First off, thanks in advance for you help, we really need it. Never traveled out of the states, and I'm a bit overwhelmed at all the possibilities for our honeymoon in Italy. We know we want to spend time in Rome and on the Amalfi coast. At least in the past, we haven't made it on many big vacations, so we do want to hit up as many of the hot spots as possible, while mixing in some honeymoon-ish romantic relaxation.
We're going to be traveling roughly from June 10th-June 25 this summer. I'm tempted to choose Positano and Rome as our two locations, but we could be open to adding a third hotel location if it makes sense. Positano seems like the ideal city for a romantic post-wedding stay, but I've heard day trips out of this area can be difficult.
Hotel and activity advice is certainly welcome, but we really need to come up with a firm timeline/logistics asap. We are traveling from Chicago. This is a rough framework I have come up with so far, but please use your best judgement to alter things as you see fit.
1) Fly from Chicago to Naples. (connects in Munich, have a quick German bier) 2) Private car transfer from Naples to Positano. 3) Spend 6-7 days in Positano, take day trips to close areas and possibly Capri, Pompeii (ferries, trains?) 4) Go to Rome somehow... Train from Naples to Rome? 5) Spend 6-7 days in Rome, see everything we can possibly see 6) Fly from Rome to Chicago
I'm also leaning towards not getting a rental car, since I'd rather not deal with the stress of driving in a foreign country as well as parking, etc. Do you think something like this is doable?
I think your plan makes a lot of sense, just as it is. I'd absolutely choose Positano over Sorrento, and you can use public transit for your day trips. If you find once you get there, and the stress of the wedding drains out of you that all you want to do is sit and enjoy, Positano is a great place to do that too.
You are right that a car for this trip would be more hassle than benefit. As for getting from Positano to Rome, the train would be fast and easy. You might even consider leaving from Salerno rather than Naples - it's a much more beautiful ride to get to Salerno (along the Amalfi Coast road), the train ride won't be much longer from there than from Naples, and the station is less chaotic.
ellen
Posts: 3907 | Location: mahwah, new jersey, usa | Registered: 10 December 2003
To add one other suggestion to Ellen's for departing from Salerno, you could even consider taking a ferry from Positano to Salerno. It docks just a few short blocks from the train station.
I think your honeymoon plans are brilliant - a good amount of time in the two locations and the ease of a limo to get to your hotel in Positano.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and you are the official winner of the best choice first trip slowtrav post (at least according to me). I wouldn't choose Rome but that us, but two locations bravo!
I'm looking into Amalfi as well. I found a place which is a little secluded but maybe that suits you,some nice hiking trails leave directly from there (to each his own we ran a marathon on our Honeymoon in Venice)
The positives about this place. You can go half board which makes a low stress trip, come home for dinner, breakfast in the morning,the food is supposed to be great, Michelin even rates it! quiet and secluded,peaceful.
Don't try to see everything, it will still be there when you come back! RR
Sorry, also, should we consider Sorrento vs. Positano?
What a wonderful honeymoon itinerary. Absolutely Positano. It is magical, especially after all the day trippers have left. I find myself dreaming about Positano all the time.
If not, there are lots of wonderful places to stay, I just think Le Sirenuse is one of the most wonderful hotels I have ever stayed in and talk about a honeymoon to remember, especially if you get one of the rooms with a sea view. The staff there is fantastic as well.
Sharon J
Posts: 1455 | Location: Houston, TX, but always a Californian at heart! | Registered: 01 November 2003
That sounds like a perfect trip! I would say Positano over Sorrento too. It is so beautiful and very easy to access the Ferry to go to Capri and Amalfi. You simply must take the bus or hire a cab and spend a day in Ravello!
Posts: 929 | Location: Nashville, TN USA | Registered: 11 September 2002
I think that you are off to a great start. We are doing a similar trip in May for our 40th via Venice and Florence. We chose a villa for the Positano week. Check the Summer In Italy website for great info on the area. We did Rome 2 years ago and found the City and history amazing. Stay right in the heart of the City to walk or cab everywhere. Good luck and if you make it anywhere near 40 years..... I envy all return trips to Italy ahead of you. Tim
Posts: 66 | Location: Chicago, USA | Registered: 29 May 2009
I agree that the trip sounds perfect as it is. I would have you consider staying in Amalfi. It is less tourist ridden and also provides easy access to day trips to Ravello and Capri. If your budget allows it look at the Hotel Santa Caterina a very very special place for a honeymoon. If that is above your price point than I would say look at Hotel Luna. The Le Sirenuse in Positano is also a great place to have cocktails at sunset on their patio bar which is open to the public.No need for a car during this trip. Drivers and public transportation should fill your needs. In Rome consider the Albergo del Senato ( best location in my opinion for first timers) They also have a terrrace bar that is only for quests. I like to stay there just for the hours spent at sunset on that terrace with friends before heading to dinner. Enjoy !
