My fiancé and I are thinking about adding a couple of nights onto the end of our honeymoon for a brief stay on the Amalfi Coast. We will have a rental car, but since this is an add-on, we want to be as frugal as possible. Basically, we just want beautiful scenery, areas to walk around in and maybe do a bit of shopping. We don't really care to spend much time on the actual beach, but a sea-view terrace where we could eat breakfast sounds heavenly after all the bustle of Rome.

Is Positano really the best option? The hotels there seem so much more expensive. We've seen much better deals in Ravello and Praiano. Would these be worthwhile? Which would you suggest, or is there another location that would be better or more accessible for us driving ourselves?

If you are mainly interested in the views, you would really enjoy Ravello, but there isn't much shopping and it is out of the way, so it is not a good base for day trips.

We'll only be there for two nights, so we won't have much time for day trips. What about Praiano though?

Positano has the most to offer of these three-beach access, shopping, restaurants. We stayed at Albergo California there and it was reasonable (at least in October) with a great view/location and huge rooms.

Look for Ira's trip report on Praino. Maybe it will help with your decision.

Ravello ofers stunning views of the coastline and is a perfect place to peacefully enjoy the Amalfi Coast with ample opportunity to wander around it's aincient paths and trails.A hort us ride will bring you to Amalfi with transport connections to Capri,Positano and Sorrento

Hi Jun,

I can highly recommend the Hotel Le Sirene in Praiano.

See http://www.lesirene.com/

One of the nicest things about this hotel is that you get the same view as from Le Sireneuse in Positano, plus you get to look at the twinkling lights of Positano at night.

I suggest that you contact them for where to park your car, as parking on the AC is at a premium.

See my trip report for restaurant recommendations, etc.

Ira?s Trip Report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

We spent a week in an apartment in Praiano and loved the location. An aparment doesn't sound like the answer for you, but we thought that Praiano was so perfectly located and the prices so much lower than Positano or Amalfi.

Having said that, I have to add that Ravello is a beautiful and serene spot. I could have sat in the piazza all day and looked at the scenery and the people, or wandered through the grounds of the Villa Cimbrone for hours. There is enough shopping to give you something to do and I would recommend Cumpa Cosima for lunch or dinner, and Amalfi is simply a bus ride away.

You have a decision to make, but you'll be on the Amalfi Coast -- any decision will be a good one.

prestonel,

We found Ravello a perfect place to unwind after Rome. Less crowded than other Amalfi towns, and the scenery/food was great. (See pic...)