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Need advice about my 12-night Italian trip from Modena towards the Amalfi

Need advice about my 12-night Italian trip from Modena towards the Amalfi

Old Feb 9th, 2010, 11:29 AM
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Need advice about my 12-night Italian trip from Modena towards the Amalfi

Hello! I'm needing a little help with my Italian trip. We (my SO and I) have not decided how long to spend in Italy, but we're thinking 10-12 nights would suffice.

We'll be travelling from Switzerland into Italy, and will bypass Milan and Venice since we've been there previously. So day 1 will tentatively start after we've travelled past Milan. (We're doing the entire trip by rail, followed by a flight from Rome back to Brussels)

I'll list my tentative itinerary together with my questions/queries right below each description -
Day 1: Head towards Modena/Maranello (for the Ferrari museum,etc)
--> Should we spend the night in Modena or Bologna OR head all the way to Florence? This is assuming that we spend the night/early morning travelling from Switzerland towards Milan
Day 2: Florence
Day 3: Florence
--> I previously spent 3 nights in Florence, and have basically explored a number of places (ie, the key touristy sights), missing only the Boboli Gardens. Other than the Boboli Gardens which I plan to visit, what other attractions to visit?
--> Alternatively, I would like to visit another Tuscan town as a daytrip; other than Siena, other recommendations? We're both fit and in our early 20s, so cycling and hiking etc are of no problems. Only issue is that we'll be using public transport!
Day 4: Head towards Rome in the morning
Day 5: Rome
--> Again, I've previously spent 5 days in Rome, so this time I'll just fill in the gaps for the unvisited places. Here is where the issues arise
Day 6: Travel towards Naples
--> I definitely want to visit Pompeii or Ercolano (hopefully both) - should I do Pompeii on the way down to Naples or on the way back to Rome? I will have luggage issues for either way. Is there any place in Pompeii (the train station perhaps?) for me to leave our luggage? We will be travelling with just a backpack each and one duffel to share among two of us. The alternative would be to do it as a daytrip from my base in the Amalfi Coast (tentatively Positano), but I was thinking it would be a waste of time - any comments? How long does it take from Positano-Pompeii?
--> Also, if say I start my day early at 8am to visit Pompeii, will I be able to visit Ercolano or does Pompeii warrant a whole day itself? I'm really interested in seeing the ruins, but am torn between the two.
Day 7: Depending on the above, might spend the day in Naples and the night in Positano
Day 8: Will stay in Positano for the remaining 3 nights, with visits to Sorrento, Amalfi and Ravello.
--> Another question, my SO and I are on a tight budget, so is Positano the right choice in terms of cost? I'm hoping to get something nice (hopefully with a sea view although I guess it's a long shot) for under 100 euros for both of us. Alternatively, both of us are youths under 25 years of age, so we will qualify for the youth hostels. Anyone who has stayed in the youth hostels around the Amalfi area before?
--> Does it make more sense for me to base in Positano with trips to the above areas, or should i spend 2 nights in Positano, followed by another 2 nights in Amalfi (or another place)?
Final day: Travel back to Campiano to catch our flight! (time/date unconfirmed)

Additionally
- I was thinking of visiting Ravello to see the grottoes, but I know that Amalfi has the Emerald Grotto as well – which would be a better ‘see’ in your opinion?
- I was thinking of taking a mini hike on the "Walk of Gods", but I'm hoping to do a downhill or milder hike. Most of the information I see state the starting point as Bomerano moving towards Positano; but since I will most likely be located in Positano, will be the more logical method be for me to take a bus out to Praiano and hike back towards Positano in the evening? Is the walk treacherous to attempt in the evening?

Basically, I'm open to ideas as to where to base myself, but I decided on Positano based on the forum posts recommending it for its picturesqueness - my only worry is whether it'll be considerably more pricey than other locations. Sorry for the huge number of questions, but I hope I'm as detailed as possible to garner better advice

Additional info about us:
- Both in early 20s, fit, most likely will be travelling with an Interrail
- Interests: mainly to see historical sites, architecture and nature (i love the scottish wilderness)
- I've been stuck on visiting Amalfi ever since I caught a glimpse of some pictures of Positano (the houses perched on the cliff etc), so this trip will act as an appetizer for future trips to the Amalfi Coast (I hope!)
- Will be heading towards Italy either in the last few days of May or the first week of June
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 11:39 AM
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Hi there,

I am staying in Positano in June at Albergo California, which is a bit higher than what you are looking for, but seems very nice and I feel it's pretty reasonable: http://www.hotelcaliforniapositano.it/uk/index_uk.htm

However, I wanted to mention another place that I had looked at, in Sorrento, which fits into your price range: http://www.casastarita.com/en/rates.html

Just another option!

Candi
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 12:41 PM
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Lake_Como_Expert: my main aim for this trip is to revisit Florence and Rome, as well as experience Amalfi, so Lake Como will have to wait for another trip! In any case, I'v spent a considerable amount of time in the area around the Rhine and Lake Geneva, so I've had enough lakes for the mean time.

