Sorrento or Positano for touring Amalfi area?

[runaround]

I would greatly appreciate any advice about visiting the area of Amalfi. We are trying to decide where to stay , looks like Sorrento has many nice hotels that are affordable. Also looking at Positano as a possibility. My husband refuses to stay in Naples after reading various blogs about the area. Has anyone visted the Amalfi area that can offer any advice as to the best location to see the sights? Also, what about Capri, is it worth the trip, or is it overrated? Would you suggest taking the train from Rome or is it safe to drive in the Amalfi area? Thanks for any input.

Runaround

[mary-j]

Runaround, my sister and her husband have been to the Amalfi coast 3 times.I cannot remember the names of the hotels she has stayed in but they are coming to our house tomorrow evening soI will ask her abouther time there and about Capri too. I know she has definately spent some time in Sorrento. We have actually stopped off at Naples while on a cruise but only spent the one day there, butI do remember thinking how beautiful the scenery was. Will try to get as much info as i can tomorrow evening. Are there any hotels in particular you are interested in?

[lhbrown]

Hi runaround,

We are going to be in Naples this March. I booked us rooms at the Grand Hotel Vesuvio which is supposed to be pretty nice and we are planning to take a day drive via hired chauffeured car around the Amalfi coast. Everybody says do not drive in Naples or at the Amalfi coast, there are sometimes as many as a dozen cars backing up on the steep and narrow roads to let a tour bus pass.... Since your husband does not want to stay in Naples, there are some first class hotels on the Amalfi coast. Have a look at the LL's Word's Best and click on BestDrives and then on Amalfi Coast Italy. There you will find the current offerings of the Furore Inn Resort. There is a Best Shot Auction on right now for 5-days at the Furore Inn Resort for a 5-night stay in a Jr. Suite, incl. daily breakfast and a 7-course dinner and a spa treatment.There is also a daily shuttle between the Furore Inn Resort at the Fjord of Furore and Amalfi. I believe the Best Shot auction runs around $1899.00 for 5 nights for 2 people.

There are also:
Hotel Le Sirenuse, (www.sirenuse.it) a unique deluxe hotel in an 18th century villa, still owned by the family of the Marchesi Sersale. The hotel is centrally located in one of the best hillside spots in Positrano, overlooking the beach. Quite elegant and intimate European charm are reflected by the antiques and keen attention to detail throughout the hotel. Most rooms have a balcony overlooking the sea. Their panoramic restaurant features seasonal menus based on traditional Napolitan cuisine. There is a heated swimming pool open from April 1-Oct.30. and:

Hotel Santa Caterina (www.starnet.it/santacaterina) A superb, privately-owned hotel in a stunning location, the elegant Hotel Santa Caterina is stylish and luxurious with service to match. The hotel is situated at the summit of an extensive property which begins along the Amalfi Drive and tumbles down to the water on a series of bougainvillea cascades with vast lemon and orange groves covering numerous natural terraces. All guest rooms have air-conditioning, telephone, refrigerator, hair dryers, satellite television and a private terrace. The suites are most striking of all, each fully equipped with a jacuzzi and hand-painted ceramic tiles. Breathtaking views may be had from the restaurant, bar and lounge. Two elevators whisk guests down to the swimming pool and bathing platform built at sea level.

Capri is well worth it and you can take a hydrofoil there from Sorrento or from Naples.

[runaround]

Mary J - Thank you so much for your response. I would love to have advice from someone who has visited the area. Presently, I am looking at hotels in Sorrento, Parc dei Principi, Grand Hotel de la Ville and the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori. Also in the Amalfi area, I am interested in the Santa Caterina as they offer a 3 night package that seems affordable. It is difficult to decide exactly what area is the best for sightseeing and walking into the various towns for dinner. I will be anxious as to the response you get about what to see and do in this area. Thank you for your input!



Runaround

[runaround]

Hey, LL travelfan: Thank you, too, for your insight into the Amalfi area. Sounds like your trip is around the same time as ours and will include many of the same destinations. I have looked into the Sirenuse in Positano, isn't it beautiful? Way too expensive, I wish LL had this on their site at an affordable price.

I like the looks of the Santa Caterina, waiting to see what Mary's sister says about it. I am convinced that we need to see Capri after your message , sounds like I'd be sorry if I missed it. Must be worth a day trip there. I also checked ou the only deal on LL in this area, it is really expensive and I only need 3 nights, so it is overpriced for me. This Community Forum is great, I have really planned my Italy trip based on the feedback from everyone who knows the areas and has specific recommendations. We are also going into Rome for 4 nights, I understand you booked Hotel 47 (read that in an earlier blog you wrote), it looks like a great location and a good price. Who knows, I might bid on that one, too! Thanks again for the info. We need to compare notes when we return, ok?



