In September we'll be on the RS Southern Italy tour, and after the tour is over, we'll be spending 4 days (3 nights) in Salerno before returning to Rome for one night and our flight home the following afternoon. We've already purchased the plane tickets and paid the deposit on the Salerno B&B and Rome hotel, so all of the above is non-negotiable.
On the RS tour we'll have a free day on the Amalfi Coast (I believe we'll be in Maiori) and another free day when we're in Sorrento. At the end of the tour we'll have the majority of our travel day free (Naples to Salerno will be a relatively short trip), then two additional full days free, and then the morning of the final day (I imagine we'll either take a direct train at around noon or at around 2 pm). I've been kicking around how to spend the 2 free days on the tour plus the free days after the tour, and my initial thoughts are the following:
1. On our free day in Maiori on the RS tour, take the ferry to visit Amalfi and visit Ravello as well.(It appears that we arrive in Maiori on the evening of the Torello Festa dell'Incendio. I don't know whether we'll be able to see the fireworks from Maiori or whether our tour guide will arrange anything for those who want to see the fireworks or not...of course that would be an added bonus!)
2. On our free day in Sorrento on the RS tour, stay in Sorrento and explore the town....since we won't have an opportunity to return to Sorrento this trip.
3. On the day we arrive in Salerno, spend the entire day exploring Salerno.
4. On the next day, take the ferry to Positano? Is there enough to do here for a full day? Or return to Amalfi?
5. On the next day, take the ferry from Salerno to Capri? I know it's a much longer ride than from Sorrento, but if we were to go to Capri on our free day on the RS tour in Sorrento, we'd miss out on exploring Sorrento). Is Capri worth a day? We could also spend another full day in Salerno. Or?????
6. On the morning of our last day, spend the time in Salerno.
I'd love your thoughts on this, as well as suggestions for alternative plans. Obviously bad weather might scuttle some or all of this.
I'd also love your thoughts on whether to return to Rome on the earlier (noon) train or spend a few more hours in Salerno and return on the 2:00 train. It will be late September, so dark before 7:00.
Thanks!
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
6108 posts
Why no Paestum?
Is that included on tour?
5 is confusing but I think you meant “exploring Sorrento” not Salerno?
OK- so Paestum is on tour, good.
We really enjoyed our time in Sorrento but the town itself doesn't really have many "sights"
The town is the sight, we did spend a full day just wandering around and chilling (we had 4 nights) but with 2 evenings there you could still see most of the town itself.
There is the inlaid wood museum -
http://www.museomuta.it
that is open til 6:30- if that is on your list you could still go to Capri that day - get an early start and you can easily be back in Sorrento by 4. Or visit it after your Pompeii visit. Only needs an hour or so.
The ferry from Salerno to Capri is 2 hours- ugh- you will see some lovely scenery so it's hard to say- I'd prefer going to Capri from Sorrento. You might prefer just an easy day in Sorrento instead. Either works.
We spent just a few hours in Positano. YMMV. It's tiny, lots of high end shopping.
We found Amalfi and Ravello far more interesting. Villa Cimbrone was well worth the easy walk from Ravello center- not sure you could fit that, Amalfi and Ravello all in 1 day without really crunching time.
The Amalfi cathedral is worth a visit- the cloisters/museum is quite well done. There is also the cemetery up the hill- there is a lift- that was interesting as well.
Weather will be a determining factor as ferries might not run- you might have to play it by ear- you don't need to buy ferry tix in advance- watch the weather- if your Sorrento free day is the best day weather wise- go to Capri, just in case your Salerno day is not a good day weather wise?
I think a full day plus all of your evenings in Salerno would be enough. I'd head to Rome on earlier train- but we love Rome ;)
Posted by
OP
Ithaca, NY, USA
674 posts
Christine -- yes, Paestrum is included on the tour. I'll make the correction above....clearly not using my full brain today!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
For your free day in Maiori, think about going to Either Amalfi and Ravello, easily reached by ferry. Or do Positano (lots of steps and boutiques) and Ravello one of the prettiest towns with the most breathtaking views.
I don't know why you'd wait to travel to Capri from Salerno.
