Hi

My boyfirend and I (28 years old) have 5 days in Italy and we are really stuck deciding on where to go. We are looking for good food and beautiful locations. Ideally we would like to spend time on the beach but we also enjoy just walking through beauitful towns and enjoying the atmosphere and eating local food. We don't need a very busy nighlife but would like good restaurants to go out to. We are trying to decide between 5 days at the end of August/beginning of September either in Cinque Terre OR Sicily(mainly Palermo and San Vito lo capo) OR Amalfi Coast(Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, capri-not sure where to base ourselves or maybe pick 2 locations???) I'm leaning toward the Amalfi Coast but worry it may be completely packed at that time? Also, what will the weather be like?

Would appreciate any opinions! which is your favourite?

Thanks!

The beach locations will all be at their busiest (and everywherevwill be at its hottest) then. Confused about the inclusion of Palermo there ? It's a very interesting city to visit but there aren't really beaches in the city, although of course some hotels have pools. If you want some time in an interesting city with lots to see, in addition to a separate few days at the beach, Palermo is a good choice and will probably be fairly quiet then.

Cinque Terre is the only place on your list I haven't been too but it has always seemed to me that it is mainly about hiking - do you want to do hiking ?

If not, given your initial description of what you want, I'd go for the Amalfi Coast - either 5 days in Amalfi or split between Amalfi & Capri. With only 5 days I'd stick to Amalfi, and you could alternate days on the beach with a couple of days sightseeing, maybe to Positano one day and Ravello another day. Amalfi is the best location on the Amalfi Coast for transport connections and I like it best as it is a 'real' town as well as being a holiday resort. Positano is really just a holiday resort, for almost exclusively very wealthy visitors. Personally I don't like Sorrento - too much aimed at cheap British package tours, plus there's no sea view from most of the town - but I can imagine it may appeal more to young people.

Thanks! That is very helpful! We just thought of staying in Palermo for a night just to get a feel for it and maybe visit a nearby beach and then move to San Vito, but I really do like the idea of Amalfi. Thanks for your advice. Any suggestions for accommodation are also welcome. Also, will everywhere be really busy-don't most people end their holidays at the end of August? We will be there from 30 August to 4 September.

It will be very busy and crowded still but if this is the time you have, go for it. We've been to all of the places you list and, with 5 days, the Amalfi area is probably your best bet. Sicily is far too interesting to see in 5 days, especially if your goal is the beach. CT doesn't have nice beaches for the most part.

I think you're on the right track. CT will be crowded and Amalfi sounds more your thing.

Hi CT,

I would choose the AC.

However, it doesn't matter. You will like all three.

You might want to consider staying in Mondello, the beach resort of Palermo; you can spend time at the beach and in Palermo itself. There is a bus that runs between them. Food in both locales is superb. On my first trip to Sicily I spent a few days in Mondello and I still remember those sea urchins!

For what you describe, I would choose either Amalfi coast or Mondello/Palermo. The first is an international resort destination (although you can certainly find "authentic," i.e non-touristy, places on that coastline; it just takes some research) the second will give you more of an idea of how Italians live and vacation.

I missed Caroline's post above; she gives a very accurate picture of the various AC towns. If you do go to the AC, I agree that the town of Amalfi is the place to stay.

I think you would enjoy any of these locations!

If it were me...I would split my time a few nights in Positano or Amalfi and then 2 nights on Capri. Capri is a wonderful place to spend the night because its whole character changes after dark when all the tour boats leave. It is one of the favorite places Ive ever stayed.

I agree Capri is lovely and with more time I'd say go for Amalfi + Capri, but I don't think 5 days is long enough for both (+ beach time).

OP, re accommodation in Amalfi : the Santa Caterina is fantastic if your budget stretches to it (mine did once but sadly not any more), but I've heard glowing reports of the Residenza del Duca which is much more reasonably priced. I've also seen lots of praise in this forum for the Floridiana. (eks, where was it you stayed ?) Yes, you may find things slightly less crowded that week than earlier in August, looking at how the dtaes fall.