CandiLea: thank you for the heads up! Do you know if the Casa Astarita looks out to the sea? I couldnt find the information on the site
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 12:45 PM
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Pompeii has free luggage storage at the entrance, but if you are also planning to visit Herculaneum (didn't quite understand your Ercolano reference) then you will probably need to store your luggage at the train station in Naples as Herculaneum doesn't have any luggage storage and backtrack.

For Naples:
http://www.grandistazioni.it/cms/v/i...003f16f90aRCRD

You may want to get the Campania Artecard Tutta La Regione 3 days when you arrive Naples. It gives you two free admissions to sites, discounts at others and 3 days transport pass which you can use from Naples all the way to Positano (includes metro/tram/bus in Naples, Circumvesuviana train between Naples/Sorrento, Sita buses on the coast). Other Campania Artecards are available, but don't include transportation.
http://www.artecard.it/
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 12:53 PM
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kybourbon, thanks for the heads up on the Artecard! I didn't knw about that! For Pompei, is the storage you're referring to Porta Marina - Piazza Anfiteatro?

hmm, Ercolano apparently is the modern Italian name for Herculaneum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum) at least that's what I got from wiki.

Another question though, do you think it makes more sense for me to visit Pompeii from Rome towards Naples, or as a day trip from my base, or on the way back towards Rome? Or will all 3 work equally well? I hope to save time/money if possible!
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 01:03 PM
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Hello,

I went back and read some reviews, on Trip Advisor mostly but also here http://tinyurl.com/ylau8kv and nobody really mentions any nice sea view, so it seems like maybe not...sorry! A couple people on the board here have stayed there, so maybe they will chime in.

Candi
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 02:00 PM
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We stayed at the Hotel California two summers ago, thought it excellent for the money - the views were incredible, the staff very helpful, would go back there if we could.
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 03:38 PM
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Ercolano v. Herculaneum. Yes, Ercolano is the Italian name for Herculaneum (the Latin name). There is no Herculaneum stop on the Circumvesuviana. Look for Ercolano Scavi.
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Old Feb 9th, 2010, 09:40 PM
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thanks guys, i need help answering this question now:
--> Does it make more sense for me to base in Positano with trips to the above areas, or should i spend 2 nights in Positano, followed by another 2 nights in Amalfi (or another place)?
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Old Feb 10th, 2010, 06:14 AM
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>>>is the storage you're referring to Porta Marina
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Old Feb 10th, 2010, 06:21 AM
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FYI - Porta Marina and Piazza Anfiteatro are separate entrances. Porta Marina has the most facilities (audio guides, atm's, book shop, etc.) but both list left luggage facilities on my Pompeii map (the one they give you at the entrance) although it's possible my map could be out of date. Piazza Anfiteatro only lists tickets, wc and left luggage.
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Old Feb 10th, 2010, 06:42 AM
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Thanks kybourbon! I'm currently looking at Sorrento as an alternative because it seems that Sorrento has cheaper accommodation. I'm still pretty keen on staying in Positano for a night though - but does it make sense for me to split my 4 night trip to SOrrento and Positano? I'll be in Naples probably 31 may or 1st week of June
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Old Feb 10th, 2010, 07:02 AM
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Hotels are much cheaper in Sorrento, but many people don't like the town as much although it's a great transportation hub for the coast. I've stayed a few times in the hills above Sorrento. The hotel has a free shuttle to town/train station (about 10 minutes travel), wifi, laundry, great views, great breakfast and is quiet. They are in your price range.
http://www.ilnido.it/

Many of the hotels actually in Sorrento won't have views as it's more flat than towns like Positano and views are blocked by other hotels. This hotel is in Sorrento, but doesn't have views and is about the same price as Il Nido.
http://www.sorrentohotelmignon.com/
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Old Feb 10th, 2010, 07:23 AM
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thanks for the advice! i was considering these places as well:
http://www.casamazzola.it
http://www.villamonicasorrento.com

Another question about Il Nido - by great views you mean sea view yes?
And how much do we have to pay for the laundry services?
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Old Feb 10th, 2010, 08:56 AM
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Neither of the hotels you listed are in Sorrento (one isn't even close) at all and they don't have transportation although both offer to pick you up on arrival (many hotels offer pickup on arrival, but not other transport). You would have to rent a car to stay at either as they are too far from anything to walk anywhere and don't appear to be on main transport lines.

Il Nido - Yes, sea views, views of Vesuvius, views of Capri (although Capri is not as good a view as Vesuvius). You don't even need a room with a view as you have sea views from the restaurant or you can eat breakfast on the restaurant balcony. The restaurant has one wall of glass doors that open on to the balcony so you pretty much have sea views from anywhere in the restaurant which is where breakfast is served.
http://www.ilnido.it/en/hotel-restaurant-sorrento.html

I didn't use the laundry, but a couple from Australia that were traveling for six weeks told me they did or else I wouldn't even have known it existed. It's coin operated DIY.

>>Laundry service
Down the stairs of the Hotel, at your disposition, is a laundry room, with coin operated machines for both washing and drying and ironing facilities.
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