Hello Fellow Fodorites,
My wife and I have about 12 days for a trip in September, and are wondering if it is possible (and would be enjoyable!) to visit both - Southern Spain and the Amalfi Coast. Here's what we were thinking:
Seville - 4 days, including a day-trip to Cordoba and a possible visit to the Roman ruins at nearby Italica. Take the Alsa Supra bus to Granada.
Granada - 2 days, then bus back for a final day in Seville, to see things we might have missed, and to be near the airport.
Fly early from Seville to Naples, and head by train to Sorrento, which would then be our base for the area.
Sorrento - 4 days, including one day spent visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum, and another day to tour the coast (by bus?) stopping at Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.
Our last day we would take an early train from Sorrento to Naples, visiting the Archeological Museum, Castel Nuovo and Castel Dell'Ovo. Spend the final night in Naples to be near the airport for the flight home.
What do you think? Is it do-able? Is it overly ambitious?
We have been to other areas of Spain and Italy - but have always wanted to explore these particular regions.
Is a full day in Cordoba enough to see the sights and immerse ourselves in the historic medieval atmosphere? Are 2 days in Granada sufficient?
Would we have enough time in Sorrento to visit the key areas without feeling rushed?
It looks as though Naples has quite a few ancient sights, some scenic areas, and the museum sounds impressive. But I also read a great deal about it being unsafe. For those who have visited, was it possible to be alert and mindful of your surroundings without being so overly vigilant, nervous and on guard for potential danger that you were unable to enjoy what Naples has to offer?
Any and all comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Larz

Having been to both places I would skip the Amalfi coast and stay in Spain. why not spend some time in Madrid, Basque country or Barcelona? Pompei is fascinating but I have no desire to go back to Naples or Sorrento. Positano is a nice town for a night or two and Capri is nice. I am partial to Spain.

Hi L,

Having been to the AC and Naples, I think that that part of your plan is quite doable.

We very much liked our stay at www.lesirene.com in Praiano.

You are correct about being overly ambitious in your planning. Yo do have 12 days but why knock yourself out? Southern Spain is gorgeous, but so too is The Amalfi Coast. Your interests appear to be archeological. I would opt for 5 days in Seville. Move around from there and 7 days on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is not the Amalfi Coast.

The archeological sites in Naples (Campi Flegri, Bacoli, Baia,Pozzuoli and Naples itself are fascinating. Naples is not a dangerous city if you aren't walking around showing gold on you wrists and necks and looking dressed for a night out during the day. You would be a target anywhere in the world.

Sorrento is a big little city. The Amalfi Coast is a paradise of nature. Hotels, B&B's and Pensione abound. All by the sea. Fill your days with history and make some history for . yourselves. There is Paestum to see. The best GREEK Temples on the Italian mainland. There is Pompei, The Stabian Villas, Oplontis, Herculaneum and Minori.

My interests are also similar to yours. I found Positano Adventure Walks and the owner who is knowledgeable and speaks american english my best guide ever to all of this wonder.

I stayed at Holiday House Gilda in Positano and it was a delight. Check the prices. Positano has access to all major transportation and the best is by sea. Traffic on land can be a horror.

This is doable but it is very ambitious. Personally, I would choose either Italy or Spain and not both. 12 days with 2 days for travel is really only 10 full days, just 1.5 weeks.

For Granada 2 days is enought to visit the Alhambra but you won't have alot of time to get to know the city. You'll probably arrive mid-day and have to leave the following afternoon. So, one afternoon or morning will be dedicated to the Alhambra. If you were to choose to have 10 days in Spain I'd add another day to Granada in order to fully enjoy the Albaicin and the city center (Cathedral, Plaza Bib Rambla, etc...).

"Is a full day in Cordoba enough to see the sights and immerse ourselves in the historic medieval atmosphere? "

Cordoba is an easy daytrip from Sevilla if you want to visit the Mezquita and do a quick walk around the Juderia. But if want to immerse yourself in Cordoba I'd suggest spending at least one night. I don't think Cordoba gets as much attention as it deserves - most people are in and out in a day. I really enjoy this town particularly outside of the Mezquita area where there are less tourists but great churches and local neighborhoods.

Obviously, my leanings are towards Spain September is a great month to spend 10 days in Andalucia. You'd even have time to visit the white villages between Sevilla and Granada.

But for your best decision, I'd do some reading on both areas and choose one based on your own interest and research.

It sounds doable - but there is so much to see in Spain that I would stay there. We have been to Andalusia twice - one 10 days and once 12 - and still have more to see.

Besides Seville, you MUST see both Cordoba and Granada, visit a couple of the white towns and spend a day or two relaxing at the coast. (Stay away from Marbella itself - stay our near Puerto Banus - and while busy - it;s much more pleasant. Plus just looking at the incredible yachts of the uber wealthy is a hoot by itself. I couldn't believe it when I saw the one owned by Sheik whoever - with DUAL helicopters/pads on it - and cigarette boats as launches.)

hi Larz,

of course you can combine the two, but why would you want to? are you never going to return to europe again?

you have only 12 days, and you will lose a whole day when you move from one country to another. so that's now 10. add recovering from jetlag [assuming you're from the US] and you're down to 9. WHY???

they are beautiful places in September with quite enough to fill 10 days each. I would just choose 1.

regards, ann

PS - if you choose spain, don't forget about seeing the Alhambra at night as well as in the day. it is quite different and IMO worth the trip all by itself.

I would drop the hotel in Naples and just stay in Sorrento since changing hotels takes up vacation time. You can easily visit Naples from Sorrento.

If your flight isn't really early, you can take the shuttle bus from Sorrento to the airport.
http://www.curreriviaggi.it/

Thank you so much for all of your feedback. It has been quite helpful. I think we'll just do Spain this year, and save Italy for another time.
Here's our revised(as of this moment, anyway!)itinerary:
Seville - 4 nights with possible day-trips to Italica and the Roman city of Carmona.
Cordoba - 2 nights.
Granada - 3 nights.
With the remaining 3 nights, I was considering 2 options:
A) Take the bus or train to Malaga from Granada, which I understand has a historic medieval center - with a fortress, castle and Roman Amphitheater. Spend our final 3 nights there, with perhaps a visit to one of the nearby beaches - and fly home from there.
OR-
B) Fly from Granada(via Madrid)to Barcelona for 3 nights, thereby giving us a chance to explore another region of Spain, with a possible visit to Girona if there is time.
What do you think? Option A or B? (I suspect that are even options C and D and...!)
Thanks again.
Larz

Excellent so far, IMO I'd take a night off Cordoba and spend four nights in Barcelona. I also love Malaga, so you can't go wrong there, the Alcazaba is great but 3 nights is a lot to spend there.

Any post that asks if the plans are too ambitious, the answer is yes. Enjoy one country or the other.