I'll chime in with the rest and say it sounds fantastic. There is no point in getting a car in those locations. Down on the Amalfi Coast, use the ferries, and in Rome your car would be parked the entire time you are there anyway :-)
I did your trip in reverse - first we went to Rome, and then we went to Positano. I have a trip report on this site. You will love both places and you do not need a car. We got from Rome to Naples via train, and then we hired a driver to take us along the Amalfi Coast to Positano. You could easily reverse this. If you do, don't forget to stop in Pompeii on the way to Naples from Positano. The driver can take you there and then you can continue on to Naples. Happy wedding. You chose perfect places for romance.
Posts: 80 | Location: na | Registered: 27 October 2008
Have you figured in ferry costs to get around the Amalfi Coast too? Also the cost of a bus or a cab to Ravello. I am not sure I would stay three nights in Sorrento and 4 in Positano. For me I would rather just stay put and take the ferry to Sorrento to see it. It seems like a lot of hassle. There is plenty to keep you busy along the Amalfi Coast for a week without the trouble of changing hotels. What time of year are you going? Your airline ticket prices seem pretty high. This is going to be an amazing honeymoon!
Posts: 929 | Location: Nashville, TN USA | Registered: 11 September 2002
Haven't really figured in ferry costs to get around the coast aside from whats listed above.
I'm torn between Sorrento and Positano. 1/3 of the people I've talked to see all Positano, another third say all Sorrento, and the remaining third say split the time. So I just went with the average split, but I can see the appeal in staying put for a whole week.
Sorrento is a better travel hub it seems like, but Positano is less touristy and has better views.
What should I do?
I'm going in the middle of June, and cannot find any air prices cheaper.
Positano all the way!! You'll be there mid-June and it will be hot by then so try and stay at a hotel with a pool. I would go to Positano first so you can decompress from your wedding and then end in Rome where the pace will be a little more hectic.
Carole
Posts: 1447 | Location: Laguna Beach, CA | Registered: 09 February 2006
I found Positano to be a good spot to connect by ferry to the other spots along the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento is easier to get to see Pompei but I am not sure I would want to stay there for that reason alone. The scenery is just so much more dramatic on the other side of the peninsula.
You do need to plan on some ferry, bus, and cab money to get around the coast. It would be a shame to not explore the wonderful other towns along the coast while you are there. The ferry is a fun and easy way to get around. If you do want to divide your time I think I would do two days in Sorrento on the front end because it is easy to get there from Rome and then the other 5 in Positano where more of what you are going to want to see is located.
I think we may even be in Positano for a couple of the days you are. We arrive on June 17th. If your still there we would love to buy you a drink to congratulate you! We will be there with another ST couple. Linda
Posts: 929 | Location: Nashville, TN USA | Registered: 11 September 2002
Two summers ago, we split time between Sorrento and Positano, and I think it worked well for us, and for a first trip to the area. I liked both towns; Sorrento allowed us some decompression from our flight from LA to Rome, even though we spent two nights in Rome, and it was closer to Pompeii, which was a must for my DH. In Positano, we used the ferrys to get around, spent a lovely day in Amalfi and Ravello that way. No car for this trip, and it worked fine for us.
I think your honeymoon choices are good ones, but agree with Robert, you should budget some meals in there .
I don't think you can go wrong either way. We went one time and stayed in Capri for 2 nights, and then on to Positano for 4. This was nice because we could really relax in Capri, especially after the daytrippers left. Then, when we got to Positano, we were able to easily visit Amalfi, Pompeii, Ravello, and Sorrento and this was before children. When we had kids with us we just stayed put in Sorrento and this was ideal too! Cyndy
I think your honeymoon choices are good ones, but agree with Robert, you should budget some meals in there .
I would say a moderate budget assuming you like wine and want a little celebration in there would be 100 euro/day, then add miscellaneous like admission to places like Pompei,maybe some purchases of ?? another 50 euro/day. RR
Sounds like a lovely trip. When you are at the Nicolas Inn, do walk up into the Monti neighborhood, up behind via Cavour, to savor a very pleasant, very Roman 'hood. And have a slice at Pizza Leonina. Yum. Have a great trip.
Originally posted by Robert Rainey: Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and you are the official winner of the best choice first trip slowtrav post (at least according to me).
I have to agree with Robert, I think you have made a wonderful plan and I am very impressed that you are not trying to squeeze in all of Italy in one trip.
Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, your fiancee is a lucky lady!
Since you are 6'5" I do not think it is wasteful to book economy plus. You want to arrive as fresh as possible to savor every moment!
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