deztwotone

Thank you ekc for the tip on how to get back from Capri. I think that sounds really great because then I could experience at least a little bit of Naples, if we don't end up taking a day trip there.

PalenQ, I have heard of those infamous Amalfi Sita buses. I'm sure it is an experience all its own! Can I catch the bus from Salerno?

And thank you kja, I will be sure to check out the cathedral, diocesan museum and lungomare!

deztwotone

I'm sorry I must have missed your last reply Sandra but thank you for letting me know I'm in the heart of Salerno and will be easily able to explore the city and surrounding region It sounds like the best plan for traveling back to Salerno from Capri will be to take a ferry to Naples and then the train to Salerno. I will certainly keep your recommendation of Mimi Alla Ferrovia in mind

EYWandBTV

Re Amalfi SITA bus back to Salerno: yes. Salerno can be your starting point or final destination for these buses, which go constantly up and down the coast between Sorrento and Salerno.

kja

"It sounds like the best plan for traveling back to Salerno from Capri will be to take a ferry to Naples and then the train to Salerno."

Or the ferry from Capri to Amalfi and the bus to Salerno. I think it would really depend on when, exactly, you are traveling.

Does you guidebook to the area not cover these things? You might want to get one that does....

deztwotone

Thank you for the clarification EYWandBTV.

And thank you for the other option kja. Regrettably, I haven't really been able to find a guidebook that details Salerno. I have been depending on lonely planet guides, my own ability to stumble upon helpful information and the kindness of strangers (especially Fodor's). So thanks again for taking the time out to help me.

yorkshire

There are several SITA bus stops in Salerno--the terminus is at the train station.
I spent a little time in Salerno going to and fro, and I greatly enjoyed lunch at Bar Moka, Corso Vittorio Emanuele 108.
I would definitely take the bus at least once--you could use it to visit the closer towns on the AC such as Vietri (known for ceramics), Cetara (great restaurants), Minori/Maiori (there is a Roman mosaic in one of these adjacent towns that I always mix up). I'd use the ferry for Amalfi and Positano.
One fun way to spend a day would be to take the bus to Minori/Maiori, hike to Ravello, then down to Atrani/Amalfi, and ferry or bus back. Check ferry schedules carefully of course!

EYWandBTV

Deztwotone, you're right, the popular English language guidebooks do not provide much information about Salerno. Below are a few notes which I made in preparation for our trip last year, from browsing the web and books (old fashioned, physical books). The quote marks, by the way, indicate where I quote other travelers' comments on various web sites but alas, I did not write down the site addresses. Also, my TR mentioned above gives the names of the restaurants and gelato places we visited.

WINES
Aglianico (red), Taurasi, Greco di Tufo (white)

RESTAURANTS
Angolo Masuccio
Osteria Canali
Osteria del Taglio
Taverna Santa Maria de Dommo
Osteria Canale
A Prua

SIGHTS

⇒***Evening Passeggiata: on Corso Vittorio Emanuelle.

⇒***Il Giardino di Minerva - Gardens of Minerva
“Historically, the students of the Medical School in Salerno were taught lessons in these gardens, and apparently, the gardens were also the first in Europe where plants were cultivated purely for health remedies. The gardens were incredibly beautiful and peaceful. Ian and I were the only visitors, so we enjoyed complete serenity”

⇒***Duomo
Cathedral of San Matteo. “A gorgeous atrium leads to the entrance of the cathedral and is completely surrounded by columns showcasing the Islamic influences. The cathedral's interior is nearly entirely white, but the simplicity makes it appear even more grand. Again, there were very few people visiting the cathedral, so it was very peaceful. “
***Crypt of St. Mathew: very ornate, over-the-top Baroque, be sure to visit while in the Duomo.

⇒San Gregorio church: fine paintings

⇒San Pietro a Corte: beautiful, stark, bare little church interior

⇒Museo Archeologico Provinciale di Salerno: via San Benedetto 28. CLO MON; open 9:00 – 19:30. Excellent.

