Almalfi Coast Tips Please

Take the bus to Amalfi, change buses and ride up to Ravello - gorgeous scenery. Then you can ride the bus back down or hike down into Minori. Ride the ferry from Amalfi back into Positano - the water views are spectacular and not to be missed while you are there.

Hike the amazing Path of the Gods. We rode the bus up to Nocelle and followed the signs for Sentiero degli Dei - the hike is a highlight of the Coast. We followed the path down into Praiano. Look up pathofgods.com and neverendingvoyage.com blog for photos and directions of the hike.

Take the cooking class at Mama Agata in Ravello - her lemon cake is to die for and the drop dead views from the cooking terrace are amazing.

Go to thriftygypsytravels.com to see the hiking directions to the hidden Bagni della Regina Giovanna green swimming hole out of Sorrento.

Capri is delightful - just get away from the shopping street and you will be surprised by the beauty ! We did 5 hikes on the island, including the hike to Arco Naturale and the Via Krupp Augustus Gardens. Take the bus up to Anacapri to ride the gondola up Mt. Solara to view the Faragolini Rock and hike back down into Anacapri. Or take a boat ride from the ferry dock around the island - it would be a spectacular way to see the island if you don't like to hike.

all good suggestions, however you might want to use the ferries ( where possible once you are there- providing they are running- weather permitting) as the sita buses can be PACKED, we were there a few days ago and the line up for buses were crazy. at positano people where waiting in the sun after not being able to get their first bus. luckily we got on our first bus. but we were like sardines. so be very much prepared for transport options. ( particularly anywhere near positano) places like sorrento and amalfi were not too bad, but cruise ships did make walking around town difficult. try and get out of the town centre to avoid the crowds.

We used the car service Simply Amalfi to pick us up at Naples train station and drive us to Positano and return to pick us up the following week. The fee was 110euros one way for both of us and it was the best money we spent on our month in Italy!!! We are not travelers who normally hire a private driver but decided this was worth the splurge. Even with an experienced, local driver the trip was full of traffic congestion, construction and an accident that required all traffic to back down the entrance ramp to the "interstate" into a round about!!! I asked the driver if this was normal and he said unfortunately yes. Both of our drivers, coming and going, were polite, informative and very friendly and the company is very easy to work with and will get back to you promptly either by phone or email.

http://www.simplyamalfi.com

As far as Capri is concerned, we found it to be the least favorite of our day trips. It was very crowded, even if you get out of the town center, and you are always concerned about getting back to catch the last ferry if you wander to Anicapri. The busses back to Capri from the outlying areas were packed and most were full by the time they got to our stop at the bottom of the chairlift. We chose to bypass the Blue Grotto.

Thank you so much everyone for the tips, all very helpful!

I forgot to ask if you have any recommendations for restaurants in the area? Did any of you spend time in Naples? We have a free day where we are not sure where to stay, i am thinking maybe spending some time in Naples would be nice.

Thanks again!

Monica

Bar Bruno Positano is a nice outdoor restaurant with the iconic Positano view. It's about halfway up. The seats sit alongside the little street next to the fence.

My wife and I just left and had a wonderful time!

For Capri, we did the Mondo Tours Rick Steves boat special which was 9 hours for 80 euro (per person) which is worth the splurge. We saw the Blue Grotto, Green Grotto, White Gratto, and Coral Grotto. We swam in the Mediterranean, which was cold but amazing. Plus we got 4 hours to tour the island (the views from the top are amazing!). They even pick you up from your hotel and provide lunch and a beer.

Positano is amazing and the Sita bus was fun (we did not have to wait long) we got on at Sorrento (we really liked Sorrento).

The trip from Amalfi (town) to Ravello was great, but we waited forever for the Sita bus - consider taking the pink bus (I think it is city tours) to go up. The views are amazing.

Other than the Cathedral, There isn't much to do in Amalfi. We agreed we could have skipped it (the hotel Floridiana was great, though!).

We went to Paestum and it was amazing. A little bit of a haul, but if you like Roman and Greek history, you've got to see it! The Roman ruins don't get much of a highlight, but you are free to explore pretty much anywhere and we were finding neat pieces of history, like the mosaic floors and parts of the original outer wall coverings.

We loved Positano! We had a great day trip there from Sorrento. Relaxed on the beach and people watched.

Have a great trip!

You can take a ferry to Positano from Naples as well if you do not want the traffic even with a driver, or take the driver down ferry your way back up to Naples via Capri.

That said, unless you are going to see Paestum and really tour around A/C...two nights is probably enough....to see and enjoy Positano and Amalfi. IMHO Day trip just a few hours to Amalfi, if you want to go to archeological sites Paestum...or see Herculaneum on the way back through Naples, very easy!

2 nights Positano
1-2 nights Capri...this is beyond worth seeing..I have spent a week at a time here over many years and love going back....daytrippers have a skewed opinion of the island...even if you only stay one night before heading to Naples...it will be romantic and magical at night when day trippers depart....it should be done at a relaxed pace...

visit Naples for archeological museum and Herculaneum can be done on same day... departing from here early, stay here 1 night

Pack flat cheap water shoes the sea bottom is rocky to the point that you cannot get in or out w/o them..and you won't find much to choose from especially late in season or for U.S. sizes

Try the small beach club, very basic chairs but great restaurant in Positano called D'Adolfo..look for RED FISH on boat in port for a free 10 minute ride up the coast stay a few hours, changing room, and outdoor open shower to get grime off. bring towels

Just my two cents. I agree with mmoris... Don't pass on seeing Capri. We also took the Mondo tour - just a wonderful day. We spent a week in the Amalfi area and welcomed the respite from the touristy cities.

Have a great trip!

Take a private driver it is easy to reach and stopping where you want to take pics:) We have toured in passion4travel.net company