Naples, Sorrento ..... or Positano?
Apr 3rd, 2012, 03:36 PM
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Naples, Sorrento ..... or Positano?
My wife and I want to spend some time in the area of the Amalfi Coast on our trip to Italy in the Fall.
I know Naples is the large city in the area but we originally intended to stay in Sorrento fr easier access to both Naples, the coast and Capri. But we are intrigued by Positano (and even Ravello) because of the scenery and the romantic aspect.
Any feedback on which city would be best? As it would be towards the end of the trip and prior to our finish in Rome, a laid back, romantic week would probably be best.
I know Naples is the large city in the area but we originally intended to stay in Sorrento fr easier access to both Naples, the coast and Capri. But we are intrigued by Positano (and even Ravello) because of the scenery and the romantic aspect.
Any feedback on which city would be best? As it would be towards the end of the trip and prior to our finish in Rome, a laid back, romantic week would probably be best.
Apr 3rd, 2012, 03:41 PM
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Where are you coming from?
Only you know if the time and/or expense of getting to and from Positano will mean it is "laid-back" for you.
Naples is not a laid back place. I wouldn't call Sorrento romantic, but others might.
Only you know if the time and/or expense of getting to and from Positano will mean it is "laid-back" for you.
Naples is not a laid back place. I wouldn't call Sorrento romantic, but others might.
Apr 3rd, 2012, 03:55 PM
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I would definitely pick Positano! It's very picturesque (Naples isn't...) and has a lot of charm. Sorrento is decent, especially if you are wanting to spend time on Capri (which is one of the most gorgeous places I have ever stayed), but Positano is probably just as good as Capri for your purposes, I wish I'd had a chance to stay there instead of just a day trip, but I am very pleased that to have been there, it's very beautiful. The rest of the Almalfi coast looks gorgeous too, so Positano would be a good base
Apr 3rd, 2012, 04:04 PM
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There's a reason that Positano is often voted one of the honeymoon capitals of the world. As long as you're fit enough to climb the steps to and from town, stay there. It's incredibly beautiful and romantic!
Apr 3rd, 2012, 04:19 PM
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Thanks for the feedback!
I guess my concern is: if i stay in Positano, is it difficult to visit Naples, Pompeii and Capri from there? My wife and I are fit and like to walk but we don't want to be scrambling.
So I guess what I should've asked originally: if the itinerary includes Positano, Capri, Naples and Pompeii, where is it better to stay in Sorrento or Positano?
I guess my concern is: if i stay in Positano, is it difficult to visit Naples, Pompeii and Capri from there? My wife and I are fit and like to walk but we don't want to be scrambling.
So I guess what I should've asked originally: if the itinerary includes Positano, Capri, Naples and Pompeii, where is it better to stay in Sorrento or Positano?
Apr 3rd, 2012, 04:30 PM
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I've stayed in Sorrento, loved it, but when we go back (it's been awhile) we'll probably stay either in Positano or Amalfi. For our first time in the area Sorrento work well as we took a day trip to Naples, Capri, Paestum, and each of the Amalfi coast towns. This later part we hired a driver. So I would say its a combination of the amount of time you have, your interests, and what you'd like to cover. If this is your first time I would recommend either the coastal towns or Sorrento, not Naples.
Apr 3rd, 2012, 04:43 PM
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Sorrento is definitely the place to stay for convenient travel to Naples, Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Positano is possibly more romantic and is certainly picturesque. If you don't mind the extra time and effort getting to Naples and Pompeii, choose Positano.
Apr 3rd, 2012, 04:44 PM
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Delvino,
There were a couple typos in the last sentence so I'm not sure what you meant... "If this is your first time I would recommend either the coastal towns or Sorrento, not Naples."
There were a couple typos in the last sentence so I'm not sure what you meant... "If this is your first time I would recommend either the coastal towns or Sorrento, not Naples."
Apr 3rd, 2012, 04:48 PM
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How much extra time are we talking about?
For instance, Google Maps says from Positano to Pompeii or Naples is only eight minutes longer than Sorrento to Pompeii or Naples.
