Amalfi Coast?

DH and I are going to Italy in June. We're spending a few days in Rome (we've both been there before so we pretty know what we want to do); but we were then thinking of heading down to the Amalfi Coast for a few days. Can anyone suggest which area to stay? What to see? Where to go? It all looks gorgeous and I'm reading up on tripadvisor, but I thought you ladies might have some great suggestions too. Any and all advice appreciated!
Thanks!!

Re: Amalfi Coast?

I just came back from there.

Naples, Pompeii (via Castellammare di Stabia), Capri and Positano.

it's all beautiful. some just a bit less touristy.

we stayed in Castellammare rather than a larger city like Sorrento b/c it was cheaper (the hotel we stayed in was GORGEOUS...the only one I'll break my back to recommend Hotel La Medusa just know that you will have to take a taxi from the train (we walked it the first time and it was painful and not pretty.)

the town itself is very cute and was a great place to see the ruins at Pompeii from. we went to a GREAT GREAT restaurant there for dinner as well (the name escapes me, I will try to get it for you)

definitely take your time to see Capri. the LAST ferry leaves at 5pm daily (at least it did when I was there, but may be later in June) and we didn't get there until early afternoon, so our time was cut short.

if you have the ching to stay there overnight, do that (I don't ) or stay in Sorrento, which I believe has direct ferry service and may be cheaper (though it's relative b/c the whole area is fairly expensive)

Positano was also beautiful. we stayed at Hotel Posa Posa which was nice hotel, extremely kind and efficient and helpful staff...it just didn't blow me away, but it was a good nights sleep, a nice location, and a nice continental breakfast in the morning.

I will definitely try to get you some restaurant names...we were never disappointed in that regard.

the scenary is breath taking. definitely take a couple of ferry rides and/or hire you own boat. the views from the water to the town are almost as (if not AS) stunning at the views from the towns to the water.

and don't forget to have a pair of sandals made for yourself. I did. it was fun!

Re: Amalfi Coast?

Posted by Ophelia

I just came back from there.

Naples, Pompeii (via Castellammare di Stabia), Capri and Positano.

it's all beautiful. some just a bit less touristy.

we stayed in Castellammare rather than a larger city like Sorrento b/c it was cheaper (the hotel we stayed in was GORGEOUS...the only one I'll break my back to recommend Hotel La Medusa just know that you will have to take a taxi from the train (we walked it the first time and it was painful and not pretty.)

the town itself is very cute and was a great place to see the ruins at Pompeii from. we went to a GREAT GREAT restaurant there for dinner as well (the name escapes me, I will try to get it for you)

definitely take your time to see Capri. the LAST ferry leaves at 5pm daily (at least it did when I was there, but may be later in June) and we didn't get there until early afternoon, so our time was cut short.

if you have the ching to stay there overnight, do that (I don't ) or stay in Sorrento, which I believe has direct ferry service and may be cheaper (though it's relative b/c the whole area is fairly expensive)

Positano was also beautiful. we stayed at Hotel Posa Posa which was nice hotel, extremely kind and efficient and helpful staff...it just didn't blow me away, but it was a good nights sleep, a nice location, and a nice continental breakfast in the morning.

I will definitely try to get you some restaurant names...we were never disappointed in that regard.

the scenary is breath taking. definitely take a couple of ferry rides and/or hire you own boat. the views from the water to the town are almost as (if not AS) stunning at the views from the towns to the water.

and don't forget to have a pair of sandals made for yourself. I did. it was fun!

Re: Amalfi Coast?

We stayed in Sorrento - I think a Hilton actually and it was very nice. The Amalfi Coast is amazing! Have the best itme!

Re: Amalfi Coast?

DH and I were there in September and had an amazing time! The towns and views are breathtaking!

We stayed in Sorrento at a great hotel located on Via Capo. It had gorgeous views of the Sorrentine peninsula and Mount Vesuvius. From the hotel we were a short walk away from Sorrento's 'main square' and tons of great shopping and food.

