cambee

I will be based in Sorrento and plan a day visit to the cities of Positano, Ravello and Amalfi at the end of this month. What would be the best way to see these cities and there sites? Using the local bus, rental car or a private driver? Could one see them all in one day or is that too much to do? Does each city have a lot to see or is it just the coast line drive that is the highlight of each town?
I have read that the buses get very crowded. I also have read parking can be an issue in these towns. So what about using a private driver? Does anyone have experience with private drivers that provide tours?
Also, on another day I would like to visit Paestum. What is the best way to go there for a day visit from Sorrento?
Thanks for any suggestions.

mimipam

Several years ago we used Giovanni Benvenuto. A driver picked us up at the airport in Naples and took us to our hotel. Giovanni's mother drove us with a guide to Pompeii for a tour there and dropped us at the ferry at Sorrento. After a stay on Capri he picked us up and drove us to Ravello stopping all along the way. He will do whatever you request. His father took us back to the airport on our return home. His email was [email protected]. There is also a website - www.benvenutolimos.com. I know others have used drivers as well. Email him and ask for a quote. I think it is the best way to see the area. Happy travels.

joannyc

April shouldn't be very crowded... I'd do the bus. If you rent a car, the driver can't appreciate the views and may be freaked out by some of the driving! ;-)

I didn't go to Ravello but you can certainly do Positano and Amalfi in the same day. The towns are very small.

A private driver would also be very nice but much more expensive.

basingstoke2

The good part of this forum is differences of opinion. In that vein I respectfully disagree with the suggestion to use the bus. Chances are you would not get a window seat, or your seat could be on the side of the bus away from the coast so you could well end up seeing very little. The windows on the buses also tend to be grimy. I do agree that April should not be crowded. I have driven the AC in April as well as other months and enjoyed the freedom of having the auto. There are places along the road where you can pull off and take photos or just enjoy the view for awhile. Parking was not a real problem, particularly in Amalfi where there is parking as you enter the town. Stop there for a coffee and snack at the sandwich shop in front of the church.

The coast road is hilly, winding and narrow, but not nearly as bad as some claim it to be. That said, I would not drive it during the high tourist season. If you are concerned about driving the road, a hired driver is a good solution.

Also, although I have never done so, I believe that some have posted here that you can also do the trip described by boat. It would be something to check on and I am sure that other fodorites will comment on that.

cambee

Thanks for the infomation on Bevenuto Limo as well as other suggestions.
What sites should I not miss in each town or between towns on the Amalfi Coast?
Is Paestum worth the effort?
I plan to look at the benefits and cost of driving verses using a private driver .

Steve_James

Hi Cambee - I always think it's best to do one way by boat and the reverse by road - that way you get to see this spectacular coastline from both perspectives.

If you use the bus, for best views -

- Sit on the RIGHT side if boarding in Sorrento.
- Sit on the LEFT side if boarding in Amalfi.

If you use a private driver, expect to pay close to €300 for a full-day;
€ 150+ for a half-day.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Lifeman

cambee...we have been to the AC many times and usually base in Positano. It's my favourite town of them all. I'd always choose to drive myself and as already stated, April will still be good for both driving and parking.

From Sorrento, it's an easy and pleasant drive over the hill to the AC. Each of the villages, and they are villages more than towns, has its own attractions, but you won't do more than scratch the surface in a day. You'll need to leave early after breakfast and Positano will be your first stop.

I honestly believe that you can spend a full day here and not see it all. Bear in mind you'll leave your car in car park in the village and then walk down to the sea. The route is lined with shops, restaurants,coffee shops and has lots of narrow alleyway to explore.

Next is Praiano, then Furore, Amalfi and Ravello. Each has its own charm but Positano is the most spectacular IMHO. In all, I'd recommend a week to explore, but if you've not got that time, then choose Positano for a day trip, take the bus and walk around the town. You'll love it!

tuscanlifeedit

How about boat one way, driver the other?

For me, the best viewing was by boat. The worst, by bus.

AMYWISS

We hired a private driver - WONDERFUL - great views, stops along the way, great knowledge of the area, comfortable car - worth every penny.
www.lglimoservice.com
We reserved by email - questions had immediate responses - just excellent service all around.

ira

Hi cam,

For private limos, we were pleased with Limousine Service Sorrento (Renato Cuomo)
www.cuomonet.it Also consider Francesco. http://www.francescomarrapese.com/

For Paestum,

You can take the Circumvesuviana line to Naples and Trenitalia to Paestum, or
you can take the ferry to Salerno and the train to Paestum, or
take the ferry to Amalfi, the bus to Salerno and the bus or train to Paestum, or
Go by SITA bus to Amalfi.

