Amalfi Coast: Recommendations?
Discussion
Hi all,
off to the Amalfi Coast late September, can anyone make a recommendation re:
- Particular places to visit (and the best way of getting there)
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Any areas to avoid
?
Current plan is -
Fly to Pisa
Pisa to Naples on the FrecaRossa Business class (can't believe how cheap that is for 1 hour 1st class on the regional, then 4 hours Business on the FR - cheaper than Bristol to London FFS!)
Private transfer to Sorrento (local train looks cheap but as we are arriving at 5'ish into Naples I want it to be hassle free - don't care about traffic jams so long as I'm sat in our own private space in A/C comfort!)
Hotel Tramontano, Sorrento front looking over bay of Naples and close to the centre/boat transfers
off to the Amalfi Coast late September, can anyone make a recommendation re:
- Particular places to visit (and the best way of getting there)
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Any areas to avoid
?
Current plan is -
Fly to Pisa
Pisa to Naples on the FrecaRossa Business class (can't believe how cheap that is for 1 hour 1st class on the regional, then 4 hours Business on the FR - cheaper than Bristol to London FFS!)
Private transfer to Sorrento (local train looks cheap but as we are arriving at 5'ish into Naples I want it to be hassle free - don't care about traffic jams so long as I'm sat in our own private space in A/C comfort!)
Hotel Tramontano, Sorrento front looking over bay of Naples and close to the centre/boat transfers
Wife and I always have a week's holiday somewhere in Italy in September. We stayed in Sorrento in September 2010. Sorry to say we did not rate Sorento very highly in comparison with other places in Italy where we have been based, one being Ravello which is also in the Amalfi area. (We have stayed in Ravello twice and almost booked to go there again this year.) The two good things about Sorrento is that it's an easy train ride to Pompeii, well worth a day's visit, and for taking an organised day trip to the island of Ischia for the sights, the Walton Gardens, lunch etc.
We also stayed in the Tramontano, top floor, room overlooking the Bay of Naples, with a balcony, same as you. The hotel, facilities, location etc were excellent. If you have arranged your Naples to Sorrento transfer with the hotel you need to know that the cost they charge is really high, something like €200 each way and you pay cash to the hotel concierge who will probably take his cut.
The worst thing about Sorrento is that the cruise liners stop there, sometimes three a day, so Sorrento gets far too crowded: they get everywhere. Consequently, the restaurant prices are also very high: a modest pasta based lunch with wine for two in an small restaurant alsways seemed to set us back about €80. An evening meal in a quality restaurant for two was €140 plus.
I see that you're going to Italy via Pisa. We have also stayed in Pisa. Pisa is a one day town, any more and there's nothing other than the obvious to keep you occupied, in our view. Well worth a day there, though.
For what it's worth, this September we're going to be in Lucca.
R.
We also stayed in the Tramontano, top floor, room overlooking the Bay of Naples, with a balcony, same as you. The hotel, facilities, location etc were excellent. If you have arranged your Naples to Sorrento transfer with the hotel you need to know that the cost they charge is really high, something like €200 each way and you pay cash to the hotel concierge who will probably take his cut.
The worst thing about Sorrento is that the cruise liners stop there, sometimes three a day, so Sorrento gets far too crowded: they get everywhere. Consequently, the restaurant prices are also very high: a modest pasta based lunch with wine for two in an small restaurant alsways seemed to set us back about €80. An evening meal in a quality restaurant for two was €140 plus.
I see that you're going to Italy via Pisa. We have also stayed in Pisa. Pisa is a one day town, any more and there's nothing other than the obvious to keep you occupied, in our view. Well worth a day there, though.
For what it's worth, this September we're going to be in Lucca.
R.
Went to Sorrento a couple of years back and agree with all of the above. TBF you can find some nice, inexpensive eateries in some back streets but it's a hassle/ gamble trying to locate a decent one - in general they're either over-priced OR you get some s
tty tourist menu flung in your face, and then upon asking for the 'proper' menu, it's still somewhat uninspiring/ the service is decidedly average!
I still loved the place (it was a great base for Pompeii, Positano etc. with beautiful scenery and plenty going on) and would stay there again if money were no object, but we did it on a budget and there were plenty of seemingly nicer places to stay along the Amalfi coast!
tty tourist menu flung in your face, and then upon asking for the 'proper' menu, it's still somewhat uninspiring/ the service is decidedly average!I still loved the place (it was a great base for Pompeii, Positano etc. with beautiful scenery and plenty going on) and would stay there again if money were no object, but we did it on a budget and there were plenty of seemingly nicer places to stay along the Amalfi coast!
Oh, and a few other random bits and pieces:
Il Vallone dei Mulini - Deep Valley of The Mills, Sorrento by Ultuous, on Flickr
- Sounds like you're sorted, but for future reference there's a coach from the Airport to Sorrento (which was about a fiver I think) - was much more comfortable/ hassle free than the train (which we took on the return leg)
- Pompeii is must
- We took a trip out to Nerano one day and had a simple but very lovely meal in the restaurant on the beach, was one of the highlights of the trip
- Amalfi itself is very pretty (though like Sorrento, very busy with tourists!)
- I happened upon an old mill complex in the heart of Sorrento - quite amazing IMHO (the photo below doesn't do justice to the fact that it's slap bang in the middle of shopping area!) - it's easily missed but worth seeking out if you're in the area!
Il Vallone dei Mulini - Deep Valley of The Mills, Sorrento by Ultuous, on Flickr
Got married in Sorrento and had the reception at place called Relais Blu which is about half an hour drive up the mountain. It was a few years ago now but was incredible.
www.relaisblu.com
www.relaisblu.com
Stayed in Sorrento last week. The Ascot Hotel, it's used by the package hol companies, but is well worth a personal booking. We payed 70 euros a night for an air conditioned room with decent view (mostly pool)and service and food are pretty good for standard of hotel. Also. it has a roof terrace with a wonderful sunset view towards the bay. We went to Sorrento from Salerno, and I know many people think the drive is wonderful, but I thought it was a nightmare! You miss all he scenery because you're concentrating so much on the drive! But, it is scenic beyond words, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Just got back from 12 days on the Cilento coat which is just south of Amalfi, on the other side of the bay. Been there several times and love it. Went to Sorrento/Amalfi/Ravello once and whilst beautiful, the tourist crowds put me off. I prefer where we go as less touristy but just as beautiful. Sat on the terrace in the evenings watching the sun set over Capri and the lights of Sorrento twinkling across the bay.
I actually recommend a boat trip to Capri for a day. Capri is hideously expensive but lovely.
I actually recommend a boat trip to Capri for a day. Capri is hideously expensive but lovely.
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