To drive a rental around the Amalfi Coast or just use public transport....
Feb 28th, 2013, 10:13 AM
#21
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No - we drove the road both way - from Sorrento south and another day from the south up to Sorrento. We did find it fun. In May - when there is traffic - but not at a standstill.
But we both like to drive. And I have been known to scare cab drivers in NY. It's more free-form driving - and you have to be confident of your skills and know EXACTLY how big your car is. (The number of passenger side mirrors lying by the side of the road from the driver scraping against the mountainside is quite large.)
But we both like to drive. And I have been known to scare cab drivers in NY. It's more free-form driving - and you have to be confident of your skills and know EXACTLY how big your car is. (The number of passenger side mirrors lying by the side of the road from the driver scraping against the mountainside is quite large.)
Feb 28th, 2013, 01:08 PM
#22
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DAX, I only just now noticed your link to the new parking garage in Amalfi, it looks great! ( I like her blog and haven't seen it in a while) She says it takes a few minutes to walk through the pedestrian tunnel to the town, the ferry is right there near the centre of town (it is a small town) but if it were me I'd err on the side of caution the first time and allow lots of time. If you are in need of a coffee break in Amalfi there is a pastry shop near the cathedral called Andrea Pansa. (there is a restaurant also). Coffee was good and the pastries were delicious. We took the more expensive option of sitting outside so we could people watch and it was 24 euro (including 10% service) for 2 coffees, water and 3 pastries but worth it to us to be able to sit down and have a break.You can have it much,much cheaper by standing up inside at the bar. Try the sfogliatelle!
Not sure where else you are going but for sure take the ferry to Positano. It was very easy to get parking in Paestum and as I said above Minori and Maiori were also fine for parking.If you do go to Paestum we had a good, inexpensive lunch at Bar Anna.
If the weather is still warm while you are there in September and you are feeling like a beach day, Maiori had a pretty nice looking beach, I remarked to my husband that it looked like a nice little town for a few days beach holiday.
We had a Renault Clio hatchback which was nice and small. I took a look at the car you are renting and don't want to be a nay-sayer, you might really need that size but we met a German couple who took an upgrade to an SUV that size and were kicking themselves. I guess in a parking garage or parking lot that wouldn't be too much trouble but a few times we had to park on the side of the already narrow road in between two cars and it was a bit of a to-do even with the small car.
We stayed in an agriturismo in Minori, up the hillside above the town, and way above us we could see Ravello. Our landlord pointed it out to us on the first day and said "they call it the balcony of the world". When we went up there and saw the views from the gardens in Villa Cimbrone we could see why. Had a lovely lunch at Villa Maria sitting on the terrace with that amazing view.
If any of you are shoppers, we bought some beautiful linen shirts and cashmere sweaters at Ricordi di Ravello near the main piazza, a very nice woman owns it.
Enjoy your vacation!
Not sure where else you are going but for sure take the ferry to Positano. It was very easy to get parking in Paestum and as I said above Minori and Maiori were also fine for parking.If you do go to Paestum we had a good, inexpensive lunch at Bar Anna.
If the weather is still warm while you are there in September and you are feeling like a beach day, Maiori had a pretty nice looking beach, I remarked to my husband that it looked like a nice little town for a few days beach holiday.
We had a Renault Clio hatchback which was nice and small. I took a look at the car you are renting and don't want to be a nay-sayer, you might really need that size but we met a German couple who took an upgrade to an SUV that size and were kicking themselves. I guess in a parking garage or parking lot that wouldn't be too much trouble but a few times we had to park on the side of the already narrow road in between two cars and it was a bit of a to-do even with the small car.
We stayed in an agriturismo in Minori, up the hillside above the town, and way above us we could see Ravello. Our landlord pointed it out to us on the first day and said "they call it the balcony of the world". When we went up there and saw the views from the gardens in Villa Cimbrone we could see why. Had a lovely lunch at Villa Maria sitting on the terrace with that amazing view.
If any of you are shoppers, we bought some beautiful linen shirts and cashmere sweaters at Ricordi di Ravello near the main piazza, a very nice woman owns it.
Enjoy your vacation!
Feb 28th, 2013, 07:21 PM
#23
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nytraveller: I suppose we won't be needing the side mirrors anymore after Amalfi since it is our last destination, I should consider picking up all the broken side mirrors along the road as souvenirs. They make an interesting abstract sculpture like those at the Guggenheim NYC.
