Question for best Town to base for touring the Amalfi Coast
 

I'm trying to put a trip together and I need your help. (as usual,Bob,Ira and all) I need a Hotel as a base for touring the Amalfi Coast.

We want to visit Sorrento , Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, I was thinking about staying in Sorrento and then using the ferrys or boats to visit these places. Is that possible?

We've stayed in Positano 2 other times, so I'd prefer to stay somewhere else, and visit Positano for the day.

What advice do you have?

We have 3 days and then we are going to Ischia for 3 days

Love you guys. You always come up with the perfect plan.

Thanks
Val

You didn't mention Pompeii, Capri or Naples, so I'm not sure why you would consider staying in Sorrento unless you like moving around by ferry. But, if you decide on Sorrento, I'd recommend the Bellevue Syrene. Not cheap, but away from the main drag and noise. You could walk to the ferry dock but would probably want to bus or taxi back up to the town when you return. Gorgeous views of the bay and Vesuvius.

Hi F,

We very much enjoyed our stay at the Le Sirene in Praiano - abt 6 km E of Positano and a world of difference.

However, considering where you wish to visit, I suggest Amalfi over Sorrento.

((I))

Hotel Michelangelo is a fabulous hotel perfectley located in Sorrento. Ideal for visiting Positano, Ravello,Amalfi,Pompei,Capri and of course Vesuvious. You DEFINITELY don't want to spend any time in Naples!!!! Take a look at
www.dios.com/hotel/6389

I am not sure you can visit Ravello by boat as it is up in the hills.

Frankval: I would second your choice to stay in Sorrento. It makes a terrific central base from which to visit all the Amalfi Coast towns, including boats to nearby islands of Capri, Procida, Ischia, etc. From Sorrento you can access several transportation options *(train, bus, ferry boat, etc) compared to the limited transportation options in the AC towns (no trains). In Sorrento you can easily take a Circumvesuviana train into Naples for a day excursion (archaeological museum, etc), as well as to Pompeii and Ercolano Scavi (Herculaneum) too.

My hotel of choice is the Hotel Lorelei e Londres, Via Califano, 12 @ 95 euros a night for a double room with walk-out terrace and ocean view, includes breakfast too. It is within walking distance to Piazzo Tasso and the Circumvesuviana Station. I was just in Sorrento mid-September and love the convenience and centrality of the town, I return there at least 2x a year if I can. Buon viaggio!

Frankval:

When we visited Amalfi, we split it up - half the time in Sorrento, and half the time in Praiano. Sorrento is larger and well located for visiting Pompei and anywhere else you want to visit on the northern side of the peninsula, but it's a long ride to visit the towns of the Amalfi Drive (Amalfi, Positano, Ravello). Praiano is a nice little town right in the middle of things on the Amalfi drive halfway between Positano and Amalfi.

Check out my web page on this trip:

http://www.travel.stv77.com/amalfi.html

Amalfi is very small indeed and you would need to get a bus from Amalfi to visit Ravello. Why wouldn't you want to stay in Naples? We divided our time- had 3/4 nights in Naples. It's wild, and a totally different experience to staying on the Amalfi coast. We visited the fantastic Archaeological Museum, where the best frescos and artifacts from Pompeii are housed. We took the Circumvesuviana train for a full day at Pompeii from Naples. Then same train to Sorrento and bus along the coast to Positano. After that we just used ferry boats for trips to Amalfi/Ravello, Capri etc

If you want something different . . . well, a picture is worth a thousand words so . . . here is a picture I took from the balcony of the Hotel Belvedere about a mile west of Amalfi. No, transport is not as easy but this was our morning “coffee view” . . .

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h3...alfi-coast.jpg

Ian

Sorrento is a great base....we have stayed at the Hotel Minerva and La Tonnarella. Both have great views of the Bay of Naples......and you DEFINATELY DO want to visit Naples. Go in the morning when the fish markets are open....it's lively, it's interesting and it's Italy!

Bookmarking

bookmarking

Ira, you have always offered such good advice. Can you give me more details on your lodging in Praino, Amalfi? Le Sirene looks good - what about transportation to other towns? We are using the bus connections.

topping this, hoping ira will find it!

If you click on Ira's name you will find more than enough on Praiano and Le Sirene. I think he is on their payroll (just kidding).

thanks, sea urchin.
i found his trip report.

Dina,

I stayed at Le Sirene too, based partly on Ira's recommendation. It was absolutely perfect for me and a great value. Lots of steps down from the road, but they will assist with luggage back up. Excellent breakfast (typical), views, comfortable, immaculate, lovely owners Maria and Giancarlo.

Aren't you and your family ready to take off for Tofino, BC? I sure am!

Hope this helps!

Hi Dayle,
yes, we are leaving for Tofino next week! I am really excited.
(although i wish we could afford to go to Italy this summer! I am planning ahead for june 2008. Need to figure out where we're going to go so i can try to get tickets with ff points in a few weeks.)

about Le syrene, did you think the beach was nice there? I'm sort of worried that the bus is the only transportation option and it seems that everyone says the busses are SO crowded in the summer. Is there a port there where we can get a boat?

thanks,
dina

bokkmarking :D

Hi P and D.

The SITA bus that goes from Sorrento to Amalfi passes through Praiano. It stops not far from Le Sirene.

The Orange bus connect Praiano to Positano. This one goes down to the waterfront. You can take the ferry from there.

((I))