However,there are many factors Google Maps doesn't include and so that may be WAY off.
Also, what are the differences in getting to Capri from Sorrento or Positano?
For instance, Google Maps says from Positano to Pompeii or Naples is only eight minutes longer than Sorrento to Pompeii or Naples.
However,there are many factors Google Maps doesn't include and so that may be WAY off.
Also, what are the differences in getting to Capri from Sorrento or Positano?
Apr 3rd, 2012, 04:59 PM
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It is next to impossible to be a cultural tourist from Positano. I say "next to impossible" because if I said "impossible", your ears would split from all the howling.
I'm not going to disagree with Weadles that there is a reason that Positano is often voted the honeymoon capital of the world , but it may not have much to do with you or wife find romantic, and stop to think for a moment what people have voted for in your lifetime.
What time of year are you going, how much money do you have and how much do you mind swarms of tourists or restaurants with plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling and accordion music?
If you have a bit of money to burn, you can stay in affordable sweet places with lovely views nearer to Salerno, but hire a pricey taxi to take you to Salerno so you can catch the train to Pompei and Naples, or a ferry to Capri or Positano. Then you get a pricey taxi to take you back to your lodgings for dinner.
But if you stay on the cliffs of Positano, you face nauseating, hours-long unromantic bus rides to get to Naples or Pompei.
A lot of people have idea about what a "first-time" visitor should do. Just know that many "first-time" visitors go to Naples and have a blast. If you want a classy hotel in the hills with a view of Vesuvio and Capri, you can get one. You can take the ferry to Capri, you can go to Pompei, you can eat like royalty (try that on the Amalfi coast) and revel in some of the best art in italy. Even if you are "first-time" visitor. You don't have to go to Sorrento Kindergarten.
But Naples is a big roaring city with pollution and poor people. It's not an escape.
I'm not going to disagree with Weadles that there is a reason that Positano is often voted the honeymoon capital of the world , but it may not have much to do with you or wife find romantic, and stop to think for a moment what people have voted for in your lifetime.
What time of year are you going, how much money do you have and how much do you mind swarms of tourists or restaurants with plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling and accordion music?
If you have a bit of money to burn, you can stay in affordable sweet places with lovely views nearer to Salerno, but hire a pricey taxi to take you to Salerno so you can catch the train to Pompei and Naples, or a ferry to Capri or Positano. Then you get a pricey taxi to take you back to your lodgings for dinner.
But if you stay on the cliffs of Positano, you face nauseating, hours-long unromantic bus rides to get to Naples or Pompei.
A lot of people have idea about what a "first-time" visitor should do. Just know that many "first-time" visitors go to Naples and have a blast. If you want a classy hotel in the hills with a view of Vesuvio and Capri, you can get one. You can take the ferry to Capri, you can go to Pompei, you can eat like royalty (try that on the Amalfi coast) and revel in some of the best art in italy. Even if you are "first-time" visitor. You don't have to go to Sorrento Kindergarten.
But Naples is a big roaring city with pollution and poor people. It's not an escape.
Apr 3rd, 2012, 05:13 PM
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You'll have to ask somebody else. Were I to go to Sorrento, it would only to be to hide in the hills among the lemon trees -- which would be quite inconvenient to getting to Napoli and Pompei.
I think there is less sex in Sorrento than Naples. I bet there is less sex in Positano than Naples. But Sorrento has a lot of trains and ferries and .... something. Like I said, its fans will tell you.
I think there is less sex in Sorrento than Naples. I bet there is less sex in Positano than Naples. But Sorrento has a lot of trains and ferries and .... something. Like I said, its fans will tell you.
Apr 3rd, 2012, 05:17 PM
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Also, in answer to your question about how long does it take to get from Positano to Pompei -- a couple of hours, if there is no traffic. Ditto Naples.
From Sorrento, it is about an hour to Naples or Pompei. (But if you aren't staying there, but in Positano, then you need to get a bus or ferry to Sorrento, and that takes a awhile.)
Ferries to Capri leave from everywhere.
