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-   -   sorrento, positano or ravello? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/sorrento-positano-or-ravello-484032/)

Allison12 Nov 3rd, 2004 06:27 AM

sorrento, positano or ravello?
 
Hello, I'm thinking of honeymooning in one of these spots. Can anyone advise me on the best location for a young couple who would like things to do and a little romance? We're not big fans of traveling all over, so we'd like to have everything we need fairly close by. Do you recommend day trips to and from these place, or should we spend 5 days in one place and 5 days in another? We will be going in September 2005. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

cheryllj Nov 3rd, 2004 06:59 AM

I would vote for Positano, with 1-2 nights in Ravello and 1-2 nights in Capri. I don't think Sorrento is all that romantic, although it's worth a visit. It's a busier town with a lot more tour groups. I would stay in Capri for a couple of nights rather than Sorrento.

Both Positano and Ravello are beautiful and scenic and romantic. Positano has more choices of restaurants and shops. Another plus side of staying in Positano is that it has a dock right on the beach with ferries going to Capri, Sorrento, Amalfi, etc.

Ravello is high up in the hills so getting anywhere from there is more of an effort. But it's quieter and more peaceful and the view is beautiful!

ira Nov 3rd, 2004 07:22 AM

Hi allison,

They are all very close.

Sorrento has easier access to Naples, Pompeii, Mt Vesuvius, Herculaneum and Paestum.

Ravello is up in the hills above Amalfi.

Positano is in the middle and has both road and ferry access to the other towns.

For ten days and a little romance, I suggest fly into Venice, stay 4-5 days, fly to Naples, stay in Positano. Fly home from Naples.

Cheaap air travel within Italy can be found at www.volareweb.com

swalter518 Nov 3rd, 2004 08:03 AM

I would stay in Positano with perhaps a few nights on Capri. Positano to Ravello is only about 30 minutes by bus and while it's well worth visiting, I'm not sure you want to switch hotels between the two since they are so close. Also, Positano is more central if you want to visit Sorrento as well.

cheryllj Nov 3rd, 2004 08:13 AM

30 minutes from Positano to Ravello? I must have missed the express bus, because it took me over an hour and a half to get from Positano to Ravello on the SITA bus.

It was about 45 minutes on the bus from Positano to Amalfi, and then in Amalfi I waited about 10 minutes for another bus, and then it was about 20 minutes up to Ravello. I'm sure the time varies for the bus trip depending on traffic, but there is no way you can get from Positano to Ravello in 30 minutes taking the bus.

caroline_edinburgh Nov 3rd, 2004 08:35 AM

Ravello is very small and quiet - we regretted staying there for several days & thought a day trip, taking in the 2 famous gardens, would have done it. Also, being high up, it's much colder than down on the coast : we went in late June & were chilly in the shade & at night.

dickv2 Nov 3rd, 2004 08:41 AM

Good mormimg. Allison I would have to second the vote on Sorrento. It is centrally located that allows easy access to the Amalfi, Capri and Naples
and have a most excellant view of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius. It is a compact town with plenty of fine little ristorantes and bay side view
hotels. Would spend your first five days in Sorrento and then go to Venice for the balance of your time. Have a good trip. Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..

RTBOSS Nov 3rd, 2004 09:33 AM

just came back from 7 nights in positano-visited all the places-positano is easily the best and that comes from people staying at the other places

LizNYC Nov 3rd, 2004 10:57 AM

I go to Italy every May. If I were going on a honeymoon, I would do the following: I would spend 5 romantic nights in CAPRI (you will never regret going to Capri, it's magnificent!). I would spend the rest of my honeymoon in Sorrento. The Hotel Mediterraneo is right on the coast and is elegant. Sorrento is beautiful and also has ferry service to all the nearby cities. In my opinion, Positano is lovely (but very expensive and overrated) and Ravello is lovely but you will find many more things to do in Sorrento. Day trips are much better because everything is nearby. Traveling from city to city every three days is exhausting!

