I will be arriving by plane in Rome and need to know the best way to get to the Amalfi Coast. Also where is good place to stay while there and is it worth spending much time there? Also, where is a good place to stay while traveling in Tuscany?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
By Train and Bus:
Leonardo Express train from FCO airport to Roma Termini station.
Freccia (high speed) train from Roma Termini to Napoli Centrale
At Napoli Centrale go to the Garibaldi Station underground. Purchase Circumvesuviana tickets to Sorrento, Take Circumvesuviana train (a commuter train) to Sorrento.
Once in Sorrento, take a SITA bus to the Amalfi Coast town of your choice (Positano is my favorite, but all are nice).
By boat:
From Naples, it is possible to go to the Molo Beverello (dock) and take a boat to Amalfi or Positano.
By rental car:
Rent a car in Rome and drive to the town of your choice on the Amalfi Coast. This is generally my preferred way, but some people are scared of curves, especially travelers from the Midwest prairies who've never seen a road with a curve or never driven on a hill (or have never seen a hill).
The Amalfi coast can be visited in a full day from morning to night, but nearby there are a lot more things to do and see, such as: Pompeii, Capri and the other islands of the Gulf of Naples (Procida, Ischia), Sorrento, Naples, Mt. Vesuvius, Paestum. You could easily spend more than a week there and not get bored. To me the minimum for that area should be 4 nights (3 full days), which would allow you to have one day for the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Amalfi, Ravello), one day for an excursion to Capri by boat and one day for Pompeii and Naples (at least the museum of archaeology, piazza Plebiscito and a pizza).
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Roberto is the expert on the above subject. I am not. You don't say when you're going to "Tuscany" and what your interests are or your budget. I recommend staying in Florence, because the city is so beautiful and has many sites -- and is also a transportation hub with both bus travel and trains to take you to other areas of the region.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Nancy,
Roberto provided excellent directions on the route you'll need to follow to reach the Amalfi Coast. You may also consider staying in Sorrento during your time there, as it makes a great "home base" for taking day trips to Positano and of course Pompeii, Vesuvius, Capri, etc. It's a beautiful city and has a good selection of hotels, restaurants, etc.
For your stay in Tuscany, I'd also recommend staying in Florence, as it's in Tuscany and also makes a good "home base" for sightseeing in that area. It's very easy to take a day trip to Siena by Bus (about an hour each way), so that's one trip you could consider. There are also many wonderful sights to see in Florence and again lots of good restaurants, etc.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta, GA, USA
70 posts
Thanks for all the good advice. I am leaving Atlanta on May 27 and will arrive in Rome the next day.
Posted by
Centerville, USA
4 posts
I would stay in Sorrento....we stayed at Hotel Nice (in Rick Steves book). By the train station!! Have fun!! Don't forget to try the lemoncello!!
Posted by
105 posts
Not sure if you have budget constraints or not. I recommend the Hotel California in Positano. Maria and her family were so hospitable. She even provided a parking spot for our car. Eat at Scirroco...amazing. And don't miss a boat trip to Capri and the Blue Grotto!
In Tuscany, if you want a country stay, I recommend an agriturismo - Villa Vignamaggio - near Greve.