We took the ferry to Salerno, train to/from Paestum, bus back. Lovely daytrip.

suec1

Not sure the boats will be running in April - we had planned to go in May and do the coast one way by bus and return by boat, staying in Sorrento but as best I could figure out the boats run very infrequently, if at all, at that time of year.

Driving all depends on your comfort level - the first time we went to the AC (what I thought was goiong to be our only trip to that region) we splurged and hired a driver for the day. And it was great - we stopped in Positano then drove on for lunch in Ravello and a walk around in Amalfi. He was very chatty providing alot of info and entertainment.

If you do the coast by car you could still do a boat trip to Capri to get some sea views and enjoy a day on Capri. The boats run to Capri year round fairly frequesntly from Naples or Sorrento.

nytraveler

At te end of April I would rent a car - then you can do/see what you want on your schdule without the expense of a driver. The buses are slow - even off season, due to the stops. Parking won;t be such an issue now - and driving the road isn;t scary at all.

And, these aren't cities, they're really small towns - each one can be seen farily quickly unless you want to hike around the countryside.

isabel

Interesting to read the different opinions. We will be there in July, so a little different from April. As a frugal person I don't see how I could justify 300€ for something I could also get for about 3€, but as a photographer I go to great lengths to get good shots. So I hope some of you can answer some questions?

Where are the best views? I'm sure there are "great" views all along the road but if there are a few places might it be possible to just take a taxi from which ever village is closest?

Are there over looks within a couple of miles from any of the villages? So that would be walking distance. We easily walk four or five miles (round trip) for good views. If so where.

I frequently see pictures of the view from Ravello - the villas and places you can get to on foot. Is the view significantly different or better from anywhere else along the coast?

How frequently do the buses run in July? Someone suggested that if a bus if full (no more window seats anyway) that if you just stay at the bus stop you'll be first in line for the next bus and therefore get a window seat on the "correct" side.

kybourbon

There are footpaths. Google "path of the Gods" and you will find all kinds of information.

basingstoke2

isabel, even if you do get a window seat on the "correct" side you still have the problem of shooting through a window and one that in my experience is likely to be grimy or at least not clean enough for a good photo. You can't open the window because more likely than not, the bus will be air conditioned I am not sure if they even open, at least not on the newer ones. Then of course is the problem of timing your shot from a moving vehicle to get the angle that you want.

joannyc

I took the bus in early October, got a window seat on the 'correct' side. Must have had clean windows because my shots came out great!

My dentist and his wife hired a private driver. He was in the passenger seat, they had to stop twice so my dentist could vomit. And he rides motorcycles on long distance trips!

maryanne1

Having done the 3 places you want to visit in Oct. I think a private driver is the best way. The driver we used was one from Sorrento Silver. It is expensive,but we found several other people who wanted the same towns so we shared the expense. Ravello is the neatest small town. We stopped in Almalfi for lunch and visited the Church of St. Andrew. In Positano we enjoyed walking down to the water. The views are spectacular. It is so nice with a private driver that you can plan your own day which was what we did. Worth every penny!!

bobthenavigator

Isabel, Take the ferry from Positano to Amalfi and then the bus up to Ravello---there are great photo ops in Ravello and Villa Cimbrone. But, after you come back down to Amalfi in the PM walk about :15 to Atrani and shoot that famous shot in the PM long light. Hope for a good light day. I will be doing the same in late May.

travelfan1

For some great birds eye view photographs of Atrani or Amalfi you may want to visit Pontone and take a walk for the photos in this link:
http://www.fiamma.fr/TravelBlog/Amalfi.html (near the bottom)

Steve_James

Hi Isabel - For the best views, don't miss the 'Path of the Gods.' If you are basing in Positano, you can catch the bus up to Nocelle and start from there.

You can also get superb photos from the ferry.

Here's what you can expect:

http://tinyurl.com/3coedn
http://tinyurl.com/yo582h

http://www.giovis.com/sentdei.htm
http://www.sulsentierodeglidei.it/

http://www.worldphototour.org/italy/...tano/index.asp

Hope this helps ...

Steve