Hello,
My husband, I, and our 11 year old son will be spending a week in Radda/Chianti in April (we plan to do lots of exploring around Tuscany that week) but then we will be driving from Chianti to Positano (in one day). I wanted to know if anyone has recommendations on the best driving route to take and good stops along the way. It looks as if it is about a 6 hour drive without stops but we plan on taking our time.
Thanks!
Hi Dannette! It looks like you will pass right by Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio. I've never been to Citiva but Orvieto is an incredible little hill-top town that is just lovely and I've heard similar things about Civita. I could spend days in Orvieto but it's worth a drive through if you're driving right past. My family also did this drive from Orvieto to Sorrento, and you'll also pass the Tivoli Gardens outside of Rome. I love the gardens and I'll bet they're gorgeous and not too busy in April. If it's not dark when you get toward Napoli maybe you could switch to a road along the coast? Might be scenic but my family just got on the coastal road at Napoli so I would check on that
It’s a long drive. Orvieto is a good choice for a stop, although you may not want to spend too much time. I’m not sure if you’d be comfortable driving the Amalfi Coast in the dark. It’s curvy and narrow.
For fueling, food, restroom pit stops I like to use the rest areas (Area di servizio) along the freeway. The Autogrill (the company that runs the concession restaurants and shops) is great. Autogrill is an experience every American should try. That is civilized traveling (I wish we had them on the freeways in California)
Not to quibble, but "Tivoli" is actually called the "Villa D'Este". It's in the same town, Tivoli, that has Hadrian's Villa, another out-of-town Rome attraction. Both can be seen by bus or train/local-bus, but are perhaps more convenient by car. I agree that Orvieto is very attractive, but perhaps not far enough along the trip to break it in half. The superhighway in Tuscany is only marginally more attractive than other superhighways. I would not take the car unless you have use for it after Tuscany.
If you are staying in Positano, you should make sure you have an affordable parking place for the car. I suppose traffic in Capagnia is better in April, but even by the last week in May, it is fierce.
Edit: Don't forget to make a schedule for your last day in Positano. You cannot (for example) reliably make a morning international flight in Rome, having slept in Positano.
We whole heartedly agree with Roberto’s suggestion of the Autogrill. I swear that is one of my husband’s favorite things about Italy. It’s always our first stop when we get a car in Italy. 😊😊 Just remember that if your getting anything in the cases, pay first and then take your receipt to the person behind the counter and they will get your panini or whatever for you. Otherwise you could be standing politely “in line” for eternity. (Not that I know from personal experience...)
Another aficionado of the Auto Grill.
Radda to Villa D'Este is 3 hours.
And would probably be interesting to your son. Pics in link below.
https://www.gardenvisit.com/gardens/villa_deste
From there to Positano plan on 3 1/2 hrs.
If you left around 9:00,had a 3 hour stop for lunch and the gardens, you could still arrive Positano about 7:30pm
On one trip our family drove from Montepulciano (Tuscany) to Sorrento and it killed me to just drive by Orvieto but we did. We then hit Orvieto and Civita on another trip. Civita would take awhile to get to as you have to get parked and go across the pedestrian bridge. You could spend a little time in Orvieto and see the cathedral but again by the time you drive up there and get parked you may feel rushed. Personally, I would take Roberto's advise and stop at the Autogrills for a break. We love the Autogrills--there are even some that have dining facilities built across the autostrada/road. We have had very good food here--pastas, paninis. Does the place you are staying in Positano offer parking for your car? My husband and I were last on the Amalfi Coast in mid-October 2017 driving from Paestum to Sorrento. Parking is a nightmare here. Cars were parked on the road forever coming into and out of Positano. We drove on by and took the boat here another day. Have a great trip!