Raincitygirl: I've been resisting buying sfogliatelle in our city's Little Italy until I try the real thing in Italy. Are you recommending the ferry to Positano for a better scenic approach or just to avoid traffic delay? We are pondering about Capri, not so enthused after reading all the negative reports about it being totally ruined by overtourism.
Yes, our wives unconditionally demand the trunk space of an SUV, unless we can hitch a luggage trailer
, they are happy shoppers too. Our trips are not so much about marking off the must sees but more on enjoyment & fun and that includes shopping breaks, so it's good to know that it's available in Ravello, hopefully not too expensive. Ha3x
Raincitygirl: I've been resisting buying sfogliatelle in our city's Little Italy until I try the real thing in Italy. Are you recommending the ferry to Positano for a better scenic approach or just to avoid traffic delay? We are pondering about Capri, not so enthused after reading all the negative reports about it being totally ruined by overtourism.
Yes, our wives unconditionally demand the trunk space of an SUV, unless we can hitch a luggage trailer
, they are happy shoppers too. Our trips are not so much about marking off the must sees but more on enjoyment & fun and that includes shopping breaks, so it's good to know that it's available in Ravello, hopefully not too expensive. Ha3x
Mar 1st, 2013, 10:39 AM
#24
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Ha ha DAX I like your idea for an abstract sculpture!
To answer your question about Positano, both for a scenic approach (really lovely) and the parking problem. Amalfi has more flat area to it than Positano and from what I could see, you would drive to Positano and IF you were lucky, find a place to squeeze your car in and then you descend down the hillside through the town to the waterfront on foot or there may be a bus, I didn't see one.
It is all very steep and I don't think you can drive down into the town.
Going by ferry was easy, stressless and very scenic. It was interesting to look at the cliffs from the sea and see how the road is carved from the side of those cliffs. You arrive right at the main waterfront strip (it's a very small town) and then you can ascend up through the streets and explore the shops, cafes etc. (bring your BIG wallet. lol)
We found a great internet cafe called La Brezza Net Art Cafe right on the waterfront, pretty much straight on from the ferry dock, free wi-fi, nice outdoor patio, good coffee, fresh, young vibe to it.
Good idea about the sfogliatelle, you won't be disappointed! I don't allow myself to eat that kind of thing normally but when I tasted those I practically had to have one every day, in fact, the last thing we did as we departed from the Naples airport was have coffee and sfogliatelle. My husband is an athlete so he was eating several pastries at a go, the lucky so and so.
Regarding the shop I recommended in Ravello, it was the end of the season when we were there and the owner gave me some substantial discounts. There is plenty of shopping in Ravello to keep your wives happy for a while!
We had a day trip to Capri and it was wall to wall people. (October) We grabbed a cab to Anacapri which was somewhat less crowded, had a nice lunch and explored. I know others on this forum say it is lovely if you actually stay there so you can enjoy it early morning and at night when the day trippers have left. Personally I couldn't recommend a day trip there to anyone, it just seemed like we had our hands in our wallets all day and we were cheek to jowl with other tourists milling around wondering what all the fuss was about.
I think if you stayed there and went hiking or rented a boat to explore some beaches or go fishing it would be more enjoyable, it is very pretty.
To answer your question about Positano, both for a scenic approach (really lovely) and the parking problem. Amalfi has more flat area to it than Positano and from what I could see, you would drive to Positano and IF you were lucky, find a place to squeeze your car in and then you descend down the hillside through the town to the waterfront on foot or there may be a bus, I didn't see one.
It is all very steep and I don't think you can drive down into the town.
Going by ferry was easy, stressless and very scenic. It was interesting to look at the cliffs from the sea and see how the road is carved from the side of those cliffs. You arrive right at the main waterfront strip (it's a very small town) and then you can ascend up through the streets and explore the shops, cafes etc. (bring your BIG wallet. lol)
We found a great internet cafe called La Brezza Net Art Cafe right on the waterfront, pretty much straight on from the ferry dock, free wi-fi, nice outdoor patio, good coffee, fresh, young vibe to it.
Good idea about the sfogliatelle, you won't be disappointed! I don't allow myself to eat that kind of thing normally but when I tasted those I practically had to have one every day, in fact, the last thing we did as we departed from the Naples airport was have coffee and sfogliatelle. My husband is an athlete so he was eating several pastries at a go, the lucky so and so.
