Looking at prices, looks like Rome. We are likely ditching Venice, but would still like to do the other 3. I realize we are losing a half day heading to Amalfi, but I’m not sure when we’ll ever get back. My sister recommended someone who can apparently pick us up in Naples (or Rome, for more) and take us to Amalfi while kind of serving as a guide for a few days. The luggage thing concerns me- my wife generally needs a full size roller bag even when we go to Vegas for 4 days. I know that’s not the norm in Europe, but I’m not sure of a way around it. Packing recommendations? Other thoughts?
i could type for a while, but i always suggest doing your airport city last, for ease. i.e., if you are going home from rome, spend your last nights in rome. jamny i think is an amalfi savant, but there are so many little places to hit, it can be time consuming imo. i am headed to positano for 4 nights and pretty much sticking to positano. they have water taxis they go town hopping. i am taking car service to and from the naples train station, here is a brief amalfi guide for reference;
Sorrento: good for cliff gazing at Vesuvius and there’s a charming fishing village; this was our homebase and it was probably my favorite place.
● Bagni della Regina Giovanna: incredible little beach cove with incredible views. It’s not close to downtown, you would probably have to take a cab up to the path that leads you there. There is a little sandwich shop/gas station with decent food if you wanted to grab something and make a day of sitting around here. There are a few ruins as well.
● Piazza Tasso: name of the main square
● Chiostro di San Francesco: nice church to sit and look around
● Marina Grande- Antico Borgo Marinaro: apparently the place to eat, sit around, beach it
● Villa Comunale: great place to watch the sunrise/set
● Cattedrale di Sorrento: beautiful cathedrals
● I Giardini di Cataldo: **the place for limoncello; walk through a lemon grove to get here
● Museo Correale di Terranova: more modern museum (16th to 19th century)
● Basilica di Sant’Antonio: some dark medieval paintings and other oddities; dates from 11th century and the oldest church in the town
● Restaurants: Il Buco (absolutely exceptional; I think it has a Michelin star; we sat outside, if you eat anywhere in Sorrento this place should be it); Grand Hotel Aminta Dafne Outdoor Restaurant (great seafood and pasta dishes; also more out of the way of the main town, but good); Ristorante Bagni Delfino (this has high ratings for Sorrento, but I think this was just average; nice experience though); Fuoro 51 Winebar; Accento Restaurant; La cantinaccia del popolo;
Ravello: hilltop garden paradise, famous for it’s music festival; we did not go here, but it was recommended to me by multiple people; it seems like this is the place to go for the best views
● Villa Cimbrone Gardens: 7 euro entrance; 9am until sunset; gardens at a hotel, I think you can come and drink here. The gardens were redesigned in the 20th century by English gardener Vita Sackville-West. They are considered among the most important examples of the English landscape and botany culture in the South of Europe; the end of the central path ends in the Infinity Terrace, called one of the most beautiful views in the world by Gore Vidal. Hotel is a 12th century residence and a 10 minute walk from city centre; cannot be reached by car
● Villa Rufolo: 7 euros, breathtaking views, beautiful gardens. 14th century tower marks its entrance
● Le Ville di Ravello: Great walk to it, scenery, views
● Ravello- Atrani Walk: challenging walk but great views
● Duomo di Ravello: 11th century cathedral with incredible detail
● Ceramiche d’Arte Carmela: ceramics shop
● Camo: Cameo shop with a museum beyond the showroom
● Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer: modern looking building that people either love or hate
● Restaurants: Mimi Bar Pizzeria, Vittoria
Capri: you can take a ferry to Capri from Sorrento (or any other place) for about 13 euros. There are a number of things to do here, mainly from the boat (I Faraglioni, Green Grotta, Blue Grotto, etc) and I definitely recommend a boat tour (one of the shorter, meaning ~2 hour, ones).
● Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra): Some boat tours have the cost included, but if you’re going alone its 14 euro to get in the grotto. It will be a very quick row boat in and out, but the rowers are fun and the scene inside is truly one of a kind on this earth
● Giardini di Augusto: 1 euro. Small but beautiful.
● Marina Piccola: a beach away from the hustle of the main island on the “backside” of Capri; you can take a cab here and it is definitely worth it; the area is more secluded, the drive there is beautiful, you can rent a little locker and just sit on a chair all day, and probably not be bothered by anyone. Good view of i Faraglioni from here.
● Belvedere di Tragara: tough walk but beautiful views of the island
● Villa Lysis: also a trek but apparently very worth it
● Villa San Michele: former home of a Swedish dr and animal activist (two of my favorite things), it was built on the ruins of a Roman villa and the gardens are evidently amazing, views superb, and Roman statues make for great photo ops
● Seggiovia del Monte Solaro: chair lift that gets you to the top of Capri’s highest peak. 8 euros one way, 11 for a return trip. On a clear day, you can see the entire Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and the islands of Ischia and Procida. To walk to the top of Monte Solaro would take an hour to an hour and a half.
● Casa Rosa: Moroccan-style Red House, has pretty paintings of Capri and a statue that was excavated from the Blue Grotto. Admission is 3.5 euros
● Restaurants: Gennaro Amitrano (nice and expensive), Salumeria Da Aldo (cheap but good; greatest caprese sandwich the world has ever known)
Positano: LonelyPlanet says it’s the most photogenic, beautiful (and expensive) town in the Amalfi
● Fornillo: stretch of coastline described as the most beautiful in the entire mediterranean
● Bagni d’Arienzo: another beach
● Swirl the Glass: private wine tasting
● Ristorante Casa Mele: in Positano
● Franks: touristy bar, but the best place in Positano to watch the sunset; they had good cocktails and the view was nice, but you will probably be surrounded by other Americans and people also watching the sunset, which makes the view not so good unless you have a great seat or are bold enough to elbow your way through people.
● Il Capitano: restaurant with absolutely exceptional views. We were lucky enough to be seated around the perimeter and it is without question the best scenery I’ve ever eaten a meal in. Food was decent, but it would probably rank in the lower ⅓ of meals I had in Italy.
● Bar Bruno: just up the road from Franks, I still dream about the gnocchi I had here. Also if you sit outside you will be overlooking the entire town.
● Ristorante La Sponda, or Le Sirenuse- “Hundreds of candles illuminate the restaurant as mandolin and guitar players serenade diners. This is a true reservation for romance;” located right next to Franks I believe http://sirenuse.it/en/restaurants-bars
● Hotel Ancora: a friend instagrammed from here and the view looks amazing
Other:
● Pompeii: if you’re into history this is worth it, otherwise maybe skip; its a lot of ruins (again, fascinating if you’re into history, if not it will look like a lot of the same)
● Sentiero degli Dei: the path of the gods. Provides great views of the Amalfi Coast and Capri
● Ischia: volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples known for its mineral-rich thermal waters
● Praiano: This town looks very far away, but was recommended. Restaurant there is Kasai. The person that recommended this place to me said it was the best meal he’s ever had in his entire life.
● Procida Island: we did not go here, I don’t really know anything about it
○ Port of Corricella: very picture-esque
○ Terra Murata
○ Abbazia San Michele Arcangelo