PalenQ

One fun way to spend a day would be to take the bus to Minori/Maiori, hike to Ravello, then down to Atrani/Amalfi, and ferry or bus back.>

I did in reverse - up from Amalfi thru lush orchards and garden farms to Ravello - fairly steep and stepped near the end I believe and then zigzagged down thru vineyards on workers lanes - smack thru the neart of the vineyards with a frontal sea view the whole way - seeing the vineyard workers doing their jobs was neat.

yorkshire

My knees wobble with the memory, palenQ, but oh those views!

deztwotone

Yorkshire and PalenQ - what you've described sounds like a perfect day! I had no idea I would be able to walk through the vineyards. I certainly need to do more research into the towns I will be travelling to from Salerno. Looking into Ravello now and it seems so beautiful! I'm really looking forward to hiking around these towns, maybe getting to know some locals and of course taking lots of pictures.

EYWandBTV - As always, thanks so much for the needed information! Your notes look a lot like the ones I've accumulated so far in my research I have already added snippets of your travel report to my notes. I found it extremely helpful! Your wine list reminds me that I need to look further into the different regions in Italy and which wines need to go down as a "must-try" in my notes.

yorkshire

See if your library has one of the hiking guides to the Amalfi Coast--there are numerous paths. I imagine you can find some stuff online also.

mama_mia

For the Amalfi hike, you might want to search on "Valle dei Mulini" or Valley of the Mills. The path goes through an area that once contained paper mills; remnants of the mills can still be seen. This is a nice path because it has some shade and waterfalls. You head up towards the town of Pontone past lemon groves and, when we went in the spring, beautiful wisteria. From Pontone you can head to Ravello (on this path, we passed a goatherd and his charges) and then take the steps down to Atrani.

We had the Cicerone "Walking on the Amalfi Coast" guide to plan this hike, as well as our trek on the "Path of the Gods" (Sentero degli Dei)--spectacular views.

kja

Oh yes, I had forgotten how little coverage Salerno gets in guidebooks! I think Frommer's had a section on it, and maybe the Rough Guide, too....

deztwotone

I am planning a trip to my local library tomorrow For now, I am trying to see what I can find on the internet about hiking in the Amalfi. Valle dei Mulini and Sentiero degli Dei are the two I've been able to find the most information on so far.

If anyone ever stumbles upon this and is wondering where they might find some good guidebooks on hiking the area, here's a general overview:
http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Amalfi.../dp/1852845910
The Sunflower guide is also recommended. But it seems like the general advice is to get a hiking map once you're in the area, but the guidebook will have a good overview.

Some online resources:
http://www.theamalficoast.net/amalfi...ing_guide.html
http://www.amalfihome.com/walks/index.html

kja

I didn't do a lot of hiking in the area -- just the hike from Ravello to Amalfi. Stunning! But a bit less well marked than I would have liked....

drwoods

I was wondering why traveller1959 likes to stay in Amalfi?

PalenQ

I didn't do a lot of hiking in the area -- just the hike from Ravello to Amalfi. Stunning! But a bit less well marked than I would have liked....>

Trail I took was well beaten - which trail or lack of did you take - mine had many steps at very end and started a bit east of Amalfi town if I recall correctly.

jelopez33

Hi to all!

Of course this is an old post, but the question of why Amalfi is the best base is always valid.

I have been based both in Positano and Amalfi, and like Amalfi for a number of reasons.

-- Amalfi is somewhat central in the Amalfi Coast, while Sorrento is not on the Amalfi Coast, but as said, has the best ferry connections.

--Amalfi is flatter than other towns, and more "real" than Positano.

--Ferries starting at Salerno make stops at Amalfi.

--Amalfi is a hub for SITA buses.

--Being based in Amalfi you can walk to Atrani, and many other town are reachable in a few minutes in bus....Maiori, Minori, Vetri sul Mare, Ravello( a must), and a few other.

-- Amalfi has a beautiful (but not so long) lungomare, to take night walks, excellent restaurants and a beautiful Cathedral.

Anyway......the Amalfi coast is so beautiful that it is almost imposible to make a wrong choice.