Naples and the Amalfi Coast
 

Hi! My name is Joedy and I live in Naples. I have been here for a month and really love it. I am stationed here in the US Navy and will be here for at least 2 years. If anyone has any questions about the area I would be glad to help out in any way that I can. I am trying to gather as much info as possible so that when my family and friends come and visit I will be sure to have covered all the bases. I also work in an office with Italian Nationals and have some very knowledgeable Neapolitan freinds (one is a tour guide, one teaches and Intercultural relations Course for Americans, and one is a University student.) So, if there is a particular hotel that you want me to check out or a restaurant that you heard of please feel free to ask. I go downtown, on a tour, or to a site at least once or twice a week, so I won't be going out of my way! Ciao and see you in Bella Napoli!! <BR>Joedy

We will be in Amalfi in two weeks. What is the weather like? We'll be staying in sorrento..any suggestions on restaurants? <BR>Thanks, Jody

Joedy, what a great resource! Thanks for volunteering! You may regret it if you're inundated with requests, like this one. Can you tell me the difference between the Naples train stations Stazione Centrale and Pza Garibaldi? From my less-than-optimal map, they appear to be at the same place, but the fs-on-line train schedules have separate listings for these two stations.

we are planning a vacation in mid/late march. what's the weather like then? we're hoping for lots of warmth and sun. when would you say would be the best time to come for weather like that? <BR>

Hi everyone! <BR>OK...here are the answers to your questions: <BR>Right now the weather is still a little chilly here...it's like 50-60 degrees. Today was a beautiful day, but I think it is suppossed to rain tomorrow. I went to a marvelous restaurant in Sorrento a couple of weeks ago, but I forgot the name. I will find out and send it to you. If you are locked in to your plans do not worry! Even though you may not get to enjoy the water, there is still plenty of wonderful shopping and beautiful panoramas in Sorrento. However...if water is still what you are looking for, the "Terme di Agnano is an Ancient Roman Naturally Hot Spa that is still in operation today (and year round). The facilities include thermal baths,mud baths, saunas, massage and a lot of other stuff. A real slice of heaven! You can also take a quick train to the ruins of Pompeii, which is one of the absolute MUST SEE items in the area. Naples is only a quick train away. The Palazzo Reale, Piazza Plebescito, Castel Nuovo, Castel D'Uovo, market in Vomero, Teatro San Carlo (if you give me the dates you will be here I will tell you what is playing..or you can check their website which (ithink) is: <BR>www.teatrosancarlo.it ) <BR>the cathedral Duomo and the many wonderful restaurants in the area will keep you busy. <BR>Next question!WH!! You are correct! The naples train station is called the Stazione Central and it is located AT Piazza Garibaldi, so they are essentially the same place. From there you can catch the metros, light rails, and cross country trains...as well as a majority of the bus fleet and cabs. If you get a chance, pick up a copy of the tourist publication called "Qui Napoli". It should be available at any travel agency in the train station. It has a listing of tours, times, and bus trips to some of the outlying areas. The station is separated by floors. On the bottom floor you catch the metros, middle is the light rail(s), and ground floor is the cross country train. So, it is essentially 3 stations in one. The area outsaide can be a bit "shady" at night, but what subway station in ANy city is not (except maybe WashDC!) <BR>Ok now for Gloria!The best time for warm sunny weather (I am told by the Italians) is June. I have only been here a month, so I cannot say from experience yet. However, as I mentioned before there is still plenty to do and one of the Italian ladies that I work with told me that March is her favorite month here because it is sunny and not too hot. <BR>All you should feel free to email me at the address above if you need any other info! <BR>Joedy <BR> <BR>

Joedy, <BR> <BR>Please see my reply on the string Naples Train Stations, if you haven't already. Trust me, I'm blushing. <BR> <BR>Also, thanks for the helpful train station information.

Joedy, <BR>Do you know of any major car rental agencies at the Naples train station? We will be arriving by train, and would like to rent a car and drive down to Postiano. If not Naples, we could take the train down to Sorrento and then rent a car. <BR>Thanks!

My wife and I are flying into Naples on a Monday evening and want to rent a car and stay somewhere close to Pompei so we can get up Tuesday morning, see the ruins for a half day, then drive to our hotel in Positano. We have heard Pompei itself is not a good place to stay but are thinking maybe of Tore Del Greco or Tore Annunziata. Any ideas of places to stay or any other suggestions?

Joedy, <BR> <BR>Great suggestion !! <BR> <BR>My question: <BR>(1) How far apart is Naples train station and the airport ? And if far - hows the best way to get to the airport? <BR> <BR>(2) What is there to do and see in Naples? Also - how much is the train fare from Naples to Sorrento?

