bbrosto

Hi-

I am trying to get an idea of what the best way is to spend our time at the end of our honeymoon. We will be going in July stopping in Venice and Rome first, flying home from Naples after 4 days on the Amalfi coast. We are staying at the Tramonto D'oro and while we want this to be the relaxing portion of the trip we don't want to miss anything either. We definitely want to see Pompeii and one of the islands (Capri or Ischia). Does it make sense to visit Pompeii on the way from Naples to Praiano? Any suggestions on a day trip to either Capri or Ischia would be appreciated. The rest of the time I imagine would be spent in Positano (beach, restaurants) or maybe a boat tour of the rest of the coast. I realize it's not very much time but I appreciate the feedback.

Dayle

b,

Given the time of year you will be on the Amalfi Coast and only 4 days, I would not try to visit either Capri or Ischia. I've visited Capri and really didn't think it was any more beautiful the the coastal towns.

Also, in July the crowds will be horrendous! The more you try to move around, the less relaxing your honeymoon will be. The SITA buses will have people jammed in like sardines, lots of pushing and shoving, and sweating and cursing. If a bus is full, it will not stop for you in Praiano. You will just be left standing by the road waiting for another one to come along, if ever. Bus service is hit or miss. I thought Capri in mid-Sept was too crowded, so I can't imagine what it would be like in July!

Definitely see Pompeii on the way to/from Praiano. Getting back and forth in July would take too much time out of your trip.

If you plan to spend most of your time in Positano, you should stay in Positano. Even though Praiano is very near, the difficulties of getting on the little orange bus each time you want to go back and forth will be no fun at all.

Plus, you can get around the Amalfi Coast by boat if you stay in Positano. No boat options from Praiano. For July, boat is the way to go!

If you must visit Capri, make sure to have your hotel book your boat a couple days in advance and make it the earliest one! The boats out of Positano to Capri are always full and without advance reservations you will have to wait for a later boat. Your "Day trip" instantly comes a couple of hours on Capri.

Based on my two visits to the Amalfi Coast, if I ever went again for a summer season visit, I would just park myself in a beautiful villa and not even try to go anywhere else.

congratulations and buon viaggio

ekscrunchy

Agree that is not wise to visit either island on a day trip at that time of year, especially on a honeymoon.


Do you have your room sorted out at the Tramonto d'Oro? They vary widely, with some offering good views and other not so much. (I stayed there last year)

bbrosto

I asked for a double room with balcony and seaview as part of their honeymoon package. Hopefully it's one with the best view.

I appreciate everyone's advice. I suppose I will skip the islands this trip and just enjoy the coastal towns, by boat!

bobthenavigator

Here are shots from Praiano near your hotel---oyu will have fun !

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=4481

Dayle

b,

Sorry I didn't mean to sound so discouraging.

You may very well end up liking Praiano because its smaller with far less tourists. If you stay and enjoy the Tramonto d'Oro (nice hotel) you will have more relaxation for your honeymoon rather than trying to send a lot of time in Positano.

There are several restaurants in Praiano, but I've only tried La Brace (had dinner there every night I liked it so much).

You might check out the bus situation, then ask your hotel to arrange a private driver for you to Positano - where you can spend as much time as you like, and access the boats to travel along the coast.

Taking the boats during crowded times is delightful and the views are incredible.

Buon viaggio