We are planning a 2-week trip to Italy this November 15 - Dec. 1. (Rome-Florence-a week in Tuscany-Amalfi Coast, returning to fly out of Rome). We'll drop our car off in Sorrento for the last week, and plan to spend 5 nights in the Amalfi Coast area.
Questions:
- Is it wise to visit the Amalfi Coast without a car in November?
- Where should we go? (Sorrento 2 nights, Positano 2 nights?)
- Are 5 nights too long?
- Any tips on where to stay, how to get around would be so terrific! Thank you!
Posted by
martinez, ca, usa
2429 posts
hey debbie
do you land on nov 15 and fly out dec 1? so 2 nights rome 2 nights florence 7 nights tuscany and 5 nights amalfi coast. you don't need a carin rome or florence, make sure parking available, free or pay and how far away, ZTL, do all drivers have an IDP (equivalent to your driver's license) from AAA for renting car.
aloha
Posted by
OP
7 posts
We are doing 3 nights Rome, 1 night Florence, 7 nights Tuscany (maybe at one place), 5 nights Amalfi Coast, back to Rome to fly out.
Wondering: Should we stay all 5 nights in Sorrento on Amalfi Coast?
Thanks!
Posted by
Atlanta
1001 posts
You don't need a car for the Amalfi coast, but I've been there the first week of November, and there's a remarkable decline in activity on the day the calendar rolls from October to November. We hired a Monetti driver for a day driving the Amalfi coast, but boat tours to Capri ended, the ferry schedule almost ends, and the shops in Sorrento start closing down. We had a lovely four nights in Sorrento at Villa Monica, but it was after a busy two weeks in Venice, Tuscany, and Rome.
IMO I wouldn't trade so short a time in Rome and Florence for days during a pretty dead season on the AC.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Ruth, that's helpful. I might re-think some things.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16695 posts
Debbie, IMHO 1 night in Florence is hardly worth the effort: it's a great city. Is this your first time in Italy? What sorts of things are you interested in?
No, you don't want a car for Rome or Florence. It's only beneficial for the Tuscan countryside and maybe the Amalfi Coast at the time of year you're going as the ferries will not be running to Positano or Amalfi, and have limited runs between some other locations (daylight will be short). Late November weather could be sketchy on the Amalfi Coast as well: November is the wettest month of the year, and temps could range from comfortable to darn chilly. Personal preference, maybe, but at that time of year I'd likely choose locations which offer more indoor attractions/activities - and there are few of those on the A.C. - should the weather be uncooperative.
I'll disagree with just two nights in Rome: that one requires a minimum of 3 full days/4 nights just to scratch the surface unless what it has to offer has little interest for you.
Posted by
OP
7 posts
Thank you for the suggestions. We're going to change our plans to 3 nights in Rome, 2 nights in Florence, 7 in Tuscany, with 3-4 nights remaining (TBD). It sounds like the Amalfi Coast might be dicey in late November. Thank you for this!