So my family is traveling to Italy for 2 weeks this summer, and we have already payed to rent an Opal Station wagon. How safe is it to drive along the Amalfi Coast? (Our hotel is in Positano) I am concerned about how safe it will be as this is probably not a very small car. Has anyone driven the coast and had problems? Or, Any words of wisdom about this drive? I won't be driving it, but I am TERRIFIED of my parents driving on it, cause it looks like it will be rather scary and complicated, just knowing the way Italians drive, and how narrow the road looks in the pictures.
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US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Sasha: This exact subject is being discussed right now in detail on another thread, click here clickto go to that topic thread. Especially see Sharon's posts, which give detailed reasons supporting what she's saying. IMO Sharon is not exaggerating--although the post she's quoting on the "Rules" was meant to be humorous, there's a lot of truth in it, as there often is with good humor. In his writing and videos about the Amalfi, Rick seems to want first timers to know that you do have a choice, you can leave your car in Sorrento and let the professionals drive the Amalfi Cliff Road so that you can enjoy the scenery, that's what you went there to do, not be stressed out by the driving.So go ahead and read everyone's posts, and don't be unduly persuaded by any wishful thinking posts intended to be supportive but which limit themselves to making short flippant remarks such as: "Just go for it!" but don't give any reasons for their recommendation (we only occasionally see these these posts on this site, they are a.k.a. "look how brave/great I am" posts). What's important to realize is you do have a choice in this: you could choose to cancel your rental car and do what a lot of travelers do, let the professionals do that part of the driving, so that the passengers can do what they came there to do, fully enjoy the spectacular views. This is what Rick recommends.People do this drive and they all seem to live to tell the tale. If you want to be able to do a little harmless bragging about exciting drives you've done, here's your chance. But the driver doesn't get to see any of the views and sometimes the passengers don't either, if they're tense. And then when you get to Positano and Amalfi, parking is a hassle. These are some of the reasons why Rick recommends letting a paid professional do the driving.