Positano for 4 nights
Apr 6th, 2016, 07:15 PM
#22
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You are certainly correct on thinking that there is NO RIGHT ANSWER about Capri (or anywhere else)!
FWIW, which may be nothing, I'd have given up my boat tour around Capri -- even though it included a PERFECT stop at the Blue Grotto - for my time in Anacapri. Oh, how I loved the Villa San Michele! I'd even have given up my views from the top of the cable car to spend time at the Villa San Michelle, with its views and gardens and treasures. BUT that's just me -- YMMV. I encourage you to look into your options and decide on YOUR priorities.
Again, FWIW, I was glad to have some time on the water. I would give up time for a boat ride around Capri if my time was as limited as yours -- you should, I think, have time for other wonderful views from the ferry to / from Capri -- especially if you start and end in different places along the Amalfi Coast. JMO.
Hope that helps!
FWIW, which may be nothing, I'd have given up my boat tour around Capri -- even though it included a PERFECT stop at the Blue Grotto - for my time in Anacapri. Oh, how I loved the Villa San Michele! I'd even have given up my views from the top of the cable car to spend time at the Villa San Michelle, with its views and gardens and treasures. BUT that's just me -- YMMV. I encourage you to look into your options and decide on YOUR priorities.
Again, FWIW, I was glad to have some time on the water. I would give up time for a boat ride around Capri if my time was as limited as yours -- you should, I think, have time for other wonderful views from the ferry to / from Capri -- especially if you start and end in different places along the Amalfi Coast. JMO.
Hope that helps!
Apr 6th, 2016, 07:32 PM
#23
FYI, Positano Car Service serves the coast and Naples, for that matter -- professional and reliable.
We spent 5-6 day in Ravello 3 weeks ago (then 2 nights in Positano). IMO Ravello is a lovely spot with gorgeous views and a relatively calm environment, in contrast to Amalfi or Positano. Some good restaurants too; unlike the experience quoted above we did just find getting down to Amalfi on the SITA bus, though remember you need tickets in advance etc. I agree taxi or car service better for a group.
I did observe some larger taxis waiting for customers at Ravello and I am sure they seated at least 6. But you could call/ask and they could send the right size to be sure.
We spent 5-6 day in Ravello 3 weeks ago (then 2 nights in Positano). IMO Ravello is a lovely spot with gorgeous views and a relatively calm environment, in contrast to Amalfi or Positano. Some good restaurants too; unlike the experience quoted above we did just find getting down to Amalfi on the SITA bus, though remember you need tickets in advance etc. I agree taxi or car service better for a group.
I did observe some larger taxis waiting for customers at Ravello and I am sure they seated at least 6. But you could call/ask and they could send the right size to be sure.
Apr 6th, 2016, 07:42 PM
#24
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Thanks for your prompt reply. We could take the earliest ferry in mid May to the port on Capri..explore Anacapri and then if we felt the desire and had the time we could take a one hour boat trip around the island prior to ferry back. We would probably start and end in Positano this day trip but plan to take the ferry from Positano to Amalfi another day.....
Apr 6th, 2016, 07:47 PM
#26
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Constantino was also right down the road from us - I wonder if we were in the same apartment! We didn't find the food or atmosphere special at all. We much prefered wandering down by the beach and finding a spot. We often took a taxi home after dinner to avoid the thousands of stairs - it didn't cost much.
A pre-dinner cocktail at one of the many bars along the beach is also a must.
We found Positano to be very realxed and low-key, even in summer time. Ask locals for suggestions. We found everyone super friendly, especially if we spoke a few words of Italian.
We bought very good meat and basic groceries at a little shop almost right across from the church in the pedestrian only section. If you follow the walkway down from Mulini at the main bus stop, there will be a set of stairs almost immediately on the left side up to the shop. They have a great deli too. And enormous lemons!!! Don't forget charcoal for the bbq - we did and it's a long walk back to get some!
A pre-dinner cocktail at one of the many bars along the beach is also a must.
We found Positano to be very realxed and low-key, even in summer time. Ask locals for suggestions. We found everyone super friendly, especially if we spoke a few words of Italian.
We bought very good meat and basic groceries at a little shop almost right across from the church in the pedestrian only section. If you follow the walkway down from Mulini at the main bus stop, there will be a set of stairs almost immediately on the left side up to the shop. They have a great deli too. And enormous lemons!!! Don't forget charcoal for the bbq - we did and it's a long walk back to get some!
Apr 6th, 2016, 07:49 PM
#27
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And I still highly recommend chartering your own boat to explore the coast even if it isn't hot enough for swimming. There is enough to see between Positano and Amalfi without going on a ferry to Capri. Amalfi is a nice town to wander and have lunch. The church is beautiful too.
