We will be 2 couples traveling together the first 2 weeks in April and we are interested in Naples and the Amalfi coast... We don't really know much about it...the trip started because we were interested in the Taurasi wine(still am) and staying at a small cottage in the Avalino area...but it is too small for 4 adults...so any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...we are more interested in being in 1 or 2 places rather then moving around alot...we can rent a car or use public transportation...we are fairly open and flexible..we like food, wine, art and history...thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer...

Here is a great trip report that will help.
I would also look at rentals at www.summerinitaly.com Good luck !
http://www.onelittleworld.com/campania_1.html

I already checked the blog out...and the rental place is a bit too expensive for me...I am more interested in smaller towns too...but i thought their report good...

I was wrong about the rental place you suggested...I was thinking of another rental...I will look at the summer one...thanks

There are the usual guidebooks to help you plan your visit to Campania. The first one that I would suggest however, which can be found at Amazon, is:

The Food and Wine Guide to Naples and Campania by Carla Capalbo
(10) $16.50
Driving around Campania is rather easy and the rolling hills are a delightful sight. Avellino Province is studded with many good trattorie and restaurants. Capalbo's book will help you identify many of them. I would plan to stay either in Avellino or Ariano Irpino.

Peter

thanks i will check the book out...do you have any places that you recommend...when I do a google search not much shows up for rentals..but I have just started...

Try asking Barbara and Federico at Savor the Sanno (http://www.savourthesannio.com/). They know the resources of Campania like none others I know. Who knows? You may reorient your trip to take in a few of the Sannio sites.

Lisa

There are several good guide books available. If you need just one, I would recommend "Naples & the Amalfi Coast", Lonely Planet.
C. Capalbo book is another good one.
After reading the books and discussions on this Forum you would be able to make a decision, which is good for YOU.
We stayed in Sorrento and it was a real great choice for us.

thanks Ifin I will check out Savor the Sanno and thank you Andrei...I had already bought the blue guide of southern Italy and the Cadogan guide of the Bay of Naples and Southern Italy so I have ben looking there too...
It is just trying to get the right mix for all of us between relaxing and not..small and larger, resort and mountain...you know the balance everyone seems to strive for..but I am appreciating all the ideas an dhope more are coming...thanks..

Ok after checking out all the suggestions and more I am thinking 3-4 days Naples...one week on the Amalfi coast and 1 or 2 days in Capri...
so here are some of my questions...
1. where on the Almafi coast do people suggest (we will be there in April) for us to get around by public transportation and foot
2. would it be smarter to go to Pompeii for the day from naples or the coast..
3. since we would be going to Capri...where would people suggest we start...we will be coming from Venice and I am not sure if our friends will be coming first to venice or flying closer to the south as they will be coming via military flight...thanks in advance for any suggestions or help...Jil

Hello,
I am not sure if this is something you have planned, but I would highly recommend touring Pompeii one day, then the very next day visiting the National Archaelogical Museum in Naples. Having Pompeii fresh in your mind while viewing the artifacts is just amazing. Our tour group had the same guide for both, which even made it better !
You will just love Naples!

Mark

Naples itself is a mixed bag. You either love it or hate it. Nothing in between
BBC Naples guide-pdf that can be downloaded at URL
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lastmillionaire/locations/naples.shtml
Naples is overcrowded, dirty and congested with many of its buildings dilapidated, but it has a vibrant raw energy, stunning historical architecture and an elegant waterfront to match the Cote d'Azur lined with yachts and Palladian Villas.
…
Naples has a reputation as an unsafe city. Visitors are very unlikely to encounter the camorra and its activities but do have to be wary about petty crime and theft. Pick pockets and scooter riding handbag thieves operate in the main tourist areas and on public transport and stations. Tourists are advised to carry bags closely and not on the shoulder, keep valuables and cameras out of sight, not wear expensive watches or jewellery, and not carry large amounts of cash.

On the main site we have Travel Notes for the region which may be helpful. Also, searching the Board will lead you to many previous threads about Amalfi, Naples, Pompei and Capri.

thanks dragonpat...we are ex new yorkers so we like the gritty of a city...but will check out the site you gave uswe re also very concious of keeping out valuables (which we don't travel much with) close to the body...

