Hello. Our family (6 adults) will be traveling to Italy, for the second time, in September 2017 for at least 2 weeks. Our first trip included more popular tourist sites (Rome, Florence, Venice) and now we would like to see other areas. We would like to rent a villa in Tuscany and another on the Amalfi Coast that are close to train lines. Not against taking local trains to get to fast trains to get N and S. Any advice on towns that fit that bill? Thanks for your help and any and all suggestions.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8079 posts
The Amalfi Coast has zero trains. It requires extra time, trouble, or money to get to and from. Look into that issue, and the less gorgeous alternative of Sorrento, with an eye to what you will do there. If you are going to Capri, Pompeii, Sorrento, and Naples, you don't want to stay on the Amalfi Coast. If you want to lie on a pebble beach chair (payment required) all day, stay on the Amalfi Coast.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
If you rent a villa in Tuscany, you'd better rent a car as well, because those type of accommodations are not near a train station, or even in town for that matter.
If you don't want to rent a car, I recommend that you base yourself in Florence, or maybe Siena, to take day trips to smaller towns.
The Amalfi coast is not served by rail. The closest stations are in Salerno, which is served by the national train company Trenitalia, or Sorrento, which is served by the Circumvesuviana commuter rail line to Naples, a separate private rail line. From Positano and Amalfi you can take a boat to Capri. To visit Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Vesuvius or Naples, you'll need a bus to Sorrento or to Meta di Sorrento, and then catch the Circumvesuviana train from there. It takes a bit longer than from Sorrento, but my preference is the Amalfi coast to Sorrento. If you rent a car for the Amalfi coast, you can also drive to all those locations, except for the island of Capri, which is closed to non residents' vehicles. Parking in the Amalfi Coast is limited (and expensive), if you rent a car inquire with your hotel if they have parking or arrangements with local garages.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
There is no substitute for the Amalfi Coast. Hotels may have beach access or give you passes for beach chairs. You can take ferries to several towns, or buses (much cheaper). You can visit Ercolano, Pompei and Capri from Napoli or from Amalfi/Positano.
Posted by
OP
40 posts
Thanks for the information. Sorrento may be our better bet as well as making a home base in Sienna or Florence. My husband and I have decided to extend our stay by a week and spend some time in Sicily. We have been to Taormina, which we fell in love with, and may return for even just a day. Any other suggestions?