Apr 6th, 2016, 09:29 PM
#28
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Our apartment is a 3 bedroom in a complex with a pool which won't be open until June. Owner is Mariano. Has a terrific terrace and I believe there is a bbq.
I have looked into Lucibello and their options including the boat you took and their trip to Capri. I haven't discounted the half day private tour although we may just take the ferry to Amalfi, tour the town and then go up to Ravello. Did you book your tour in advance or just call them when you arrived? I like the idea of having plans in mind and then playing it by ear. This is supposed to be the relaxing part of the trip as we will be pretty busy in Naples,Matera and Rome.
We have 11 days in Italy and if the kitchen is okay, eating a meal a day plus breakfast in the apartment overlooking the view sounds tempting. We are pretty good cooks. It will be the only place we have kitchen facilities and I don't want to roll off the plane when we return! Also with 3 grown sons and a low Canadian dollar I don't want to break the bank either! I like the idea of picking up fresh food and picnicking too or picking up prepared food.
Thanks!
I have looked into Lucibello and their options including the boat you took and their trip to Capri. I haven't discounted the half day private tour although we may just take the ferry to Amalfi, tour the town and then go up to Ravello. Did you book your tour in advance or just call them when you arrived? I like the idea of having plans in mind and then playing it by ear. This is supposed to be the relaxing part of the trip as we will be pretty busy in Naples,Matera and Rome.
We have 11 days in Italy and if the kitchen is okay, eating a meal a day plus breakfast in the apartment overlooking the view sounds tempting. We are pretty good cooks. It will be the only place we have kitchen facilities and I don't want to roll off the plane when we return! Also with 3 grown sons and a low Canadian dollar I don't want to break the bank either! I like the idea of picking up fresh food and picnicking too or picking up prepared food.
Thanks!
Apr 7th, 2016, 07:22 AM
#29
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Yes,it is the same place!!! Mariano is a very very nice host. He was really kind and helped us find our luggage when Air Canada lost it for five days!!! Your teens will love the pool...and the view is to die for! You can't find a better view in any restaurant.
Bring a backpack or two to carry food home from the store. There are tons of steps!!! Or splurge on a taxi. We took the bus a few times and it is very crowded.
I booked the boat tour once we arrived. They have a desk down on the main beach. Go as soon as you arrive because they book up.
Bring a backpack or two to carry food home from the store. There are tons of steps!!! Or splurge on a taxi. We took the bus a few times and it is very crowded.
I booked the boat tour once we arrived. They have a desk down on the main beach. Go as soon as you arrive because they book up.
Apr 7th, 2016, 07:47 PM
#31
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Hahaha..I thought for some reason they were younger!
Yes we bbq'd. There is a charcoal bbq. The kitchen has all of the basics to prepare a meal. Honestly, our favourite restaurant was our apartment. We had a few other good meals. I will try to remember where we went and get back to you.
Yes we bbq'd. There is a charcoal bbq. The kitchen has all of the basics to prepare a meal. Honestly, our favourite restaurant was our apartment. We had a few other good meals. I will try to remember where we went and get back to you.
Apr 8th, 2016, 02:00 PM
#32
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The store up the steps is called Delikatessen. Before you get to the Delikatessen, on the left side of walkway there is another store that is excellent for meat and some food and wine.
I prefer the tiny store at the base of the stairs leading to the main church for groceries and wine. And if you buy enough then will deliver the groceries to your apartment.
If you are standing on the pier with your back to the water and walk straight ahead until you dead-end in a tiny piazza with some clothing stores and and a shoe shop (where I always get a pair of handmade sandals - usually around 60 euro), you will find an excellent fish monger. But he is usually only open in the morning.
You can also get a great sandwich and other prepared foods at Latteria, which is up on Via Pasitea across from Hotel Poseidon.
We love Lo Guaracino, which has good food and excellent pizza and a nice view of the sea. It is on the walkway to Fornillo Beach. Tre Sorelle is our favorite right on the beach - good food and great people watching. Next2 was a recent discovery that we loved - it is further up the hill and doesn't have a view but it has a nice outdoor patio and excellent food. Brunos is great for the view and the food is pretty good.
I prefer the tiny store at the base of the stairs leading to the main church for groceries and wine. And if you buy enough then will deliver the groceries to your apartment.
If you are standing on the pier with your back to the water and walk straight ahead until you dead-end in a tiny piazza with some clothing stores and and a shoe shop (where I always get a pair of handmade sandals - usually around 60 euro), you will find an excellent fish monger. But he is usually only open in the morning.
You can also get a great sandwich and other prepared foods at Latteria, which is up on Via Pasitea across from Hotel Poseidon.
We love Lo Guaracino, which has good food and excellent pizza and a nice view of the sea. It is on the walkway to Fornillo Beach. Tre Sorelle is our favorite right on the beach - good food and great people watching. Next2 was a recent discovery that we loved - it is further up the hill and doesn't have a view but it has a nice outdoor patio and excellent food. Brunos is great for the view and the food is pretty good.
