We're heading off to Italy in October with four friends from out long ago university days. We've got 10m days and vague initial plans of some of the time in Rome and some of the time on the Amalfi coast. My feeling is 4 nights on the Amalfi coast will be plenty with the rest spent on cultural explorations in Rome. The questions are a) what kind of transportation while there would people suggest, (6 people is a lot to cram into one car) and b) any suggestions about where to go between the 2 destinations to sample some local wine and witness the olive pressings?

ttt

I'm not aware of any european sedan that holds six - I think you would have to rent a mini-van of some type - or preferably two smaller cars - if you decide to drive. that way all six of you aren;t joined at the hip every moment.

October should be fairly uncrowded on the Amalfi Coast - so a car would be prctical - depending on what you want to do. It sounds as if you want to make stops along the way - if you also want to do day trips - to Pompeii, Sorrento, Naples etc - then a car would be a good idea.

If you just want to sit in one town and relax - they're probably not necessary.

Peppy - For local wine you might want to head up into the Colli Albani area outside Rome.

Frascati, perhaps - or if you're there in early October watch out for the Marino Wine Festival.

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/Laziodishes3.htm

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi P,

Early Oct on the AC is nice.

Train fare from Rome to Salerno or Rome to Naples will be about 215E for 6. Add about 50E to get to Positano by ferry or bus.

Check www.novarentacar.com and www.autoeurope.com for car rental fees.

It's only 2:30 hr from Rome to the AC. Unless you have a car, you won't be stopping off between the two.

We rented an Espace when we visited the Amalfi Coast a few years ago. There were 6 of us and it was roomy enough for all of us and our luggage. The only thing is that you have to be very careful about driving onto narrow roads. We had a very tight squeeze between two stone walls and just barely made it through.

Train to Naples from Rome then take the Vesuviana train to Sorrento, stopping off at Pompeii and/or Herculaneum en route. Bus from Sorrento to Positano or Amalfi for 2/3 nights at most unless you enjoy boat trips up & down the coast and across to Capri. If you're 'into' museums and art galleries then you'll be in seventh heaven in Naples and Rome!
Driving along the Amalfi coast is a tremendous strain for the poor driver.