Allison12 Nov 3rd, 2004 11:21 AM

LizNYC,
Thank you so much for the info. Have you been all over Italy? Do you recommend spending any time in Venice, or just Capri and Sorrento? We will most likely be going for 10 days or so.

ira Nov 3rd, 2004 01:34 PM

Hi allison,

If you click on LizNYC's name, you will see how much she has contributed to this forum.

vinorosso Nov 5th, 2004 10:09 AM

Hello, was in Positano this summer for 5 days - absolutely loved it. I have been many time before, but never overnight (family is near there).
We were actually there the first week in Sept and the weather was like the summer during the days and cool at night. It is so romantic and relaxing at the same time. We enjoyed it after much running around and traveling before we arrived there throught Italy. There are smaller towns that you can visit from there by bus or ferry. But we enjoyed staying in the town and relaxing and enjoying the beauty. Ravello is amazing as well - but without the beach access. Ravello is 30 mins from Almalfi which is a good visit and also easy connection to Capri ferry. I would not recommend Sorrento as romantic honeymoon material. Especially if you are looking to relax on your honeymoon. Feel free to ask me more questions.

mgfit Nov 5th, 2004 01:51 PM

We got married and honeymooned in Positano this past September. We liked staying there because it was so easy to take day trips everywhere. We were there 6 nights. You can take bus or boat to Amalfi (30 min ride) from there. You can also take the boat to Capri (40 min) or Sorrento (35 min) from there easily. Ravello is a short bus ride from Amalfi. You can also take the boat to Naples although we did not do that. It was also available to Salerno.

Positano was located almost in the middle of every thing. It was very beautiful and very romantic. In September the weather is great too!

Weadles Nov 5th, 2004 03:38 PM

There's a reason why Positano is one of the world's top honeymoon destinations. Sorrento just doesn't compare.

I would suggest: 6 nights in Positano, 4 in Capri, and home from Naples via London.

Good luck, and congratulations!

RufusTFirefly Nov 5th, 2004 06:25 PM

Sorrento does have a great location, but it is tour group central for the Naples/Amalfi Coast region.

dln Nov 5th, 2004 07:28 PM

True, true. Sorrento is lovely and handy to stay in for travelling around but I wouldn't especially call it romantic. Ravello is romantic but not centrally located (though entirely worth visiting for at least a day), so that leaves you with Positano. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! ((L))

Patrick Nov 5th, 2004 07:39 PM

Sitting on a private balcony of a hotel on the cliffs in Sorrento sipping champagne and looking over the bay to Naples and Vesuvius isn't romantic? Especially on a honeymoon? You'd have to be a pretty pathetic couple of honeymooners not to find that romantic!

If you are emphasizing "things to do" then I feel Sorrento will offer you a whole lot more than the other choices. Those things to do include boat trips to Ishcia, Capri, Naples, and Procida, as well as a train trip to Pompeii. And of course you can also still visit Ravello, Amalfi, and Positano.

DonnieD Nov 13th, 2004 07:14 AM

I'm not a big fan of moving around alot, every hotel move consists of packing/unpacking, train stations, taxi's and lots of lost time. I do like ira's suggestion (Venice / Positano hubs), except I would add an overnight or 2 in Capri.

Capri is beautiful, and a must-see, but probably cannot be fully appreciated with a day trip from Positano. I think that I would recommend 1-2 nights there.

Melissajoy Nov 13th, 2004 11:00 PM

Allison12, I recommend 5 nights in Positano with a day-trip to Ravello, and 5 nights in either Rome or Venice. Both Rome and Venice are exciting and romantic; Rome is closer to Positano if that matters to you.

We stayed in Sorrento but I don't think it's the most romantic place for a honeymoon. Ravello and Positano are much better for a honeymoon. If you choose Ravello know that it is gorgeous and romantic, but definitely more remote. It depends on what you want.

Have lunch one day at Bar Trattoria Armandino in tiny Praiano on the beach (on the Praiano marina, where there's a little dock on a small beach.) Delicous fresh seafood, casual atmosphere on a pretty little beach, good prices. Not touristy.

Have a wonderful romantic honeymoon.

rexmor Nov 14th, 2004 08:33 AM

My wife and I thought that Ravello was the most romantic place we'd ever seen. Definitely not terribly accessible, however.


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