Runaround

[mary-j]

Runaround, when my sister was in Sorrento they stayed in the hotel Grand Capidomonte. They thought it was very beautiful with amazing views from their balcony to the Bay of Naples and Mt.Vesuvius. They were only about a ten minute stroll from the shops which were really quaint. Not sure about the cost of staying here asI forgot to ask her. On another visit they actually stayed in a much cheaper hotel in Positano called Villa Rosa. It was much smaller and although not as luxurious, the rooms were very nice and the views were absolutely amazing. One of the restaurants that they really loved was called Caffe Positano. She also said that if you do go to Positano you must visit a hotel called il San Petro Di Positano(thinks that is the name). It is really beautiful and for a special dinner you should try their restaurant. She said it is probably the best meal she has had anywhere, expensive but well worth it for the experience. I had asked her about Santa caterina but it was not one she remembers. From what i have seen though of the Amalfi Coast, I don't think you can really go wrong wherever you stay. The whole place looks absolutely beautiful and the views are to die for in my opinion. Sorry,I could not be of more help. Be sure to let us know what you decide on.

[lhbrown]

Hi runaround,
Yes, it looks like we will be in Italy about the same time. I was sorry to see that there was so little on LL for the Naples/Amalfi area. I did think the 5-days offer at the Furore Inn Resort in a Jr. Suite, incl. daily breakfast and a 7-course dinner and a spa treatment was pretty good, it included quite a bit of extras. This LL properties has various offerings, some of them better than others. I found the auction the best priced. You have to watch for it. I do think Capri would be worth a day trip at least, and I think that is what we will do out of Naples.
I have been to Rome several times. The first time we stayed at the Hotel Raphael, right behind Plaza Navona. We loved the hotel and its location. LL offered a 5 night auction for $999. It was a steal. Unfortunately, the Raphael no longer participates in LL offerings, and without LL it is way too expensive. We settled for the Hotel Fortyseven being the most reasonably priced LL offering in Rome. The location is good with everything being in walking distance and it has received lots of excellent reviews. I will know more after we have stayed there.
Are you still planning to do some hiking in the Cinque Terre area? It was breathtaking when we saw it last year, but you can reach the 5 little towns only on foot. What other areas are you going to visit? Yes, lets compare notes by all means.

[runaround]

Mary J. Thank you so much for the information your sister gave you about Amalfi. I will definitely check out all of the hotels you mentioned. Please tell her "Thank You" for me. I will let you know when we return how everything went, ok? Thanks again!



Runaround

[runaround]

LL travelfan: We changed our plans as to going to the Cinque Terre and opted to head South from Rome, instead of going North. We went to Venice, Florence and Rome last April and loved our trip so much, we decided to go back to Rome to see what we missed. After looking at the distance to the Cinque Terre, we decided to visit the Amalfi area. I haven't booked our hotel in Rome yet as we are trying to decide whether to go into Amalfi from the airport when we arrive or head to Rome first. Our plan is to arrive in Rome April 18, spend until the 29th in Italy, then we fly into Prague for 4 nights at the Maxmillian Hotel, them home. I will definitely check out everything you have mentioned about Italy and Capri. Thank you so much for your input, it has been extremely helpful. Keep in touch, please.



Runaround

[lhbrown]

Hi runaround,
This will be our third trip to Rome. We too had been to Bergamo, Venice, Florence, Siena and Pisa on the two previous trips. We are serving as "tour guides" for two of our friends. We are flying into Milan/Bergamo from Paris and then on to Florence, Rome and Naples spending 15 days in Italy, although a month earlier than you. I should be able to report back to you before you leave, although by then you'll probably have made all your hotel reservations. Rome has so much to offer. Last time we were there, we did a lot of the private galleries and palaces, like the Doria Pamphlia which was outstanding. In preparation for the trip I had read "The Agony and Extacy of Michelangelo" and "Angels and Demons" by Dan Brown. Both books were excellent, especially the one on Michelangelo which gave me a much better understanding of Michelangelo's masterpieces.
We also discovered a wonderful small restaurant called "Terre de Sienne". It was a small family run place and the owners were from Sienna. It was located just behind Plaza Navona. We had excellent, authentic Italian meal for not much money.