We are planning on spending 4-5 nights someplace on the Amalfi Coast the last week in April next year and need some guidance and suggestions. Not sure if we should spend all 4-5 nights in Sorrento, or split the nights into two differnt towns. Below are things to consider: 1. We will be leaving Rome by train (could be early morning or late afternoon depending on the plan) 2. Really want to see Paestum, either Pompei or Herculum, and Postiano. 3. Capril sounds like a fun day trip by boat. 4. My husband gets car sick, so a bus ride on a windy cliff side road down the coast to Postiano, Amalfi Town, and to Salerno/Paestum could lead to divorce. 5. Are the ferry's boats running the last week of April? Thinking that might be a good way to get to/from Postiano and Amalfi from Sorrento. How does one find out about schedules? 6. Driving on windy roads is fine for my husband so renting a car could be an option to drive the coast. Or alternatively hiring a private driver might work. Then we can control when to stop, speed, and my husband can sit in the front seat. 7. Seems like a day trip from Sorrento to Paestum and back would be a lot of time on a train. Maybe train from Rome to Paestum, spend 1 night, then to Sorrento the following day for 3-4 nights (or in reverse).
8. End our vacation by flying out of Naples at 1pm to Frankfurt after the 4-5 nights on AC. We'd take train to Naples that morning from the AC. Would appreciate any and all ideas based on your travels on the AC.
Posted by
Portland
3635 posts
We used Golden Tours for a tour of Paestum. I didn't want to drive because of how long it takes from Sorrento. The guide was very good, and the bus took a route that did not involve the infamous Amalfi Coast highway. I looked into taking a train, but it's very time consuming and complicated. You have to get to Naples first, because none of the AC towns you mentioned is served by Trenitalia. Someone on this site or Tripadvisor's Forum gave the details, if you want to check them out. However, it seemed really impractical to me. The tour cost 40 euros/pp, and we thought it was a very good value. Your idea of going from Rome to Paestum by train and then to the AC actually sounds better to me than the other options.
Posted by
Victoria, BC, Canada
372 posts
Just back from 4 nights on Amalfi coast, based in Sorrento. We did not do Paestum or Herculum, but did the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. We hired a driver (Raffaele Monetti, as recommended by RS) and he was fabulous. I too get car sick, but found sitting behind the driver on the way south and on the passenger side heading north was perfect. I don't recommend doing this drive yourself - there is too much to see, and parking in the coastal towns is horrendous. Raffaele was fantastic, stopped many times along the way for pictures, and hooked us up for a great lunch in Ravello. We had a guide in Pompeii - plan on 3-4 hours here. It's an easy and cheap train ride from Sorrento. If you want more details PM me.
Posted by
Farmingville, New York, USA
381 posts
We did the Amalfi coast a few Aprils ago. We rented a car in Rome and drove. I enjoy driving so and hate buses so it suits me well. It takes a day to get use to the roads but once you do it really isn't horrible that time of they year. Pompei is right on the way so easy to visit Capri is a very nice day trip. Leave an entire day. Be patient with parking and driving isn't so bad. Most people swear by public transportation so it really depends on your individual style. I prefer to drive.
Posted by
Ipswich, MA, uSa
1 posts
Karen, Sorrento is a wonderful base for the Amalfi Coast; there are many hotels and it is a great walking town. Plus, the ferry to Capri, Naples, Amalfi leaves from the port, and the train to Naples and pompeii is also right in town. However, if you truly want to experience the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi might be a nice secondary base. From Amalfi, you can easily reach Ravello by public bus, and Positano (and Capri) by boat. Actually, in April, boat schedules are limited, so make sure you check before you go. I would highly recommend Pompeii with a private guide. The archaeological area is so large, and having a private guide will help to tailor the tour to suit you. If you don't mind driving, in April roads and towns shouldn't be unbearably crowded. It's an amazing drive!! Hope this information helps. Best, Vicki
Posted by
goldsboro, nc, usa
101 posts
We spent time on the Amalfi Coast last month. To make the most of our time we hired Mr Monetti for 10 hours. He took us from Sorrento all the way to Paestum. It was our whole familys favorite day of our trip. We found him in Rick Steves book. Have fun!!
We loved Sorrento!!
Posted by
OP
Monterey County, CA (formerly Verbania Italy-Lago Maggiore)
1630 posts
Does anyone know if Mr. Monetti has a way to contact him via email? Or have you arranged for a tour in advance of your trip? Thinking that we take the train from Rome to Paestum in the morning so we can see the ruins in the afternoon and spend the night. Then see if we can arrange for Mr. Monetti to pick us up in Solerno the following morning and have him drive/tour guide us up the coast and ending the day in Sorrento. Once in Sorrento we'd have 4 more nights to do Capri, relax, Pompei, etc. But for this to work, we'd have to arrange the day with him well in advance of our trip. Alternatively we could do the reverse and end our trip in Paestum and take the train to Naples the morning of our flight out.
Posted by
Baton Rouge, LA, United States
56 posts
His email is monettitaxi17 at libero.it - I would definitely book in advance. We have a day trip planned with him to Amalfi/Positano/Ravello next month - we can't wait!