Need help with Amalfi Coast itinerary

Okay, this is my honest opinion and I'm sure it will raise the ire of many posters, but here goes. I did not like Sorrento. I expected it to be somewhat touristy, but it was insane. I tell people it was about as Italian as an Olive Garden. We traveled in late September and the place was mad. Cruise ships ped off gaggles of people who clogged the streets and the car fumes were horrid. That said, Sorrento is convenient to get to, easy to walk around and is a good base for the rest of the coast. Since you have plenty of time, you may want to opt for Capri. The island is great for walking (you must go to Villa Jovis for nice ruins and excellent views!), has an okay beach and plenty of food options. In the evening you can sneak over to the Blue Grotto for swimming when the tour boats stop. Positano has an okay beach but is rather small and out of the way so you may get a little restless if you like to explore. However, the bus can take you along to the other towns. So, for me, if you can afford it, I would stay on Capri and maybe do a day trip or two to the mainland. If you're after a more budget option and don't mind crowds, then stay in Sorrento. Or, since you have so much time, divide your stay between the two. Be warned though, the ferry over to Capri can be a little crazy with people crowding to get on and off (seriously, even old ladies were pushing people out of the way!), just linger back and let the maddening crowd go especially if you're carrying luggage. The boat won't leave without you.

Well, we chose to rent an apartment in Positano in June, based on the amount of activities, ease of transportation to other places, the beauty of the town and the personal recommendation of a friend who lives on the Amalfi Coast.

I was in Sorrento last week for the first time and fell in love with it. Absolutely romantic. So it really depends on the time of year. There were very few tourists and I felt that I was in a picturesque Italian town. It was a convenient location to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum and even Naples because it is on the Circumvesuviana train line.

Thanks all for your help. Dale - thanks for the suggestion. I was thinking of splitting my time between the two so glad to hear you recommend that. I will also check out the hotel recommendations. Faisal

We holiday in Sorrento in April/May and Oct/Nov each year because it is too hot and too busy for us in the summer months but we still like a little life about the place. The cruise ship crowds, a fairly recent (10 years or so) addition, have had an impact and not just in the summer. In 2010 there were four moored on the day we arrived in the last week of October! However, the passengers have more or less gone by the early evening. And if during the day you are off somewhere sightseeing or like us on some days, putting your feet up reading a book and enjoying the view at your accom you will miss most of them. Most of the shops are open till 9pm so you can join the townsfolk and enjoy the town then. You could always split your time between Sorrento and somewhere on the Amalfi Coast. I would not as a personal choice base myself in Capri unless I wanted to spend most of my time there. The crossings to the mainland can be crowded and expensive as well as restricting, there are no night services.

We found it convenient to split it between Sorrento and Positano - 3 and 3. Positano (Hotel Villa Franca on the top of the hill) for r&r, the spectacular views, and day trips to Amalfi & Atrani, etc. Sorrento for day trips to Capri, Pompeii, etc.

I would base in Positano, it is a great little town. But if you are going to be there for 6 full days, I'd spend one or two nights in Capri. There are lots of fun things to do in Capri that you can't squeeze into one day trip. And the town is much more pleasant at night when the crowds leave. How are you getting to Amalfi? My wife and I went from Naples straight to Pompeii, spent the day at Pompeii, then went on to Positano. There are lots of options for transportation connections in that area, make sure to do some research on how you plan to get around. Circumvesuvia train, bus, boat, etc.

www.exodus.co.uk/holidays/avg/overview Suggest you look at the above link where you will find a British tour company called Exodus and this a holiday that I have done twice. You stay in a delightful hotel up behind Amalfi, you are taken on sightseeing trips on 5 of the 6 full days you are there including Capri and Naples. Give it a read over. Breakfast and evening meals included. Oh and one day walking to Positano..absolutely the highlight of the week. Trust me.

I would give Isle of Capri a big miss Its a tourist trap. Much prefer Ischia which is near Capri. And Ravello would add onto Amalfi visit. Enjoy!!!