We did take a day trip to Capri as well, and as Ophelia mentioned try to give yourself as much time (unless of course you can stay there) as possible. We arrived early and spent the day exploring...and eating . The one thing I found about Capri is that when you first get off the boat it is packed with tourists from the cruise ships and all the ferries. But rest assured, once you get off the beaten path you'll find some amazing, quiet areas to relax and take it all in. And if you have $$ to spend, plenty of high end shopping as well.

PS - I also had sandals made and it was fabulous! I can't wait to rock them this summer!

Enjoy & good luck with your planning!

ETA: I just remembered, my avatar is a photo from Sorrento.

Message edited 5/19/2009 10:54:05 AM.

Re: Amalfi Coast?

Posted by Ophelia

I just came back from there.

Naples, Pompeii (via Castellammare di Stabia), Capri and Positano.

it's all beautiful. some just a bit less touristy.

we stayed in Castellammare rather than a larger city like Sorrento b/c it was cheaper (the hotel we stayed in was GORGEOUS...the only one I'll break my back to recommend Hotel La Medusa just know that you will have to take a taxi from the train (we walked it the first time and it was painful and not pretty.)

the town itself is very cute and was a great place to see the ruins at Pompeii from. we went to a GREAT GREAT restaurant there for dinner as well (the name escapes me, I will try to get it for you)

definitely take your time to see Capri. the LAST ferry leaves at 5pm daily (at least it did when I was there, but may be later in June) and we didn't get there until early afternoon, so our time was cut short.

if you have the ching to stay there overnight, do that (I don't ) or stay in Sorrento, which I believe has direct ferry service and may be cheaper (though it's relative b/c the whole area is fairly expensive)

Positano was also beautiful. we stayed at Hotel Posa Posa which was nice hotel, extremely kind and efficient and helpful staff...it just didn't blow me away, but it was a good nights sleep, a nice location, and a nice continental breakfast in the morning.

I will definitely try to get you some restaurant names...we were never disappointed in that regard.

the scenary is breath taking. definitely take a couple of ferry rides and/or hire you own boat. the views from the water to the town are almost as (if not AS) stunning at the views from the towns to the water.

and don't forget to have a pair of sandals made for yourself. I did. it was fun!

Re: Amalfi Coast?

My god- I am so jealous just reading this post. Have a great time wherever you decide!

Re: Amalfi Coast?

DH were there last summer. The whole area is absolutely breathtaking! Definitely go to Capri. We spent two nights there in a B&B in Anacapri, the quieter side of the island. It was wonderful and so romantic. Capri Town is busier and full of high end touristy places, which we definitely visited, but found it so nice to go back to the quiet of Anacapri. (Buses run from Capri to Anacapri until 11 pm). We took a chair lift to Mt. Solara and then hiked down, it was beautiful. Visit Augustus' Gardens, where you can get great shots of the Faragioli. We went to a couple of beaches while there too. It was awesome swimming in the water, which was salty and so easy to just float around in. If you visit beaches, don't pay! Right next to the pay beach is a free beach that the locals use...same water, the only difference is that you have to lie on the beach (except the beaches are all rocky).
We loved the Amalfi Coast and found that the town of Amalfi was a central location full of things to do, but again, much more subdued as opposed to Positano. It's so easy to get around on the Amalfi Coast. They have a public transportation system (CITA Buses) and it's easy to hop on and off of them to travel up to Positano (which you should defiitely do!) and Ravello (beautiful town set up high, great to hike down to Maiori to the beach!) The food there was amazing, but in Campania, it's all so delicious-- so unlike Northern Italy! (Just don't expect great pizza, too far south from Naples) I really can't say enough about Amalfi except that DH and I talk often about going back one day...

BTW, we flew home from Naples, and it was really easy to catch a ferry back...don't take a cab, it's a rip off!

Message edited 5/22/2009 10:05:42 PM.