Amalfi Drive

we did the almafi coast bus ride yesterday and in our opinion it would be difficult to enjoy it while driving because the roads are so narrow and you are trying to squeeze thru the other traffic , buses , scooters, etc.. it's a beautiful drive that you would be missing out on. to each there own, but we think it would be a very stressful drive. good luck :):)

My wife and I will be in Sorrento this summer, and have hired a private driver from Rick Steves' Italy 2008, the Manetti family. It's not cheap (between 2 and 300 Euros for a day-long driver), but we will be taken anywhere along the coast, from Positano as far as south as Paestum, at our behest. And the driver, a native of the area, will also collect us at the hotel at 8 AM (we plan to return by 6 PM). We're staying in a less expensive hotel and skipping the gondola ride in Venice for this unusual luxury (at least for us), but my hunch is it will be worth this amazing day. Just another option to conisder.

I have just returned from Sorrento and made the Amalfi coast drive by bus last Thursday. There's no way in the world I'd consider driving anywhere in the Sorrento area let alone the Amalfi Coast drive! I was MORE than happy to be on a bus with an experienced driver. IMHO that driver was a very brave man!

OK, folks, you're making me a bit nervous! Thanks for the feedback.

Has anyone out there done the drive themselves? (And, lived to tell their story?)

Leslie,

I've driven rental cars in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Currently I live in Rome and ride a motorino which probably skews my "driving" values!

By far Naples is the WORST place to drive in the world. It almost led to divorce for my wife and I! Yet after driving in Rome and Naples we found the Amalfi drive pretty easy. Yes, if you're driving you WILL NOT be sightseeing. That's for passengers only. You have to be alert. So in our case, my wife would drive out from Naples, and I would drive back!

It's a narrow, winding road, with cliffs, drop-offs, busses that "honk" on some of the corners, etc.... but it was quite an experience! On that road busses are only allowed to travel in ONE DIRECTION (from Naples) because parts of the road are so narrow!

If you're up for adventure, then I say drive it. As for time of day, we've done all times of day and I would suggest go against traffic pattens TO Naples and Pompeii and you'll be fine! Good Luck!

Ron - Thanks for the feedback. The day that we're doing the Amalfi Drive, it will just be from Sorrento and back to Sorrento.

Day 1 with the car: We leave Rome, visit Vesuvius and Pompeii, then check into our hotel in Sorrento.

Day 2: Amalfi Drive

Day 3: Naples, via hydrafoil - no driving in Naples for us!

So, does the fact that we're just doing Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, back to Sorrento change things at all?

Thanks again!

Nope - that sounds like a GREAT trip. If you need an extra passenger let me know. I'll catch the train to Naples.

If you have any free time, Capri is a wonderful island and also a short hydrafoil away! Have fun!!

Leslie, I'm not sure what you mean by being up for an adventure but, believe me, driving the Amalfi coast is not High stress and adventure. My wife and I are in our sixties and drove it three times in 5 days while staying in B & B in Sorrento. Of course it was in October, not high summer. The drive is beautiful and if taken at a sane pace is a lot of fun. Driving your self is ultimate freedom, assuming you can find a place to park which could be a bit challenging. For instance, peeking into the church of San Gennaro and walking down to the shore in Proiano is a delight. Send me an email and I'll be happy to tell you more

Tony - Thanks for the positive feedback. I do like the idea of the flexibility afforded by having a car, but, as you indicated, it could be problematic when trying to park.

I am definitely interested in hearing more about your trips.

Thanks again to everyone for the helpful feedback.