Hi everyone.
We are doing about a week in AC. Would like some suggestions/advice.
We plan on getting to Naples. Then head down Capri by ferry. Spending two nights in Capri. Ferry to Sorrento and hiring a private driver/transfer to take us to Positano so we can enjoy the coastline. We are spending 4 nights in Positano. Plan on going to Amalfi and Ravello one day (or should we split it into two days, one for each?). What/where else should we do with our time?
Thanks.
You will LOVE the Amalfi Coast! We chose Salerno as our home base since it is a hub for buses, trains and ferries. We did go to Sorrento for the sole purpose of eating at Delfinos in Marina Grande right on the harbor. It is a Rick recommendation, and it didn't disappoint. The only reason we took a train to Naples was to go through the Archaeological Museum prior to our trip to Pompeii. It was wonderful! The next day we toured Pompeii, which is a easy train trip from Sorrento or Salerno. It might be more of an ordeal from Positano which has no train station. Positano is breathtaking from the water. Be sure to take the ferry to Amalfi and then the local bus up to Ravello! The view from Ravello is amazing. Be sure to tour
Villa Rufolo there. I think you can probably see both Amalfi and Ravello in one day, but I would go to Ravello first thing in the morning before it gets crowded as it is a small village. Then return to Amalfi to see what you want to tour. We did not visit Capri, so I have no input there. If there is any way to avoid the local train, the Circumvesuviana, I'd do it. We took it once, and it was a side show of panhandlers, unruly teens who popped on and off and has a reputation for thieves. People were locking their luggage to anything to stop thugs jumping on, grabbing their luggage and jumping off. There was no conductor taking tickets or maintaining order. I had read about this train beforehand, and we tried to avoid using it. Alas, we had to take it to get to Sorrento as the ferry was not in service to get there. Have a wonderful time!! We did!
Good to see more folks basing in Salerno. Sorrento's pretty sweet to base in as well, have done them both on different trips.
We took the Circumvesuviana 4 times when we based in Sorrento, but always during the day. Yes, occasionally it was a little unruly with panhandling musicians playing badly. If they had been even tolerable I'd have tipped them. But they were drunk, and I ignored them as did everyone on our car.
If you’re not using Sorrento as a base, then there’s not much reason to go there at the cost of Amalfi Coast time. Doing all that so you ride the coast road feels complicated. The ferry ride from Capri to Positano is plenty scenic, and nothing compares to pulling into Positano from the sea.
You don’t seem to have any time set aside for Naples/Pompeii/Herculaneum so I assume it’s just a matter of sightseeing priorities. Otherwise, Naples deserves a day.
Ravello was a real highlight, you could spend a whole day there for sure.
You can take a ferry directly to Positano from Capri--there is no point to go to Sorrento to get there if that is your goal. You can take a bus or ferry to Amalfi. We did both at various times. I liked the ferry better but then we had better weather that day. Ravello is not on the coast so you have to take a bus there (or other form of road transportation).
Positano has a rocky but pleasant beach where you can rent chairs. We spent one day there. We divided our time between Amalfi and Positano (2 nights each) but if I had to do again, I would have stayed four nights in Amalfi and day tripped to Positano. We day tripped to Ravello from Amalfi. We actually walked back to Amalfi which was interesting. Positano is all steps and shops.
Beth
We did this itinerary last summer and in hindsight we should have spent three days in Capri, not two. We were worried it would be a tourist trap (it is, but still beautiful and fun) and we would hate it so we only committed to 2 days. We spent one full day in Capri proper (the lower part of the island, with all the chic stores, etc.) and the full second day in Anacapri. This left us no time to swim off the island or visit the Faraglione.
I don't know how familiar you are with the area, but Anacapri is the higher part of the island, much quieter, still gorgeous and much more authentically Italian. It deserves it's own day especially if you want to break for lunch/aperitivo.
I would personally do three days Capri if you have never been, and then split the remaining day between Ravello and Amalfi.
