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Early September Rome and Amalfi Coast

A friend and I are in the initial planning stages of a 2 week trip to southern Italy and need some guidance. I have just watched Rick's Amalfi Coast show, but since it was filmed in 2006, I am concerned that some of the recommendations may be out of date and would love some current intel. We plan on flying from the States to FCO around the first of September and staying in Rome for 2 nights before heading south.

At the moment we are considering basing in Sorrento for 3 days/nights then moving to Positano for 3 days/nights, and finally to Amalfi for 3 days/nights. We love hiking, but looking at the vertical nature of the towns, we would probably be fine to just walk the streets for entertainment and fitness. Definitely want to spend a day on Capri and visit Paestum, still researching other sights.

Hiring a car and driver for our moves between towns would be our preference over taking the bus. At the end of this segment of our holiday we will be making our way up to Lucca to meet up with another friend for a few days. I imagine we will travel by train from Rome to Sorrento and Amalfi to Lucca.

Any glaring problems with this framework? Recommendations for hotels and dining also appreciated!

Posted by
6488 posts

Unless you just especially want the experience of being in both Amalfi and Positano at night, you could choose one or the other. Paestum is difficult to visit from all of those locations, so you could look into doing it on a travel day, or swap for a base closer to the mainland end of the Amalfi coast, such as Salerno. You can take train north from Naples or Salerno.
Try to use ferry more than bus, to save some money on the private transfers. September is still high season, and you will likely want the respite of a hike to escape the villages.
You can visit Capri from Sorrento. Any interest in Pompeii?

Posted by
58 posts

Honestly, I just sort of threw a dart at the map to select bases, so all suggestions are welcome.

Yes, Pompeii is of interest.

Better to base in 1) Sorrento, 2) Positano or Amalfi, and 3) Salerno and visit Pompeii and Capri from Sorrento and Paestum from Salerno?

Definitely open to ferry travel vs private transfer or bus.

Posted by
6488 posts

Read through the forum (tons of posts on this) to get a sense of the usual itineraries and think about how you want your days structured with the transport realities.

Posted by
8605 posts

Can you afford $100+ for each car booking? This is an expensive area. Sorrento has the best public transportation. You don’t want to visit Pompeii from Amalfi, for example. There are no trains in Amalfi [town].

Don’t miss Ravello.

Posted by
35 posts

A number of years ago we trained from Rome to Sorrento, found a LOVELY small BnB type lodging right on the water (https://www.marinapiccola73.com/), within walking distance to the ferry. (Certainly not for the infirm! There is a trek uphill.) We easily used the ferry to travel to the gorgeous Capri, and the Amalfi coast. Check the ferry website to research all its stops. We LOVED it!

Posted by
117 posts

I would pick either Positano or Amalfi and spend 3 days on Capri.