had originally planned). I like the aspect of dropping our luggage at a hotel, then seeing Pompeii but if it's easier/cheaper to get to the airport from Sorrento and I have a good rate on a place, then I may have to take that.
What is the best/cheapest way to get from Positano or Amalfi to Pompeii/Sorrento?
What are your thoughts on the order with which to stay in the Amalfi area.
from Rome to Capri (2 nights)
Capri to Amalfi (3 nights)
Go to Pompeii but stay in Sorrento (one night)
Is there a more logical way? We aren't real keen on the driving to Amalfi so would like to utilize the ferrys back and forth!
Thanks for your suggestions, I really do appreciate them. With that said, I think I lost out on renting the apt that had such a great rate in Amalfi (Hotel Aurora) so if I can find something comparable in Positano, I may end up switching. I'll keep you posted.
I'm now so undecided on whether I should stay in Pompeii or Sorrento (like I had originally planned). I like the aspect of dropping our luggage at a hotel, then seeing Pompeii but if it's easier/cheaper to get to the airport from Sorrento and I have a good rate on a place, then I may have to take that.
What is the best/cheapest way to get from Positano or Amalfi to Pompeii/Sorrento?
What are your thoughts on the order with which to stay in the Amalfi area.
from Rome to Capri (2 nights)
Capri to Amalfi (3 nights)
Go to Pompeii but stay in Sorrento (one night)
Is there a more logical way? We aren't real keen on the driving to Amalfi so would like to utilize the ferrys back and forth!
Feb 12th, 2009, 06:15 PM
#28
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You can take the ferry from Positano to Sorrento. The ride is about 45 minutes. From Sorrento, you can take the local train to the main gates of Pompeii. The ride is about 30 minutes.
Sorry to hear that you lost the apartment in Amalfi. I think you're going to find Positano rentals very expensive. You might want to check smaller towns in the area, or even look at the hotel that Ira often recommends, LE SIRENE in Praino ( spelling??).
Sorry to hear that you lost the apartment in Amalfi. I think you're going to find Positano rentals very expensive. You might want to check smaller towns in the area, or even look at the hotel that Ira often recommends, LE SIRENE in Praino ( spelling??).
Feb 13th, 2009, 09:59 AM
#29
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Thanks Weadles.
Seems that while I was trying to figure out if going to Capri or Amalfi and lastly Sorrento was best, the apt in Amalfi booked. However, that is only when I go directly to their site. If I go to Venere, it comes up as open.
I now do not want to chance losing the B & B in Capri as the first few nights now booked up. I've emailed them to book the last two nights (June 23 and 24) before heading to Sorrento. Hopefully that will pan out.
So it looks like I will come from Naples and try to go straight to Amalfi or Positano (whichever one I can find reasonable accomadations), then head to Capri and lastly Sorrento.
So can I still take the ferry from Naples to Positano or Amalfi w/o it costing a fortune?
Seems that while I was trying to figure out if going to Capri or Amalfi and lastly Sorrento was best, the apt in Amalfi booked. However, that is only when I go directly to their site. If I go to Venere, it comes up as open.
I now do not want to chance losing the B & B in Capri as the first few nights now booked up. I've emailed them to book the last two nights (June 23 and 24) before heading to Sorrento. Hopefully that will pan out.
So it looks like I will come from Naples and try to go straight to Amalfi or Positano (whichever one I can find reasonable accomadations), then head to Capri and lastly Sorrento.
So can I still take the ferry from Naples to Positano or Amalfi w/o it costing a fortune?