Regarding the shop I recommended in Ravello, it was the end of the season when we were there and the owner gave me some substantial discounts. There is plenty of shopping in Ravello to keep your wives happy for a while!
We had a day trip to Capri and it was wall to wall people. (October) We grabbed a cab to Anacapri which was somewhat less crowded, had a nice lunch and explored. I know others on this forum say it is lovely if you actually stay there so you can enjoy it early morning and at night when the day trippers have left. Personally I couldn't recommend a day trip there to anyone, it just seemed like we had our hands in our wallets all day and we were cheek to jowl with other tourists milling around wondering what all the fuss was about.
I think if you stayed there and went hiking or rented a boat to explore some beaches or go fishing it would be more enjoyable, it is very pretty.
Mar 1st, 2013, 10:52 AM
#25
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You are right raincity, there is no bus down to the beach in Positano. I always recommend people travel between Positano and Amalfi by ferry, mainly because the views are so gorgeous and the sea breezes are nice on a hot summer day!
Mar 1st, 2013, 05:24 PM
#27
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Now that you've mentioned eating... In case no one else suggested it, I have to rave about Lo Guarracino in Positano. It's located along the seaside path that goes to Fornillo Beach. You access the start of the path near the Covo Dei Sarceni Hotel just at the town dock in Positano. The restaurant is about a 10-15 minute walk from the start of that path, on the right hand ( mountain) side.
Anyway, fantastic food and gorgeous views, since the restaurant sits at the top of a long staircase. Give it a try for lunch- or dinner- if you're headed to or from Fornillo Beach.
Anyway, fantastic food and gorgeous views, since the restaurant sits at the top of a long staircase. Give it a try for lunch- or dinner- if you're headed to or from Fornillo Beach.
Feb 15th, 2016, 05:30 PM
#28
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New poster here with a few questions. I've read, repeatedly, that the Garibaldi station in Naples is a bit rough and to watch your suitcases on the Circumvesuvia train from Naples to Sorrento as they might grow legs. Is this an exaggeration? If yes, how do you protect the suitcases? In addition, are there elevators to get from the central station to Garibaldi on the lower levels?
Feb 15th, 2016, 08:20 PM
#29
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Always better to start a new thread but in answer to your question - no one steals luggage. What they do steal are valuables that are easy to lift and run away with - like wallets and phones.
You will be watching your luggage - as there is literally no luggage storage on this train so most likely your suitcases will be on your lap - that is *if* you can get a seat.
There are escalators from the main concourse down to Garibaldi.
Only take luggage you can manage. I've seen people on this train with two suitcases the size of the Queen Mary, plus carry-on, a purse and a partridge in a pear tree. Needless to say, they have issues.
You will be watching your luggage - as there is literally no luggage storage on this train so most likely your suitcases will be on your lap - that is *if* you can get a seat.
There are escalators from the main concourse down to Garibaldi.
Only take luggage you can manage. I've seen people on this train with two suitcases the size of the Queen Mary, plus carry-on, a purse and a partridge in a pear tree. Needless to say, they have issues.
Feb 16th, 2016, 09:04 AM
#30
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We did not drive just to Sorrento but drove the coast road in both directions and did find it fun. There are great views and you can't go fast.
You have to be a good driver - or yours are one of the mirrors against the cliff wall knocked off by people afraid of oncoming traffic. But if you are not a confident driver used to tight spaces (perhaps driving in Manhattan was partial training, since lanes markers are just hopeful here, but we did enjoy it.
Offhand I can;t remember any large places that did not have a stone wall or similar between the road and the drop off to the sea. (Much better than the road from Stresa up to Switz, there are many places where there are only reflective driveway markers on sticks between the road and the drop off to the lake.)
You have to be a good driver - or yours are one of the mirrors against the cliff wall knocked off by people afraid of oncoming traffic. But if you are not a confident driver used to tight spaces (perhaps driving in Manhattan was partial training, since lanes markers are just hopeful here, but we did enjoy it.
Offhand I can;t remember any large places that did not have a stone wall or similar between the road and the drop off to the sea. (Much better than the road from Stresa up to Switz, there are many places where there are only reflective driveway markers on sticks between the road and the drop off to the lake.)
Aug 23rd, 2017, 12:19 PM
#32
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Your best option would be to prearrange a private driver to meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel in Furore.
Just FYI, the beach at Furore is now closed indefinitely due to the danger of falling boulders.
Just FYI, the beach at Furore is now closed indefinitely due to the danger of falling boulders.