Hi Joedy, <BR>I don't have any specific questions yet, but am sure I will find out lots of info on Naples and the Amalfi Coast from you and this site before my fiance and I travel there this July for our honeymoon. We'll be spending our last four nights in Italy--in Positano. We're staying at the Villa Franca, which I think has had good reports. If you happen to see it, let me know....otherwise, I'll be reading all your replies to all the posts here. Good luck in Naples!

Hi Joedy, <BR>My husband and I have been to Naples and surronding area many times over the years. Now that we are retiring we would like to do a house exchange for a couple of weeks in the Sorrento area, or else where in Italy. If you have anyone wanting to visit the desert in Palm Springs, california, maybe you could put us in touch and we could take it from that point. <BR>We have a 3 bedroom home in a gated community,with pool etc. <BR>Thanks in advance, <BR>Toni

Check out worldclimate.com. Enter Napoli for your search.

Gloria, The last post is for you.

Thanks to Joedy and all for exchanging info. I am now planning with my husband - no drivers - to try Naples and Pompeii for a day, then Amalfi Coast. for 3 days, in mid April. Is it feasible to do this without ones own car? Should I join a tour bus? Take local buses? Should I base myself in one place, e.g., Ravello, Positano, Amalfi, or Sorrento, and take local bus or taxi from there? <BR>Does anyone have contact details and ideas of costs for 2-3 star hotels which will be US$100 or less since this is low season? <BR>

Hi everyone. it is friday afternoon and I just wanted to let you all know that I have printed your questions and will research them while I am out enjoying this marvelous city. I will try to post a detailed reply tomorrow! Ciao!

This isn't joedy, but I can tell you to avoid Torre Del Greco. Been there -- won't go there again.

isabel: <BR>my advice is to avail yourself of sita busses which ply the coast highway between sorrento and salerno (usually with a change in amalfi). the coast road is slow and scary. the busses run often and are cheap and dependable. by all means look at hotel onda verde on the web. stayed there last year. right on the water and not expensive.

Dale, <BR>I looked at the hotel in Praino that you <BR>recommended and it looks great but I am worried that getting there will be a hassle for us (we are not going to have <BR>a car while in Italy). Do you think, getting a hotel in Positano or Amalfi would make it easier for us?

hi iam going to amaifia and postiano in April I will be Rome first. We are stying atthe Hotel Santa Canterina in Amiafia and the Le Sirenuse in Postiano. Any suggestions in the best why to get to the coast from Rome Whighlighs should we see in both towns?

Carol, how are you planning to get to <BR>Positano from Amalfi. We were thinking <BR>of going to those places for our honeymoon but we won't have a car. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>igor.

igor: <BR>tell the sita bus driver that you wish to get off at hotel onda verde. it is a well known stop. priano is relatively remote so you need to go to amalfi or positano for nite life, etc. buon viaggio.

Hi, Notjoedy: I went to Torre del Greco about 12 years ago - my mother was born there. She is now 80 and we are taking her back to visit again. We are not staying there, just a day trip to see her home and drive around a bit. When we were there 12 years ago, it was very crowded and very old of course, but didn't seem too bad. The people we met were very helpful and eager to help us locate my mother's home. I know it is not a vacation destination, not a very attractive place, and that it now has a bad reputation (my mother gets very upset about this), but what was it that bothered you the most about the town? <BR>

dale, <BR>do you think it would make sense for us <BR>to spend a few days at Positano and then <BR>another couple of days at Amalfi or those towns are very much alike? If they are alike, then we'd probably better off just staying in one of them and taking day trips. <BR> <BR>THanks, <BR>Igor.

This message is for those of you thinking of renting a car Naples, Pompeii, or Sorrento----Do not think of renting a car. Public transport is so very convenient. From Naples train station you can take the circumvansuviano to Pompeii in 30 mins and cost under 2.00us, to Sorrento about 1 hour. Stay in Sorrento take the sita bus to Positano or Amalfi. It is cheap and you can enjoy the scenery. Your hotel receptionist will help you with the bus schedule. Also the local folks are very helpful. Take a boat trip over to Capri from Sorrento for the day. You will have a good time.We just came back in the middle of Feb. There are not many tourist now and it is WONDERFUL!! Be very careful in Naples.

<BR>Where are some decent hostels there, if there are any? I'll be there for a few days, what do you think are the must-see sights? <BR>Thanks

Hi Joedy and/or any other Naples-saavy people. <BR> <BR>My wife and I will be traveling by train from Rome to Naples where we plan to catch the hydrofoil to Capri. Per another posting on another topic, an individual mentioned that the Napoli Mergellina train station is near the ferry dock. From our less-than-efficient map of Naples, we don't see that station. Is that info correct? If so, can we go from Rome to that station? Or, if not, how would we best get from Stazione Centrale to the hydrofoil dock and, by the way, where is that located? We would like to make our train and hydrofoil reservations before we leave the states. Can you provide info on the hydrofoil? We can't find any info on the Web regarding these questions. <BR> <BR>Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. - Grazie

To Gary: <BR>Try these web sites for information on the hydofoils from Mergellina: "www.ondaverde.it/orari_traghettii.htm" and "www.thenet.it/snav/aliscafi/eng.htm" The Mergellina train station is about 500 yards inland from the Mergellina port, a short walk unless you have luggage. There are direct trains from Rome to Mergellina although they are not quite as frequent as to the main Naples station. Check train schedules from Roma to Mergellina at "www.fs-on-line.com" Good luck.

