[Travel] The Amalfi Coast

[Binney on acid]

I'm thinking of taking my fiancee to the Amalfi coast for a week next May. I've marvelled at the sights of Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, Ischia and Capri in a previous life, but my fiancee has never been to that part of Italy. I know that NSC is an unparalleled source of travel information, and would appreciate your help. We won't be hiring a car, but would like to see as much stunning coastal scenery in a week as possible, without bankrupting ourselves in the process.
We'd like to fly from Gatwick. I have a feeling that we'll have to fly to Naples. I don't think Solerno is an option until later next year. Staying in one location would probably make it difficult for us to visit all of the towns that we want to see, and having to fly into Naples and return to Naples for departure might also restrict us.
Please wise folk of NSC, can you offer some relevant travel suggestions. Must see places and places to avoid could prove invaluable to us.

 

[Nobby Cybergoat]

Amalfi Coast you say?

Left Back?
Wag pics?
Highlights reel?
Complicated song?

 

[NigelTaylor82]

Be wary of the lemonchello (spelt wrong probably) they offer you after each meal in most of the restaurants in Positano, it’s an acquired taste !

Don’t look out the taxi or coach going up the winding narrow mountain roads !

But it’s a lovely part of the world. Beautiful scenery, weather, food & some lovely small boutique hotels. Enjoy.

Ps loved Capri,

 

[astralavi]

Most likely you will fly to Naples, I wouldn't bother with the airport bus, long queues and over crowded, 6 euro each, taxi instead to the train station should be 20 euro

 

[ditchy]

I'm thinking of taking my fiancee to the Amalfi coast for a week next May. I've marvelled at the sights of Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, Ischia and Capri in a previous life, but my fiancee has never been to that part of Italy. I know that NSC is an unparalleled source of travel information, and would appreciate your help. We won't be hiring a car, but would like to see as much stunning coastal scenery in a week as possible, without bankrupting ourselves in the process.
We'd like to fly from Gatwick. I have a feeling that we'll have to fly to Naples. I don't think Solerno is an option until later next year. Staying in one location would probably make it difficult for us to visit all of the towns that we want to see, and having to fly into Naples and return to Naples for departure might also restrict us.
Please wise folk of NSC, can you offer some relevant travel suggestions. Must see places and places to avoid could prove invaluable to us.

The hydrofoil ferry around the coast is good and you can also go to Capri

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

Lovely area.

BUT, very busy - especially Capri.

 

[ROSM]

You will likely fly to Naples. When we did this we stayed in Ravello and got the local bus down into amalfi where we then got buses to pompeii, naples, sorrento, positano, maiori and minori etc or the hydrofoil as it was then to ischia and capri.

Some wonderful hotels and restaurants in ravello each night. Was also where Gary Lineker married his second wife (Danielle Bux).

We stayed Residence La Villette which was reasonable

 

[NutterDave]

Weve stayed in Sorrento by flying into Naples. Taxi between them is doable. We also visited Pompeii, Ravello and Capri all from being based in Sorrento. All very doable and well worth it. Sorrento was a great base too as there are plenty of different restaurants

 

[dejavuatbtn]

We’re off to Sorre to in October. looks like there is plenty of interesting things to do as well as eat and drink well. Pretty sure most hotels in the area are agents for multiple choices of trips to wherever you want to go and plenty of transport available if you want to make your own arrangements. Google searches are wonderful things and you should be able to sort out your ideal itinery from the luxury of your armchair.

 

[raymondo]

You will likely fly to Naples. When we did this we stayed in Ravello and got the local bus down into amalfi where we then got buses to pompeii, naples, sorrento, positano, maiori and minori etc or the hydrofoil as it was then to ischia and capri.

Some wonderful hotels and restaurants in ravello each night. Was also where Gary Lineker married his second wife (Danielle Bux).

We stayed Residence La Villette which was reasonable

Another shout out for Ravello as a stay for part of your trip

 

[aftershavedave]

Ischia is fabulous, Naples is rough and ready and fabulous!

 

[shingle]

Back in the day I used to do all the brochure photography for some UK tour operators and I love the Amalfi Coast. May is a lovely time to go. If cost is an issue I would base myself in Salerno and migrate out daily to all the coastal towns by the frequent buses that do the coastal road. Positano is my personal favourite, but its a long walk down to the beach area from the coast road. Amalfi town, Ravello and Minori are lovely too. Good choice, cant go wrong with Italy.

 

[Doug-ees-evil]

Went pre-kids, so crikey.. probably +23 years ago. A fantastic trip though.
Based in Sorrento, did Positano (great), Capri (lovely but busy), Pompeii and walked to the crater's edge of Mount Vesuvius (awesome). The Amalfi coast itself is spectacular.

The highlight was taking the bus to Positano early in the morning (a hair-raising, multi-hairpin, seat-of-the-pants bus ride I might add), and the best bit was haggling with local fishermen/boat people to hire a 6-person basic motor boat. We toured up and down the Amalfi coast all day on our own steam – which was amazing – and avoided all the tourist mega-boat experiences. Only dropping anchor every now and then for some snorkeling and lunch. This boat haggle tip was courtesy of a TimeOut guide I had, so I'm not sure if this 'winging it' experience will be available today. Worth a try though?

Such a memorable day, made even more memorable by running out of fuel two miles out to sea and having to be rescued by a few friendly Germans in a passing speedboat (couple of bikini hotties and two ripped guys in budgie-smugglers). Very grateful to those kind people who transferred fuel to us and off we went. Happy, happy days.

To complete the holiday, we bumped into the entire Sampdoria squad in Naples airport on the way home. I got Lombardo and Mancini's autographs : -)
Hope you have a similarly great trip!

 

[Pavilionaire]

A good shout is to fly into Naples and hotel in Sorrento. The airport bus is good to and from.

Not only does Sorrento do buses to Positano and Amalfi but it also does boat trips to those places, and Ischia, AND it is the end of the line for the train to Naples which has a station at Pompeii.

 

[Weststander]

We stayed in Sorrento, a easy taxi ride from Naples. Also a simple train journey to Pompei from Sorrento.

Loved it, one of our favourite holidays.

 

[Mr Bridger]

Will be interested in this as we’ve booked a flight out to Naples in October. Haven’t booked anything after that. Looking at getting the ferry down to Sorrento for a couple of days, taking in Pompeii while we’re there.
Then looking to go up to Rome then onto Florence. Eventually want to end up getting up to Milan and making our way up to Zurich via the Bernina Express.

 

[US Seagull]

Just recently came back for a few days in Positano. Beautiful place.

 

[Birdie Boy]

I flew to Naples and stayed there. Easy train from there to Pompeii and Sorento. I need to go back and do more!

 

[trueblue]

One year, flew to Naples. Bus then ferry to Ischia for best part of a week. Island with hot springs. Then another ferry via Capri to stay in Sorrento for a week, taking boat trips down the coast, with a coach back to Naples Airport at the end. Very good trip and not difficult to organise independently.

 

[maltaseagull]

Be wary of the lemonchello (spelt wrong probably) they offer you after each meal in most of the restaurants in Positano, it’s an acquired taste !

Don’t look out the taxi or coach going up the winding narrow mountain roads !

But it’s a lovely part of the world. Beautiful scenery, weather, food & some lovely small boutique hotels. Enjoy.

Ps loved Capri,

I love limoncello but would also recommend Averna which is less sweet.