Last minute. Elder able couple will end cruise in Rome. 2 days there. Hidden gem hotel??
So fast train to Naples. Then train or driver depending . Want to book a base hotel or b&b on Amalfi coast from May 7th to 11 th where we can ferry etc to places but not haul our luggage. Sorrento , tho not Amalfi coast or ? Or 2 places would be better?? Capri? Then need to get back to Rome for hotel and flight on 12th. Airport hotel?
suggestions please of which town to be based in and hotels you recommend. Fave restaurants too if possible.
So much wonderful info on this site. Like spontaneous but this is a little crazy.
Thanks
Beth
Posted by
San Diego, California
5977 posts
Availability in the Sorrento/ Amalfi area is diminishing quickly for the spring. Book asap. Sorrento is a good base to access the area , I wouldn't change hotels. See Mondo tours ( RS favorite) for shared sightseeing trips and transportation to the airport.
There have been daily posts on this topic , so you're in luck. Just review the last few months of posts under the Italy section of the Forum. I think you'll find your questions have already been answered.
Safe travels!
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8141 posts
Please use the Search box top center to learn more about your question than you could possibly get from just one discussion.
where we can ferry etc to places but not haul our luggage.
I understand this question, but it sounds like you know that the day of porters in transit hubs is long over. Once you say "... some form of public transportation ... ", and not a driver with a slate that has your name on it, you are talking about "hauling" your luggage. Read multiple posts about the Circumvesuviana train, please.
Perhaps you already know this, and you simply mean that you don't want a hotel that is (as in Positano) 400 steps uphill from the closest mass transportation. You need to check with the hotel about luggage provisions, you need to allocate enough money for a taxi or car and driver, and you need to pick a place with the form of transit you "need" available.
Sorrento is mostly flat, but the cheapest (and bus-tour oriented) hotels are up on the hillside. Not everyone on this board is willing to pay for what they would, ideally, "want." Sorrento is a perfectly nice modern resort town, but it does not have the picturesque charm of the actual Amalfi Coast. You pay your money (and travel time) and you take your choice. As another noted, this close in, you need a list of six possible hotels before you start trying to book.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Would suggest if the Amalfi Coast is what you want to visit, train from Roma termini to Salerno. 2 block walk to ferry terminal then ferry to village of choice.
For lodging look at booking.com.
Amalfi is the transportation hub, but look at Vietri sul mare, Cetara, Maiori, Minori and Atrani. They are all connected by both bus and ferry. Ferry will save you time.
The town of Ravello is 1/2 hour from the coast, makes a great day trip, but with the short amount of time you have I wouldn’t stay there. Positano in my opinion is too much up and down stairs but it has amazing vista’s.
Edit: you could do Capri by ferry from Amalfi, 55 min. I’d do this on your last day, check your luggage at the ferry dock in Capri , then ferry to Naples and continue on to Rome for your last night.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Great solution. Will train to Salerno and ferry to Positano and use as base. Will need to find out frequency of that ferry and can buy ticket there, I hope. We are looking at options of hotels and apartments now.
Thanks
Beth
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Beth, use Trenitalia.com for trains. Rome Termini to Salerno 1H32m- 2H12m.
Ferry timetable. https://www.travelmar.it/en/timetable-from-april-2023
Bus timetable
https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/sorrento-to-positano-bus-schedule
Hopefully you don’t have much luggage, there is limited porter service in Positano and everything is up or down hill.