As a family we will plan to spend 3-4 days in Rome and then go to the Amalfi coast. I know that some hotels close for the season beginning in November, so I need help with planning our itinerary. Although we haven't been to Naples before, I would prefer to use the remaining 2 1/2 days of our fall vacation along in the Amalfi coast area. Can you help with suggestions on hotels and also the best, easiest and fastest way to get from Rome to Amalfi area?

Hi Chris. Spending 2 1/2 days in the Amalfi Coast/Sorrentine Peninsula is a wonderful idea, and I'm sure you'll love it. I'm not much help with hotels but it may help others if you could give an idea of what you're looking for in terms of location, price, amenities, view, etc.? <BR> <BR>As for getting from Rome to that area... the easiest (and most expensive) way would probably be by taxi; whether that's also the fastest way, I'm not sure. The least expensive way would probably be the train. If you're going only to the Amalfi Coast -- which is the south side of the Sorrentine peninsula -- I believe you can take a train from Rome to Salerno and then take other transportation, bus or taxi, from Salerno to the town of Amalfi. If you're going to Sorrento -- on the northwest part of the peninsula -- you can take a train from Rome to Naples, and then transfer at the Naples station to the local commuter rail line, the Circumvesuviana. Then, if you're staying in Sorrento, you can take buses (SITA is the name of the company) over to the Amalfi Coast. <BR> <BR>Good luck & hope you have a great time!

Dear Chris, <BR>We also are going to Amalfi in Nov for a friends wedding - staying at the Hotel Cappucino Convento. Was highly recommended and we emailed them and got a gracious response. Hope you find a great spot!

Hi Chris - we just returned from a 16 day trip to Italy, most of which was in Sicily. However, the first 3 days were on the Amalfi coast. We rented a car and drove to our hotel in Praiano - Hotel Onde Verde. It took about 4 hours to reach out hotel from Rome. We loved the hotel and its location. You can check it out on the internet. <BR> <BR>We found driving the Amalfi Coast to be okay. We had read so much about the difficulty of the Amalfi Coast roads that I was practically having nightmares before we arrived. I found the roads to be just fine. You certainly had to be careful on blind turns and other tight spots, but I did not find the roads to be overwhelming or beyond the capability of an average driver. If you are not intimidated by driving in busy city locations, you should do just fine if you decided to drive from Rome. <BR> <BR>Let me know if you would like more information. <BR> <BR>Bob

I take the train from Rome to Naples and then have a driver pick me up at the Naples train station and take me to Positano. You can also hire a driver from Rome. Don't miss Positano and Ravello! I stayed at Le Sirenuse in '98 and Hotel San Pietro in '00 and both are fabulous. Le Sirenuse has added a spa since I stayed there.

Chris: <BR>I think the easiest way to get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome is to train from Rome to Salerno and SITA bus from there, bypassing the hassle of Naples. SITA has dependable schedules and allows you to enjoy the dramatic views without the hassle of a car. By the way, I also recommend Hotel Onda Verde in Priano (about five miles from Amalfi and Positano). Stunning view, good food and great rates. Ciao.

Positano is one our 6 most favorite spots on earth. We stayed at the Covo dei Saraceni which is right on the beach. We had a beachfront room on the second floor so that we could watch the town's activities from our balcony. It's been recently remodeled and is very nice and far less costly than the Sireneuse or San Pietro. We drove down the coast once and found Naples a nightmare to navigate through. The other time we trained from Rome to Naples and then taxied/limoed from Naples to Positano. Latter was more expensive but much more relaxing. Have never taken train to Positano. Sounds like others have provided plenty of advice on that. Enjoy this wonderful area.

May I ask how much it cost for the limo service between Naples and Positano? We are still trying to decide between Sorrento and Positano. Keep in mind that we will be there at the beginning of November, and I know that it won't be "beach" weather plus a lot of places in Positano seem to close around Nov. 1. (San Pietro, for example) If we take the train from Rome to Sorrento (connecting in Naples), how long should that take? Any idea of cost of limo/taxi service between Naples and Sorrento, too?

One other reminder, this is a FAMILY trip (w/ 2 teenagers), so as you recommend hotels, that is a consideration, i.e. not just looking for the romantic weekend for two!

If I had teenagers I would pick a hotel in a lively town...that for me is Sorrento. I have stayed there twice and it is easy to get to Positano, Ravello and Pompeii for instance. We always use public transport...buses to Positano and other places along the coast and train to Pompeii and Herculaneum. We first stayed at the Excelsior Vittoria.. wonderful hotel but very pricy, overlooking the harbour. The second visit we economised and stayed at the Imperial Tramontano,which is a large traditional hotel centrally located. The rooms were good, but we did not rate the food much, but then there are plenty of cheap restaurants in the town. If you want to look at the website of the two hotels to compare look at www.exvitt.it and www.tramontano.com <BR>There are quite a few 3 star hotels but I do not have any personal recommendations to offer. I love the Amalfi coast and I am sure you will enjoy it.

Positano, Positano, Positano!!! <BR> <BR>I just got back on Saturday and would not change a thing about the whole trip. <BR>I think you should train to Naples and hire a driver from Luigi. I do not have his number with me but I can certainly email it to you. His drivers speak good english, are punctual and very friendly. I want to say for my group of seven it was 330.00 roundtrip. <BR> <BR>As for Positano--takes your breath away. <BR>However, the whole area is worth a visit so make a decision based on the needs of your family. <BR> <BR>Happy Trails, <BR>Jessica

Chris - Rome-Sorrento by train takes 3-3.5 hours, depending how long you have to wait for the Circumvesuviana (max.30 mins).

We took a taxi from Naples to Positano (and were very glad we did, when we saw the "bus stops" in Positano--right along the road; can't imagine how folks lug their luggage to the hotels) this summer, and it cost $100. Money well spent. We stayed at the Hotel Villa Rosa, a charming family owned hotel right across the street from the expensive Sirenuse, and with picture postcard views of the sea and mountains. We had a large private terrace with beautiful view, where we were served breakfast each morning. Think the double cost us less than $100 per nite,inc. breakfast. Beautifully appointed; nothing but good words to say about it. Great value for the $$.

Hi, <BR> <BR>Try the Hotel Tramonto D'Oro in Priano. It has fabulous views and in a sweet little town. Have agreat time.