If you have money, you can hire drivers. But they are expensive (and can get caught in traffic.)
From Sorrento, it is about an hour to Naples or Pompei. (But if you aren't staying there, but in Positano, then you need to get a bus or ferry to Sorrento, and that takes a awhile.)
Ferries to Capri leave from everywhere.
If you have money, you can hire drivers. But they are expensive (and can get caught in traffic.)
Apr 3rd, 2012, 05:20 PM
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PS:
Here is the kind of place I was talking about nearer to Salerno where you could stay, but hire a driver to take you to Salerno to catch ferries or trains for day tripping. Just showing you, not encouraging you.
http://www.agriturismovillamaria.it/location.aspx
Here is the kind of place I was talking about nearer to Salerno where you could stay, but hire a driver to take you to Salerno to catch ferries or trains for day tripping. Just showing you, not encouraging you.
http://www.agriturismovillamaria.it/location.aspx
Apr 3rd, 2012, 05:20 PM
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Sorrento can be romantic - if you stay in the right place. Yes, it is a larger town than Positano - but that means more shops and restaurants to choose from - as well as being much more convenient for trips to Naples, Capri, and Pompeii. And there are ferries down the coast to the smaller towns - depending on season (early fall is different than late fall).
Apr 3rd, 2012, 07:12 PM
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I've enjoyed all the posts above. To amend what I've said about Positano,, we happen to love the hotel we stay at when we go there ( The Poseidon). It's a refuge with great food from the hectic scene in town and on the beach.
We also often escape to Montepertuso, a small mountain village about 15 min away from Positano. I've had some of the best meals of my life there, and it used to be possible to hike back down to Positano after lunch from a trail in back of the church. Now that's heaven on earth, if you ask me.
Anyway, I can't wait to go back in about a month, but I have to agree that in the summer months, all of these AC towns can often seem overrun with tourists just like us, all of whom go to the same restaurants with the 'plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling.'
Call me crazy, but I still find it mostly romantic.
We also often escape to Montepertuso, a small mountain village about 15 min away from Positano. I've had some of the best meals of my life there, and it used to be possible to hike back down to Positano after lunch from a trail in back of the church. Now that's heaven on earth, if you ask me.
Anyway, I can't wait to go back in about a month, but I have to agree that in the summer months, all of these AC towns can often seem overrun with tourists just like us, all of whom go to the same restaurants with the 'plastic grapes hanging from the ceiling.'
Call me crazy, but I still find it mostly romantic.
Apr 3rd, 2012, 11:23 PM
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If you can follow it, this should give an idea of how long some of the local journeys take by public transport...
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/132567370
... although I've not included the time you can spend waiting for the arrival of the next train or bus (or, indeed, for one that's got sufficient room to allow you to board!).
Many people go for the compromise of splitting their visit, to have a few days at places on each side of the peninsula... Sorrento-side for travel convenience, Amalfi-side for its extraordinary beauty.
If you're uncertain about quite where to stay, there's a useful 'Travel Directory' to the various towns and villages along the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts that can be downloaded from the official tourism website, using...
http://www.costiera.it/images/pdf/Tr...rectory_En.pdf
(But as that's well overdue for an update, do cross-check any times, prices etc - and perhaps ignore all references to the 'Metro del Mare', at least for now!)
Peter
http://www.pbase.com/isolaverde/image/132567370
... although I've not included the time you can spend waiting for the arrival of the next train or bus (or, indeed, for one that's got sufficient room to allow you to board!).
Many people go for the compromise of splitting their visit, to have a few days at places on each side of the peninsula... Sorrento-side for travel convenience, Amalfi-side for its extraordinary beauty.
If you're uncertain about quite where to stay, there's a useful 'Travel Directory' to the various towns and villages along the Sorrento and Amalfi coasts that can be downloaded from the official tourism website, using...
http://www.costiera.it/images/pdf/Tr...rectory_En.pdf
(But as that's well overdue for an update, do cross-check any times, prices etc - and perhaps ignore all references to the 'Metro del Mare', at least for now!)
Peter
