We are on a cruise in Oct 2008 and stop in Naples. Would like to know how twisty and winding the road is along the Amalfi Coast. One in our party is not real good on extremely twisting roads.

Thanks
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The road is <i>very</i> twisty and winding. I'm prone to motion sickness in cars, and it's one road I tossed my cookies on. (Sooo embarrassing!)

Should mention, also not good for those who are afraid of heights.

I agree: the road is very twisting and winding. I also had rather bad motion sickness, as did DD, on a different trip.

If one does get sick in cars and busses, this isn't the greatest place to go. I had taken motion sickness medication before two car trips, and a bus trip, on the AC, but was still very sick.

I found that the boat rides, both along the coast, and to Capri, did not bother me, with a little motion sickness medication. But the car and bus just made me sooo sick.

Why doesn't that one member of your party join a tour or excursion to another attraction? Naples, though not my favorite place I've ever visited, has amazing museums and churches. Or is there an excursion to Pompeii?

I don't get motion sickness ever, but I do get scared, and this is a scary road. I have to do it with my eyes closed and fists clenched and holding my breath.

We had a driver take us from Naples to Ravello by Positano and it is very curvey and narrow. If you are in Naples, I would not miss Pompeii. This is a must see but make sure you pay a guide for it is well worth it.

I don't get motion sickness and usually like to drive (it's a control thing) but I have to say that it made me crazy that someone else was driving and I was glad someone else was driving. That twisty.

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsv7rMEJx3M

Great video.
As soon as we were on the road, I knew it was a mistake for me. I promised God if he let me live through it once, I wouldn't drive anywhere on the AC again and I am keeping that promise. It is beautiful though for those whose nerves are better than mine.

Just as beautiful by boat and no problems.

HI K,

My Lady Wife has trouble with twisty, windy roads that have a steep drop.

She will not go on the part of the AC road West of Positano again.

This is a point of view question. I've driven the AC road in both directions easily a half dozen times and always thought it fun. The last time was in a Smart forFour with DW and 2 friends. Lots of rowing of the gears and spectacular views. I wouldn't do it though in the heavy tourist season though just because of the traffic.

The road is twisty etc and I suggest no first time traveler to this area rent a car to drive. Check it out first, then decide if you want to drive. Hiring a car or going by bus is, in my opinion, the best way for a tourist to see the Amalfi Coast. BTW, the ride is much better Sorrento to Amalfi, sit on right side of bus, rather than Amalfi to Sorrento. This has to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Be careful.

This stretch of road is no more &quot;twisty and winding&quot; than dozens of other rural, mountainous or coastal roads all over Europe.

&gt;&gt; This has to be one of the most dangerous roads in the world. &lt;&lt;

Nonsense! Vehicles travel at a very moderate (and safe) speed and there are few opportunities for passing a slower car on this Amalfi Coast drive. Thus the flow is determined by the pace of the slowest vehicle ahead.

A &quot;dangerous&quot; road would be one where there is high speed and reckless driving and there are dozens of those (elsewhere) all over Europe.

TuckH - I completely agree. I would not call the AC road particularly dangerous either for the reasons you mention. However, if you are renting a standard shift car and are not fully comfortable with shifting and starting on a hill, the AC is no place to learn.

All of the above is true whats real fun is to be on a bus when it locks mirrors with another bus and due to traffic neither can back up. What a great comic skit it would have made.
In the end someone came forward with a screw driver and removed both mirrors. cars backup just enough for some wiggle room and on everyone went.

I am afraid of heights and do not have a problem with the AC. BUT I must say, I don't think it is good for a driver who is not used to driving in Italy or Europe. I would hire a driver. We are used to driving in Italy and tiny curvy roads, but each time we go to AC we hire a driver......he can deal with the roads and finding parking and we can enjoy the view.

One point I have to make is that everytime the driver turns the wheel to the right, he immediately turns it to the left and again immediately to the right.....all the way along.

I agree Ann. For sure the driver will not be &quot;sight&quot; seeing.

This is not the first time I have been accused of being too cautious!

Nevertheless, it is bad advice to tell someone who has never been there that driving it is not &quot;dangerous&quot; and it can be done. It is simply bad advice. especially when there are buses, boats, and trains that go to the same places.

BTW, Tuck and Basing Stroke, I lived in Naples for some time and tourists are killed on AC... more so than say the hills of Tuscany and Umbria, dangerous or not.

I also agree Ann. Whoever that is driving, for sure will not be sight seeing.

Definitely do get a car rented.I have been on two occasions and did really had a good time.

View this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tsv7rMEJx3M

Perhaps Kitti0005 will come back to clarify authoritatively, but I think the issue may be nausea, not driving or fear.

If it is nausea, being a passenger in a car driven by an Italian accustomed to driving along the Amalfi is not advisable. I'd rather be driving myself than be a passenger in a vehicle in the Amalfi. I found a bus trip on that road unsettling to my stomach, and when I let someone else drive me up a back road near Napoli to Ravello, I had to roll down the window to fight off nausea.

Dear Kitti,

I get both motion sickness and am very afraid of heights.

The roads are twisty no doubt.

Last year, my husband convinced me I wanted to go to the Amalfi Coast for our 20th Anniversary in September. I spent two months before worrying about how I would do it. Seriously, I'm terrified of heights. But, I love water views and I just didn't want to be a sissy about this!

We hired a driver in advance and my husband explained my situation. I did surprisingly well. The heights issue was not so bad as there is a stone wall along the edge of the road and of course sometimes you are driving on the inside which isn't scary at all.

We did a few trips - from the airport up to Ravello, from Ravello to Pompeii and back, from Ravello to Amalfi for the ferry to Capri and back, and down to another beach area and back. I would have preferred a bit less driving, but I was fine.

Regarding motion sickness, I did not get sick. The driver was extremely professional and courteous and kept things slow. I made sure I ate before the drive, and I brought some crackers along just in case. (I do better with something in my stomach for nausea.)


I hope this helps.

gruezi