Several people on this forum (and other places) have suggested the Blue Grotto on Capri is difficult to get into during high season (August for me). Are there other grottoes worth getting a tour to from Amalfi Coast? The Esmeralda grotto? Green Grotto (I assume these are different). Just wanted my kids to experience something like it.
We are also going to Croatia after Italy where you can take all day tour of a "Blue Cave" but this is all day and very expensive.
Thanks
I strongly advise you to take to heart the negative reviews people have given regarding the Amalfi Coast grottos. We took the Emerald Grotto tour. It was the worst tourist trap I have ever experienced. (You can read the details by clicking on my name.). There is no Esmeralda Grotto. In addition to being really cheesy, the the Green tour cost a lot, as does the Blue.
I skipped this based on a friend's recommendation. It was a greater joy just to hike in Capri and wander around its lovely narrow winding alleys. There is a monastery you could walk to as well for beautiful views. I didn't miss the hassle of getting a boat to the Blue Lagoon (yes, unfortunately it is a high-priced tourist trap).
I skipped this based on a friend's recommendation. It was a greater
joy just to hike in Capri and wander around its lovely narrow winding
alleys.
I'll second this, Erin. Based on reviews/complaints we also skipped the grottos during our stay on the island and didn't feel like we'd missed a thing. There were better things to do with our time and $, and some of those - such as the path up to the ruin of Villa Jovis - were very nice departures from the tourist hordes in the town centers and the Blue Grotto. Your teens might also enjoy the chairlift to the top of Mt Solaro? It will be very, very busy as well but it's a fun, not-scary ride, and the view at the top is expansive.
And no there isn't a separate " Esmeralda grotto". You probably mean "Grotta dello Smeraldo", which is the Green Grotto.
Okay, thanks everyone. Could anyone recommend a good inexpensive boat tour of the coast?
In addition to splurging for chairs one day on the beach, I was also going to take the ferry ( 30 Euros for all 4 of us one way) from Amalfi to Positano ( so we could see the coast a little from the sea) then take a bus to Ravello. This is my homemade version of a day tour. Any other suggested itineraries for a family of 4? We are not avid hikers but do like exploring:)
We skipped the Capri grotto. That was mainly because we had already enjoyed the (a ?) Croatian grotto (from a small cruise ship, so it didn't take all day), and also because of the time-consuming nature of the Capri grotto. Lots of people skip it because there is so much time-consuming (if, pleasant) walking on highly pedestrianized Capri.
Our car-and-driver for the Amalfi Coast (240 euros, 8 hours from our hotel in Sorrento) recommended the Green Grotto, and it took little time (since we were in a car anyway, and didn't have to park it) but I agree that it is quite missable. We did not do "The Path of The Gods". Have you looked into that? How come you didn't mention Pompeii?
I don't think the Amalfi Coast is overrated, but I think that some visitors may overrate certain things. For example, how many of the same international clothing boutique chain do I need to look into the window of? Is a shopping strip nicer just because it's on a lovely island? Let me confess that one of my must sees was the hotel La SIreneuse, which is a famous upper-crust destination. We had to sit in the non-guest part of the bar for our outdoor drinks, and we enjoyed the view. But I'm glad we didn't spend the money necessary to sleep there. And I (very personal opinion) do not need to sleep on the A.C. As an East Coast USA resident, and frequent Caribbean visitor, I'm not impressed by the crowded stone pebble beaches and cold water. (I'm not slamming the AC, just responding to your question.)