CE: I stayed at Floridiana and highly recommend with the caveat that there is no view. We did not feel that we needed one because there are astounding views wherever you turn in that area. I know that a view is very important to others, though. There seem to be quite a few hotels in Amalfi that garner good reports, but I would book soon to avoid disappointment.

I did some further reading on Mondello and reports seem to be mixed; the hotel scene does not look good. I was there so long ago that I probably should not have recommended it in my post above.

Www.metropole.it

My fav for Portofino CT

My fav that time of yr the south will be

Lots hotter more crowded

Just got back from note delfino.com

Nice late fall early spring too hot and crowded otherwise

Have fun


$60 Otel.com good in later fall or early spring

Hub and I took the city bus to Mondello and our "take" was that it is truly a beach town for Italians. Nice beach, deco beach house, sweet summer houses. Very close to Palermo which was our base.

For Amalfi Coast, does Positano have a nice beach? Amalfi? We were there in March so no one was swimming. Ferry from there to Capri for a day trip? My opinion is that travelling between the towns on the AC by road, takes more time than by water.

For the CT, if you like hiking, I think you'd enjoy that. Don't have my notes handy but I believe Monterosso has a beach. Train or hike between the CT towns and also boat transportation available. There might be some towns on that coast of Italy for nice day trips.

Please read about these destinations and see what attracts YOU the most.

The beaches in Amalfi and Positano are nice enough as long as people keep in mind that they are not hemmed by fine white sand. There are better beaches elsewhere on that coast, but in general, I think it is the whole picture--the water, the rocky headlands and coves, the pastel towns rising above the sea, etc etc. Like this photo, showing the beach at Furore:



http://www.panoramio.com/photo/40046288


The most glorious beaches I've seen on the Italian mainland are in Puglia.


Amalfi town beach (top photo)

http://www.marcofreddi.org/ipofoto/bruno/bruno.htm



Website showing pics of beaches along the Amalfi Coast (text in Italian):

http://www.spiaggecostieraamalfitana...getratto3.html






Puglia beaches:

http://tinyurl.com/6dbcwh3

I cannot comment on CT. I would battle to think of a beach on the AC.

You could consider Cefalú (northern Sicily, 1 hour by train from Palermo, decent restaurants, medieval town, good beach)

Alternatively, further south than the AC , Paestum, Agropoli or Santa Maria di Castellabate. The latter in particular has good beaches and restaurants although is a good couple of hours drive from Naples.

You don't really go to the Amalfi Coast for the beaches.
I mean, there are beaches there, but that is not the main attraction. And compared to a Caribbean beach, they are pretty sad (the sand is pebbly and brown, beaches are narrow and small). Its the setting that is wonderful.

If actual beaches are your main priority, you would probably be dissapointed by the AC.

Thanks-we have reconsidered our requirements and have decided we don't necessarily need a perfect beach-just want to be able to see beautiful views of the ocean so we are thinking AC will be better. Thanks for all your suggestions and opinions!

I second the recommendation to stay in Amalfi and also Hotel Floridiana. They have just added a rooftop hot tub. Check the reviews on TripAdvisor. Every single time we walked through the entrance to the main square in Amalfi it had the WOW factor which we never tired of. The main bus station is there so it is very convenient for travel to all the amazing little towns (Ravello, Positano, Maiori, Minori, Atrani) using a 3 day transit pass.

I want to chime in. I have been to all 3, Amalfi is wonderful and beautiful as is the CT. However, both are very crowded including many day trippers.

I favor Sicily from both beauty and frankly less people. While I have been to Italy several times over 25 years, I consider Sicily much like Tuscany was at that earlier time (people friendly and less jammed.)

Every one has their own view and I would not argue with any other.
You cannot be wrong with any of the 3 choices.

Amalfi coast is wonderful. Ravello is the best. Positano is very touristy, mediocre food, humid and filled with Americans. Ravello gives you great Amalfi coast views, more intimate surroundings, excellent food. Villa Maria is special.