Amy I will check further the area you have mentioned but i was hoping there would also be up to date ideas for my question...I have checked many of the threads but was really curious about Sorrento vs Positano...

thanks again everyone...I appreciate all the help I can get...Jil

I just wanted to update my post to say that i did check the travel notes but they really do not answer my questions unless I am missing something there...I will check out further the threads that have been written...

Jil, there was this long threada few weeks ago which discussed the pros & cons of various places on the Amalfi coast. But Sorrento isn't actually on the Amalfi Coast - it's on the northern side of the peninsula. Positano or Amalfi seem like better choices for visiting this stretch of coast: both are well served by public transport.

As far as the travel notes are concerned, Kevin's Naples pages are invaluable.

Jonathan

Jonathan...thanks...I missed that thread so will check it out...as well as Kevin's notes...Jil

Not to hijack the thread but if one is allocating a week in Campania, which area is the best to spend most of the time in, Naples or the AC?

This is also for the first/second week of April. Not sure if it will be warm enough that the coastal areas will be better.

I like museums and big cities well enough but not big on antiquities. Prefer art from the Renaissance on.

I was thinking of spending maybe 4 nights out of 6 nights in AC and maybe a night or two in Naples before returning to Rome (to fly back to the US).

Seems like Pompeii is right in the middle between Naples and Sorrento. Forget exactly where Capri is but it seems there are ferry and hydrofoil services from most of the coastal cities.

We just got back home from Rome & Naples. My Husband had lived in Italy for 2 years and been to Naples several times so it wasn't like we were totaly clueless about Italian life and culture. I will never go back to Naples overnight again if I can help it. Count me out. It goes way beyond "gritty." Compared to Naples, NY City is pristine. I would prefer a day trip from Rome or the coast. I'm sure you have heard the negatives all before so I won't repeat them again.

However, I will comment on the positives I experienced of Naples.

1. The Archaelogical Museum was was a must see. We went the day before we went into Pompeii. There are many artifacts from Pompeii on exhibit as well as art. The next day we went to Pompeii. It was the highlight of our entire trip.

2. The food was very good in Naples.

3. We met several kind people in restaurants, walking in the piazza near our hotel, in stores and shops.

Sherri

We stayed in a seaside area outside of Naples,calledBacoli in a lovely rustic villa. It was a real Italian holiday resort,in fact we were the only English people there. It had ferry links to all the other Amalfi coast destinations,but we also used the car to get around too. We loved it,and the people loved us,because we were a novelty. See my report.www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/list.asp?r=Campania

The town was very busy and had loads of resturants,street theatre,and outdoor concerts.

I love Napoli--don't miss it. Yes it's urban but the NYC comparison doesn't get it--the city is on a much smaller scale. They have their own thing going in Napoli and tourists are secondary--not that you won't be welcomed. The views along the Bay of Napoli are fantastic. I love the crazy taxi ride from Stazione Centrale with the drivers yelling at each other in dialect (BTW don't try to drive there). I saw a great performance at the Teatro San Carlo--beautiful old opera house. The Museum of Archaeology is one of the best as noted here. The espresso is fantastic--maybe the best in Italy. For a change of pace hop on a ferry to Isola di Procida where Il Postino was filmed. The Cirumvesuviana railway will take you all over the lower coast--to Pompeii, Ercolano, even Sorrento. Sophia Loren was from Napoli and that gives you an idea of the beautiful women of that city. Take the funicular up to Vomero and walk around above the city--go to the Sant'Elmo Castle and museum. There is an open air antiques mmarket in the park along via Chiaia every Sunday.

Was trying to choose between Campania (mostly the Amalfi Coast) and Cinque Terre/Genoa for my April trip to Rome.

A Rome native says Campania sucks, that Naples is like a Spanish city.

He says go to CT or Sicily but skip Campania. Maybe it's some provincial bias he grew up with.

The key word was April---stay south.

You mean like Seville or Barcelona?--is that a bad thing? (although I don't agree). Either way you won't go wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by wco811:
Was trying to choose between Campania (mostly the Amalfi Coast) and Cinque Terre/Genoa for my April trip to Rome.

A Rome native says Campania sucks, that Naples is like a Spanish city.

quote:

A Rome native says Campania sucks

Don't all Italians say that about anywhere south of where they live!?