Do the Day trip to Capri from Sorrento, its only a 20-30 min. ferry ride. After arrival, head immediately up to Anacapri. Taxi is the fastest and most comfortable. More expensive than the bus, so share if you can with tour mates.
You have a group dinner this evening, just check what time you need to be back to go with the group. I'm sure others will elect to do this too.
Night 1. Tour ends morning of the 13day?
Short 42 min. train to Salerno. Drop luggage and explore Salerno.
Keep in mind Salerno is a city of 120,000 the old city center is worth exploring.
https://www.livesalerno.com/blog
If you have an interest in Gardens, this small one is worth a stop. https://www.livesalerno.com/minerva-gardens
Night 2. Visit one of the Amalfi Coast villages you missed. Bus to Vietri sul Mare 15 min. Cute village, nice beach, great restaurants and beautiful ceramics. Spend late afternoon and evening back in Salerno.
Night 3. Today visit Minori and Atrani by Ferry then back to Salerno.
Day 4 train back to Rome.
Edited.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Ferry timetable.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15591 posts
Minori is walking distrance from Maiori. On the main street is Sal de Riso, the best pastries in Italy! The gelato is also good.
Posted by
Indiana
973 posts
There isn’t enough to “tour” for a whole day in Positano. We stayed there 3 nights, but spent several hours on the beach, leisurely lunch, leisurely shopping. Night time is beautiful when all are gone...again, leisurely cocktails and dinner, I think it’s more a kick back place, at least for us.
Posted by
886 posts
I’m with gerri in regards to Sorrento & Capri. Sorrento is not a place that requires exploration in any real sense. Go to Capri as early as possible, get up to AnaCapri and you will miss most of the crowds. I would not do Capri from Salerno. Aside from the long (but scenic) ride, you will end up in the crush of day trippers.
I spent quite a bit of time in Ravello, and probably enjoyed it most of any place. I would try to maximize your time there, as it does take a little effort to reach. By this, I guess I mean skip through Amalfi on your way to Ravello. You may still find the time to explore Amalfi later that day, or it could make a “one-two punch” Positano-Amalfi day on your free day. There’s not much to “see” in any on these towns. Exploring them at your leisure is the goal. You’re well positioned to do that.
Posted by
OP
Ithaca, NY, USA
674 posts
Hi everyone -- this is really helpful advice! So here's the proposed itinerary version 2:
1. On our free day in Maiori on the RS tour, spend the day in Ravello (either take the to Amalfi and go to Ravello from there, or take the bus directly from Maiori to Ravello). Also try to get to the bakery in Minori!
2. On our free day in Sorrento on the RS tour, head out early for Capri. I'll need to do more research about the best things to see/do on a day visit.
3. On the day we arrive in Salerno, spend the entire day exploring Salerno.
4. On the next day, take the ferry to Positano and Amalfi, enjoying the ferry ride and exploring a bit of each village.
5. On the next day, possibly return to Ravello or any of the other towns we especially enjoyed. Spend the evening in Salerno.
6. On the morning of our last day, spend the time in Salerno.
I'd love additional thoughts on the pros/cons of returning to Rome on the earlier (noon) train or spending a few more hours in Salerno and returning on the 2:00 pm train.
Chani, thanks for the bakery tip in Minori! I'm always on the lookout for a good bakery!!!
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Ruth, Sal de Riso's is an almost an overwhelming experience. Be sure to take a few delicious items back to Maiori with you. And stop again any following days.
Posted by
Darmouth, MA, USA
352 posts
So glad you decided on Capri, I hope to return shortly.
My suggest is to head straight up to Anacapri, wander the town, grab the chairlift and enjoy because the crowds stay down in the town of Capri, the shopping destination. You can grab a taxi or take the little local bus, stand right there at the ferry terminal. One of my most hilarious events was the boarding of that bus. Hopefully, that would leave you time to visit the gardins of Augusto!
Posted by
886 posts
I think you’ve cracked it, Ruth!
My only additional note: I enjoyed the hour boat ride around Capri (minus the Blue Grotto, it was closed) and thought it was a decent value. I did it early in the morning and still missed the crowds. The views from Monte Solaro were the real highlight and worth every bit of the effort,
I think you can play your last day in Salerno by ear, but I would think you’ll have see enough of the place by that time.