Hi Adriana-just a few words about your upcoming trip to the Amalfi Coast in Aug. It promises to be hot so plan appropriately. Choose hotels with air conditioning for one thing. I wanted to visit Ischia but found out too late that they only run boats out to the island from Sorrento on Thursdays. I hear they have nice, sandy beaches there so if that is what you have in mind you'll have to be in Sorrento on a Thursday. Sorry I don't knpw the cost or options from other towns.

The Amalfi Coast sits with Amalfi (and Ravello 20 minutes above by bus; very narrow roads if you plan on driving a car)) at one end, Positano in the middle (35 mins. by bus, 45 mins by ferry from Amalfi), and Sorrento at the other end of the coast (about an hr. by bus from Positano). Costs are much cheaper on the bus, run frequently and are air conditioned. You can travel between any of the towns, except Ravello, by ferry. Capri is a short ferry ride away from Sorrento and service is the most frequent from there. Ferry to Ischia from Sorrento as well. I think a combination of bus rides and ferries will give you a nice view of the entire coastline. It is an entirely different view from the water.

One option is to take the mini cruise from Sorrento for 22 euros. You take a 7.5 hr. cruise with stops off Capri, Positano(you can get off here for 2.5 hrs), or continue on to Amalfi for a 2 hr. lunch then return to Sorrento.

Capri is worth at least a visit. We spent 3 nights on the island but I am not sure you need to spend that long there. Blue Grotto, Garden of Augustus, Mt. Solaro are must see activities.

My vote is for Positano if you are going to spend a few days on the coast. It is the most centrally located with good restaurants nearby in Montepertuso(Il Ritrovo, Donna Rosa, and La Tagliata).

Be aware that most of these beaches are rocky and not sandy. Perhaps the sandy beaches you are looking for are on Ischia.

Best shopping is in Sorrento but the shops close down in the afternoons when it is the hottest between 1-5.

Enjoy your vacation and bring lots of sunscreen. Ciao.

MMMM... Aneckc, I disagree with you.
I think you DO have a flair for writing.
I'm going to put your report in my "someday italy" file...and maybe just simply retrace your steps!
Thank you very much for sharing this.
Grazie

Mille Grazie SuzieC- I appreciate your kind words. I just tried to include all of the questions that I had before taking this trip, questions which were so well answered by all of those Fodor faithful on this message board. I felt well prepared evrywhere we went because of the suggestions we received beforehand. My wife was amazed how thoroughly prepared I was.

We had a wonderful trip, but having said that, we are also glad to be back in the good old USA! There is no better place in the world to live. Traveling abroad, even to a country as beautiful as Italy, makes me appreciate all of the privileges and comforts of home. Little things that we take for granted like washcloths in our hotel rooms, being able to sit at a table or park bench without having to pay a surcharge for it, crossing a street without having to worry about a vespa coming from the opposite direction, not having to tip someone to use his bathroom, etc. Most of all, someone who has never traveled will never know how great our country really is. I heard an old saying- Travel broadens the mind...and loosens the bowels- seems appropriate. Good luck in your travels!

aneckc, your trip report was wonderful! We will be leaving for Italy on Sept.3. Four days in Rome and eight days in Conca di Marini which is a small town before Amalfi. We are staying at the Hotel Belvedere which is suppose to have a great view. Your report was so good because we plan on doing much of what you did and the information was wonderful. I was wondering where to get ceramic tiles with my house address and now I know Capri. Ravello sounds so nice and I can not wait to visit there. you answered so many of our questions that it was like you were writing to me directly. ha! One thing I really needed to hear was that the Italian people do not hate us and will treat us well. My husband has been driving me crazy trying to talk me into canceling our trip due to the media hype that everyone hates americans. I have been insisting that Italy supported us and I want to support them by spending our vacation money there. The last time we went to Italy was in 2000 and I found them very warm people. We are definately not ugly americans and know how to act and treat people while in their country. Again, thank you for your wonderful report. I can not wait for September. Now if I can only get over my fear of the FLIGHT.