Fat car on the Amalfi coast?

[Smifffy]

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking of going down to the Amalfi coast for a mini Euro hoon in early November. My wife will be coming along for some of it, so for that bit I'd like to find a lovely hotel where I can park the GTR somewhere near or in Sorrento.

So questions for the PH massive;

- Can anyone recommend a suitable hotel with good parking?
- Will a fat car be a problem on the Amalfi coast roads?

Thanks!

[Garlick]

Fat as in wide?

[mybrainhurts]

There's a rock sticking out low down on the Amalfi Drive that took out my sill in the 1960s. Might not be there any more, just saying...

Everything forward and trust in the lord...

Edited by mybrainhurts on Monday 22 October 03:08

[2.5pi]

http://www.hotelsantacaterina.it/

Fab hotel

[aww999]

When I went the coast roads were clogged nose-to-tail with tourist coaches. I doubt a GTR will be as wide as those, so it should fit fine. It might be quiet enough to have some fun in November, but the views are so awesome that you won't be too upset if not!

[Smifffy]

Yes, Fat as in wide Garlick. Not as in phat yoof speak - I'm definitely too old for that and I don't own a cap

Thanks for the recommendation on hotel 2.5 - I'll check it out.

Any others? I'd like somewhere reasonably special, with parking so we can either leave the car and forget, or not worry about it being bashed out on street.

Don't mind if it's in the town or outside...

Thanks!

[Smifffy]

@2.5pi - Looks interesting - Did you stay there? Do they have parking at the hotel? Thanks

[rallycross]

Your car will be great fun if you can get some clear roads, most of the time you will be stuck behind coaches and local buses. The nicer hotels have decent parking or you could use the big car parks at the top of the towns eg Positano.

[Wacky Racer]

If a big tourist coach can negotiate the coast road you won't have a problem.

Beautiful part of the world....You'll love it.

[sneaky schnell]

When we were there we stayed at Casa Angelina and Hotel Caruso in Ravello, both of which I highly recommended.

http://www.casangelina.com/
http://www.hotelcaruso.com/web/orav/hotel_caruso_r...

I drove a rental Mercedes and there were some tasty cars in the carpark although it was fairly tight. It is a lovely area but the roads are fairly narrow with many of the corners furnished with mirrors so you can see if there is a bus approaching. I often found myself inhaling deeply as the buses passed me very closely. Thankfully there was no contact but for once on a holiday, I was glad to be in a rental with lots of insurance.

[2.5pi]

Smifffy said:

@2.5pi - Looks interesting - Did you stay there? Do they have parking at the hotel? Thanks

Yup stayed there a week, nose in parking in front of the hotel well back from the road but by the front door, trad hotel but fantastic modern suites in the gardens, James Bond style lift down to the private bathing area, great swimming, alfresco lunch restaurant carved into the cliff just steps from the sunbathing area, swimming fantastic, great formal dining in the evening with a romantic terrace. We also stayed at the Hotel Caruso which was more formal and on top of the cliff so no sea bathing, tried la sireneuse sp? , too crowded sun beds on top of each other and tiny pool.

Cheers

[chilistrucker]

lovely place to visit.
wonder if the stray dog still frequents the town square?
gets fed ice cream everyday by one of the restaraunts

[mig25_foxbat2003]

One of my favourite places in the world. Sorrento itself will be fine for the GTR, but beware of local urchins on scoots. Drive like a local and you'll be fine, but I couldn't absolutely guarantee it won't get dinged... One (slightly wussy) option would be to park it and hire a beat up Panda for the duration of your stay - you'll go just as quick, if not quicker, and you won't worry about getting t-boned by a kamikaze local.

Hotel-wise I can't help (stayed in a Crowne Plaza in Castelamare Di Stabiae on Priority Club Points - bit rubbish but free) but I can definitely recommend this restaurant for a bloody good pizza. So good we went back twice. Nom.

[Bonefish Blues]

On the theme from another poster, avoid the problem by driving somebody else's car. Some beauties here:

http://www.spiderlifestyle.com/en/our-cars/

[davepoth]

mig25_foxbat2003 said:

One of my favourite places in the world. Sorrento itself will be fine for the GTR, but beware of local urchins on scoots. Drive like a local and you'll be fine, but I couldn't absolutely guarantee it won't get dinged... One (slightly wussy) option would be to park it and hire a beat up Panda for the duration of your stay - you'll go just as quick, if not quicker, and you won't worry about getting t-boned by a kamikaze local.

That was going to be my suggestion, and I don't even think it's that wussy. Maximum attack at 15mph is going to be much more fun than idling along in first and cringing every time you see another vehicle at 16mph.

[Smifffy]

Cheers guys.

I've decided to do a day down the Amalfi and a few days down in Sicily.

Should be an epic trip - I'm driving down from the UK over the Alps at Zurich and then down to Napoli. A day trundling around Amalfi before jumping the car onto the ferry over to Palermo.

Wife then flies in to spend a few days knocking around Sicily and Palermo. Should be 19-20 degrees still at that time of year. Found a hotel where we can park/leave the car.

After a few days deposit Mrs Smifffy back at the airport before scooting back onto the ferry to Napoli and driving up through Italy via Florence. Pick up one of my mates, drink vats of Tuscan wine, drive to Burgundy/Champagne. Drink more wine. Drive home.

Any other suggestions for things to see along the way welcomed - Bear in mind it'll be early/mid November. The latest edition of Evo seems to have a few interesting roads with Catchpole-san.

[2.5pi]

At the risk of sounding like a travel agent have you thought of this hotel;

http://www.orient-express.com/collection/hotels/gr...

Has 2 car parks and is a fantastic spot in the heart of Taormina next to the amphitheatre, great pool gym etc as well as a superb restaurant , we loved it and also went to their sister beach hotel although November may not be ideal for that one..

Cheers , sounds like a great trip!