Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast or Cinque Terre?
 

My husband and I are celebrating a big wedding anniversary next June (2008) and are thinking of a week in Italy. We've done the major tourist cities and Tuscany and would like a vacation doing some sightseeing, lots of walking/moderate hiking, relaxing while staring at gorgeous views, and eating delicious food. I have heard good things, although very little, about Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast, and Cinque Terre. We don't want anywhere too crowded. Any advice?

These are, in season three of the most mobbed scenes in Italy - especiall Amalif and Cinque Terre as there is little inhabitable land where everyone flocks to. So cross them off unless out of season. Lake Como is big enough to escape the mobs in places like Bellagio, known for its Portofino-esque unimaginable mobs of tourists negating any charm the place may have when they are not there.

Where would you go in Italy if you had a week?

what time of year

i may still go to a place like Sorrento but crowds don't bother me in fact in a place like Sorrento they are great at night when streets are full....

I would recommend Amalfi for a week - staying in sorrento so you can hop to Naples, Pompeii, Capri, Ischia or along the Amalfi. Lots to do here - hikes, etc.

Without a doubt I would spend a week on the Amalfi Coast. We were there last summer and my 10 year old son said he will spend his honeymoon there.

I have been to Capri in late May and also in Sept. - both times were very nice. Yes, near the piazetta was full of daytrippers in the day but other parts of the island were pleasant. Then in the evening the whole island is just lovely. We did several hikes most were not too strenous tho two that went down and then back up were pretty demanding to me, and I walk 3 miles several days a week. Maybe stay two places (one being Capri) in the Amalfi coast area. Last two times I was in CT it was packed! maybe stay nearby in Rapallo or SML. Lake Como is on my list for "next time". Have a wonderful anniversary trip!

suec1,

You state "Last two times I was in CT it was packed! maybe stay nearby in Rapallo or SML." What does CT and SML stand for? Are these towns all on Capri?

PalenQ,
We are hoping to travel in June.

Thanks for your help.

Amy

CT = Cinque Terre

SML Santa margarita ligure - fine fishing port town near CT - good base alternative to heavily touristed towns on nearby CT

June is not peak period - crowds will be there but not as overwhelming as july and august.

Amalfi in June - Capri, etc. to me would just be super. earlier in june the better however.

Rapallo and SML are on the coast near CT - maybe a place to base and then take train or boat to the CT. SML stands for....oh my, not sure about the spelling! Santa Margherita Ligure maybe. I think that really the Amalfi coast, at least Sorrento, Positano and Capri grew as upscale tourist destiantions. The CT was just a simple coastal area that was discovered not too long ago (by Rick Steve's? and fans)and gets overwhelmed by the number of visitors going there these days.

CT, erroneously at times said to be discovered by one Richard Steves, has been a thriving Italian resort from before Steves was born.

Steves did help spur the influx of Americans who had never heard of this gem, probably much to lament of Italians who had come here for ages.

Amy,

Just a thought - have you considered the Dolomiti? Awesome scenery, shouldn't be to crowded, nice summer temps, great hiking.....

Where is that? Thanks

Amy

As someone who has just returned from Lake Como, I can give it a great recommendation. We stayed in Varenna, here are some photos I posted taken from our hotel. Beautiful area, lots of hikes (including to a local castle) and quick ferries to other beautiful towns (such as Belaggio & Mellagio).

I can't comment on the other locations but for a peaceful & quiet town, Varenna would be hard to beat.

http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c6...t=2e03c00e.pbw

Amy - I'm from Atlanta, too! We went to Italy last summer and we thought Lake Como was the most beautiful place we'd ever seen. We loved taking the ferry across the lake from town to town--for dinner in the evenings or a villa tour. And if you're like us, after living in Atlanta, we don't think some places are too crowded that other people might consider crowded. Varenna is quiet, but a bit too much so for us. We had a lovely dinner with an unforgettable view there at the Albergo Milano. We stayed at the Hotel Belvedere in Bellagio, which had a pool. That was a nice option for relaxing and a bit up the hill from the noise of town. We regretted not having longer time in the area so that we could drive to Lugano in Switzerland. There is some nice shopping in Bellagio, too. Don't even think about Lake Garda - now that's crowded.

we spent a special anniversary on the amalfi coast - specifically capri for 4 days, then positano... heavenly - we went early oct - i would suggest early june or sept for warmer beachier weather - we stayed at hotel punta tragara in capri - had fabulous meals in capri too, then in positano we stayed at le sirenuse - and even if you dont stay there we recommend the restaurant there. very romantic - lit ONLY by candles - hundreds of votives as chandeliers and sconces and on tables.. it is a very unique and beautiful spot - we were so fascinated that we went late afternoon to watch a young fellow lighting each one of them...