Apr 9th, 2016, 07:06 AM
#34
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Another clarification on the buses up to Ravello. The poster above who said they had no problems visited in March. March was when I first visited and had no problems with the buses either.
When you will have problems with insane crowding is from May to mid Sept during the tourist season!
When you will have problems with insane crowding is from May to mid Sept during the tourist season!
Apr 11th, 2016, 05:11 PM
#35
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I am still undecided regarding the day trip to Capri as I am wondering if I am over programming the 3 1/2 days in Positano before we head off to Paestum enroute to Matera. This should be the relaxing part of our trip. If we do go I think we would take the ferry to and from and spend a fair portion in Anacapri.
I want to walk the Path of Gods and will arrange a drive could combine the drive with one hour stops in Amalfi and Ravello but I think that would be too much for the day especially with a 3 hour walk. Is a guide worthwhile for the walk?
I am thinking another day we will visit Ravello and Amalfi probably by ferry.
The private boat trip for the day sounds lovely- I don't think it would allow enough time to visit Ravello.
So many wonderful ways to spend time!
I want to walk the Path of Gods and will arrange a drive could combine the drive with one hour stops in Amalfi and Ravello but I think that would be too much for the day especially with a 3 hour walk. Is a guide worthwhile for the walk?
I am thinking another day we will visit Ravello and Amalfi probably by ferry.
The private boat trip for the day sounds lovely- I don't think it would allow enough time to visit Ravello.
So many wonderful ways to spend time!
Apr 11th, 2016, 08:04 PM
#37
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<I want to walk the Path of Gods and will arrange a drive could combine the drive with one hour stops in Amalfi and Ravello but I think that would be too much for the day especially with a 3 hour walk. Is a guide worthwhile for the walk? >
I don't understand what you mean. The best way to walk this path is starting in Bomerano and walking to Nocelle. That way you walk 'toward' Positano and see the coastline in all its splendour. I'm not sure how you plan to fit it in with a driver and seeing Amalfi and Ravello as well. It's not a stroll in the park. Parts of this path are crumbly, have sheer drops and a tourist was killed on the path last year. You need to take your time.
I don't understand what you mean. The best way to walk this path is starting in Bomerano and walking to Nocelle. That way you walk 'toward' Positano and see the coastline in all its splendour. I'm not sure how you plan to fit it in with a driver and seeing Amalfi and Ravello as well. It's not a stroll in the park. Parts of this path are crumbly, have sheer drops and a tourist was killed on the path last year. You need to take your time.
Apr 12th, 2016, 07:13 PM
#38
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Sorry, I was using my iPhone and missed a few words.
I was thinking the walk should be done on its own- thanks for clarifying. Is a guide recommended- I have seen a few mentioned on posts. One of the group is nervous of the walk. Is it very difficult if done in good weather taking plenty of time?
I was thinking the walk should be done on its own- thanks for clarifying. Is a guide recommended- I have seen a few mentioned on posts. One of the group is nervous of the walk. Is it very difficult if done in good weather taking plenty of time?
Apr 12th, 2016, 07:37 PM
#40
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To follow up on that thought:
I did NOT walk the Path of the Gods, and so (perhaps) should not comment.
I DID walk from Ravello to Amalfi. I was VERY glad I did, because the scenery was magnificent.
Just remember -- the scenery one sees when hiking along a path in a particular direction doesn't necessarily change much from step to step. For most hiking routes (and maybe the Path of the Gods is an exception?) you actually have to go some distance to discern a meaningful change in what you see. That's one reason I often choose shorter rather than longer hikes -- but then, my goal is the scenery, not the hike itself.
That hasn't affected my interest in hiking -- it has affected my choice of hikes. So, for example, if my time is limited, then I, personally, look for the hike that gives me the most views for the least exertion.
My decision would, I think, be different if I were looking for (say) the most hiking challenges or the longest hike or whatever....
I did NOT walk the Path of the Gods, and so (perhaps) should not comment.
I DID walk from Ravello to Amalfi. I was VERY glad I did, because the scenery was magnificent.
Just remember -- the scenery one sees when hiking along a path in a particular direction doesn't necessarily change much from step to step. For most hiking routes (and maybe the Path of the Gods is an exception?) you actually have to go some distance to discern a meaningful change in what you see. That's one reason I often choose shorter rather than longer hikes -- but then, my goal is the scenery, not the hike itself.
That hasn't affected my interest in hiking -- it has affected my choice of hikes. So, for example, if my time is limited, then I, personally, look for the hike that gives me the most views for the least exertion.
My decision would, I think, be different if I were looking for (say) the most hiking challenges or the longest hike or whatever....