We are going to the Amalfi coast in May and will be renting a car as we plan to drive all over southern Italy. Is there a way to drive around the areas of Sorrento,Positano, Amalfi, Salerno without using the coast road?

Dear Bob, <BR> <BR>Thank you for your fast response to my posting. And, thanks so much for all of the great information about the train and hydrofoil, etc. Now we can complete our plans. <BR> <BR>Gary

igor: <BR>i thought amalfi and positano quite similar, both memorable, romantic. they are about ten or so miles apart (probably 30 minutes by sita bus). priano is midway. buon viaggio.

I drove to Sorrento from Naples last night at 6 PM and it only took one hour including the construction that made a road one-lane for half a mile or so. When I returned it was only 40 minutes. <BR> <BR>I am telling you this simply to show you how do-able a day trip to Sorrento is, whether you drive or take the train. <BR> <BR>I will not drive the Amalfi coast all the way to Amalfi - I'm taking a van trip along it this weekend - because you simply can't look and drive at the same time. I hope the weather remains glorious (mid 60's and sunny) but I'll even go in the rain! <BR> <BR>If you happen to run across the Osteria Gatto Nero (Black Cat) one block from Piazza Tasso in Sorrento, go for it! Wine and two courses each came to only 100,000L (about $50) for three of us! <BR> <BR>Incidentally, I have not had any trouble driving here - just stay out of the left lane (as you should everywhere) if you're not passing!

Can you reccomend a great hotel in Naples for my trip in May. Somesher between 200 and 450,000 lire per night. Also Positano can you suggest the best hotels to saty in May. What about Poseidon or Villa La Franca? Any Good?

Hi everyone....I am back. I have been having trouble accessing this website at times...is anyone else having such problems? Hey Chief! I am glad you had a good time in Sorrento! Well...I will try to answer nore questions after work today. I am thinking about going to Vienna for the weekend, so if you do not hear from me for a couple of days...that is why! I had a marvelous weekend this past one! I went to an Italian masquerade party and night clubbing til dawn afterwards! We ate at a great reastaurant in Baia called Pizza Web Downtown. We also ate a a great restaurant in Pozzuoli, but I was too hungover to remember the name. I will post some pics on my Yahoo website so you all can see! Ciao! joedy

If you have a pressing matter or need to know something right away, I am much more responsive to emails sent to my address above (that way I know you are serious too!) <BR> <BR>Joedy

Hi Joedy, <BR> This is so wonderful of you to offer all kinds of info! I'll looking for a hotel in sorrento for early May. I've seen a lot of listings and wondered if you've heard of or seen these places. I've read some good reviews on the Hotel La Tonnarella but wonder how far out of town it is. How far is is from the train station - could we easily walk from the hotel to the downtown area? Do you know anything about the Hotel Loreley as far as location and recommendations as well as the Hotel Minerva. Thanks soooo much! Sandy <BR> <BR>

Hi Sandy and everybody else! <BR>I am going on a spur of the moment trip to Vienna this weekend to celebrate Presidents' Day. I will look into Sorrento as soon as I recover (financially) and can get there. I will definitely be there next month because my cousin and her fiance are spending their honeymoon here and I will be their guide. Ciao for now! <BR>Joedy

Joedy,
How nice of you to volunteer! I know you will enjoy your time in Naples. If you are still there, who is in ICR whom you know?
And do you know (or can you find out) when will Club Africana reopen on the Amalfi Coast since the owner has died?

Having recently returned from Italy, with 2 nights in Naples, anyone renting a car and driving in Naples is in for a real shock. It is sooooo dangerous. They drive like madmen and make the French in Paris seem like tame pussycats by comparison. We met tourists who had rented cars in Rome, drove to Naples, and had planned to keep the car longer but then turned the cars in early in Naples and resorted to trains and buses. To each his own but just be prepared for demolition derby. It is not for the timid.

capri, for us it was the scooters/cycles that were the most unnerving while driving. We drove the Amalfi Coast and it wasn't the cliff roads but the unpredictable cycles winding in and out of the traffic on either your left or your right. It's hard to drive defensively when you are being bombarded ;;) Deborah

This is a very old, resurrected post from 2001. In agreement with the last poster re: car rental in Naples. It really is not necessary, the public transportation (Metropolitana, Circumvesuviana, busses/trams, etc) more than suffice for getting around hectic, madcap Napoli. I never rent a car when in Italy and use the public transport as the Italians do -- it is cheap, efficient, and no headaches (or car accidents!)