Amy,

The Dolomites are the Italian Aps. I love mountains and these are some of the most awe inspiring I've ever seen. It's one of the places I would want to be in Italy in the summer.

Try googling some of the town names and see how it looks! Cortina d'Ampezzo, Corvara, Ortisei, Val Gardena, Alpi d'Suise (SP?).

It would be a nice combo for a week with Lake Como!

We had a wonderful 4-day holiday in Ravello (Amalfi Coast)this spring - it certainly satisfies most of your criteria for gorgeous views, hiking, food etc. I dont think it ever gets as crowded up there as down on the coast (though you can go down of course). Maybe for half of your week.

jjkbrook:
Where in Ravello did you stay?

WG,
Would you suggest that split of 4 days in Positano and 2 in Capri? Le Sirenuse looks like an amazing hotel. Are there any other hotels that you can recommend? Any places you went on your trip that you suggest we go? Thank you.
Amy

We'll be staying at the Villa Flavio Gioia in Positano in about 3 weeks. It's not far from the beach - right next to the church.

Hi A,

>Would you suggest that split of 4 days in Positano and 2 in Capri? <

I would.

Fly into Naples. There is bus service from NAP to Sorrento, from which you can take a SITA bus to Positano.

For a special event, you might want to splurge and hire a limo - about 110E.

You might find the Naples/AC part of my trip report helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Ira’s Italy Photos
Praiano http://tinyurl.com/ygbows
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=11knfe8...0&y=1tkcm7

Positano
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=11knfe8...1&y=x6te72

Naples
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=11knfe8...&y=-28lwh4

Enjoy your visit.

((I))

Ira,

Thank you for your advice. I enjoyed reading about your trip.

Amy

we stayed abit longer in capri - hiked/walked much of the island - its pretty lush with wild flowers hanging over mysterious stone gates (no doubt leading to lovely villas) -its very nice and you get a better non touristy flavor if you stay longer and wander more. there are many beautiful hotels there - ours- punta tragara overlooking the faraglioni, hotel scalinitella, grand hotel quisisana, and villa brunella. i just read about a new place JK Place hotel(?) highly rated. we had wonderful meals there -at villa brunella for one, and in a lemon grove at da paolina... excellent! as far as positano goes- have drinks or stay at san pietro - another beautiful hotel.

awesome Lake Como trip report:

http://www.travelswithdiane.homestea...5LakeComo.html

We've been to Amalfi and Lake Como. My vote goes to Lake Como for the beautiful views and food. Thought it was more relaxing than Amalfi coast.

One advantage of Lake Como is the hiking - it is, after all, in the Alps. There are nice walks from various lakeside towns. From Lecco you can take the cable car up the Resegone and then hike to that peak. There's the Sentiero del Viandante above Varenna... and so on.

best regards,
Deirdré Straughan

living & travelling in Italy:
www.beginningwithi.com

bookmarking

I haven't been to the other two, but Lake Como was very relaxing in May. I was surprised at the lack of tourists. Taking the ferry across the lake to the towns and just wandering the alleys was really nice.

Have been to SML, CT, Lake Como and Bellagio. While the views are great at Lake Como, I did not think the food was very good. Bellagio, where we stayed is cowded but Varenna, which is recommende highly by many on thei website appeared dead and too isolted for my tastes.

The CT is great for a visit but again very one dimenisionl (the views)

SMLis very nice but again the food was only OK and it was less interesting than we wanted.

Amalfi Coast 9 we stayed in Positano) was beautiful, good food and many interesting sites and town sin the area (Pompeii, Ravello, Capri, Sorrento, Naples, Paestum) I would absolutely recommned this area even during the height of the season when we went.

To the OP: did you decide where to go? If you haven't yet, I vote for the Amalfi Coast. There is so much to see and do there, and you can visit all the towns (Sorrento, Amalfi, Ravello, plus Pompeii). I'd spend 4 nights in Positano (Hotel Poseidon is a nice choice) and 2 nights in Capri. Good sightseeing, unbelievable views, fantastic food.

I will be in Varese on Saturday for the week... I have Sunday to myself. last year I took the bus to Como (it was long but nice to go through the cities)- is it worth going to Como on Sunday? Are there shops, restaurants or tours open? I only had an hour to walk around last year and I would like to spend more time there. Thanks for the advice.