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#11
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Amalfi Coast region
On Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:50:42 -0800, poldy wrote:
In article , Ken Blake wrote: Have you considered the possibility of flying back from Naples instead of Rome? If you could do that, it should be much more convenient. I'm paying less than $650 all-in for SFO-FCO. I checked returning from NAP and the fare shot up to over $1700. Wow! That's a big difference, and a surprise to me. You can get to Capri by ferry from either Naples or Sorrento. You might even want to go from Naples to Capri, then from Capri to Sorrento, which would take away the need to go from Naples to Sorrento by train. Yes, another reason for choosing Sorrento is that I could go from Naples to Sorrento by train or ferry. I'm almost sure the train will be considerably faster and more convenient. Ferry or hydrofoil would be more scenic and faster but the transfer from the Naples train station to the port seems a hassle, with a big suitcase in tow. Right. I wouldn't do it. I guess I could go to Capri first but it might be better to get my bearings first on the coast. I don't see why. You should choose the order based on what works best for you. You can take the funicular from Marina Grande up to the town and take your luggage up on it. If you take a taxi, it will cost somewhat more, but like the funicular, it just takes you to the start of Capri. From there, you will have to walk to your hotel or B&B. I will have to research the funicular a bit more. I assumed it was more a people-mover and it didn't sound like something for people with luggage. No, that assumption isn't correct. There are lots of people with luggage using it. I've taken my luggage on it many times. Any experiences in the lodging choices in the area? Not just on Capri but also on the mainland? I know nothing about Capri B&Bs, but I have two favorite hotels in Capri: Canasta, and La Floridiana. Unfortunately, like so many hotels in Capri, they are not cheap. In Sorrento, I stayed at Hotel Mignon Meublè the last time I was there (about a year and a half ago). It was fine, very central, and moderately-priced. Unfortunately, however, it has no elevator. Some good suggestions in this thread about hotels in Sorrento. I've seen most of the ones mentioned on Venere.com -- Ken Blake Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#12
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Amalfi Coast region
On Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:00:33 -0800, poldy wrote:
In article , Ken Blake wrote: 2. I highly recommend that whether you choose a hotel or a B&B that it be in the town of Capri, not in Anacapri, Marina Grande, or Marina Piccola. Capri is the most central, nicest, and has the best choices of sights to see, restaurants, stores, etc. From Capri you can get to Anacapri and Marina Piccola by bus (or on foot if you like long walks), but a single trip to each of them is usually sufficient. Thanks, that's interesting to know. You're welcome. Glad to help. I first looked at staying near the Marina Grande so I wouldn't have to deal with lugging the luggage up to the main towns. Ugh! I'm exaggerating slightly, but that's sort of like staying in a slum instead of the nice part of town. I strongly recommend that you do *not* do that. I heard that Anacapri was less touristy and there seems to be more family-run B&Bs there. Some very reasonably-priced choices too. Yes, it's less touristy, because it's much less nice and less convenient. Anacapri is a much better choice than Marina Grande, but I wouldn't choose to stay there either. I like this one: www.aiano.net It's in the center of the island and looks to have spectacular views, although it's not so close to the center of Capri town. Sorry, I know nothing about it, and don't know where it's located. I couldn't get their web site either. It gets raves on Tripadvisor and the price isn't bad, but there are less expensive options to be had too. -- Ken Blake Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#13
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Amalfi Coast region
On 14 Feb, 05:03, poldy wrote:
In article , (Poetic Justice) wrote: *You might consider doing this for your Pompeii visit; *Go tohttp://tinyurl.com/dloxoqand under 'Eventi a Pompei' there are 5 limited access sites that you can reserve tickets for at Pompeii. *The site is in Italian but I have managed to book tickets there (I don't read Italian) a few times. *Google the Italian names of the sites and it will also bring up pages in English with info on those sites and then just choose which site interests you. *I give directions and info on this post which might be helpful with the train, Circumvesuviana, historical sites, museum, etc in that area (Naples-Pompeii). http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34665492 Are the limited-access areas worth it for a first-time visitor? *Or does it make more sense to go to the more well-known areas? Yes I was planning to take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Hopefully not too tricky to find the correct train (looks like some go to Salerno or is that the regular train?) or the correct stop at the station in Sorrento.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Knowing this area I'm rather black & white on the issues. Capri would be a terrible centre. Apart from the logistics of getting to the mainland and back each time, I usually advise even first-timers not to bother with even a day visit. Of course it has 'prettiness', but none approaching other nearby mainland scenery, and it has become a tourist-ridden monstrosity. I would always advise central Sorrento as a centre for the entire area. Very good hotels there and far more interesting in the evenings that being stuck out in some outlying hotel. Surreyman |
#14
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Amalfi Coast region
poldy wrote:
Plan to go to the Catania region for about 6 days, first timer. Was thinking that Sorrento seemed to be the most central, not just for day trips to places like Positano and Ravello, but also back up to Pompeii, maybe even Naples. This is in the first week of April. Sorrento seems to offer better lodging values than Positano. Obviously not as scenic but better located (I will be arriving from Rome to Naples by train and going back at the end to fly out of FCO). The other idea was to spend a couple of nights on Capri. Capri.com lists a lot of choices. Lot of small B&Bs which have maybe 3 rooms and gets raves for personal service. Versus hotels, which still get good reviews but not the same level of personal attention. Main good thing about the latter is that they seem more likely to offer transfer or porterage services from Marina Grande, whereas with the B&Bs, you would probably have to take a taxi up if you're bringing luggage for a 2-week trip (no I don't pack light). Any experiences in the lodging choices in the area? Not just on Capri but also on the mainland? There's one hotel in Sorrento where we didn't stay, but if I ever go back I'm determined to stay there - http://www.hotelilfaro.com/ right on the harbour. We had planned to take the ferry to Capri, but it was pouring with rain, so we wandered into the hotel restaurant and idled away an entire afternoon over an incredible lunch - signed photos on the wall of all the film stars who'd stayed there - Capri faded into the haze, and the coffee and cognac got even better - ah well. BTW if you get the chance while you're in that area, try and get down to see Paestum - it's the site of the best preserved Greek - yes Greek - temples anywhere in Europe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paestum T. |
#15
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Amalfi Coast region
On Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:56:32 -0800, poldy wrote:
In article , (Carole Allen) wrote: There is a local bus you can take down the coast to Amalfi as a day trip. I wouldn't try the drive - you'll miss all the scenery! Sorrento is a good base for Naples, Pompeii, etc. Do you mean the SITA? That's what I planned on. I considered the drive for a second. Then saw videos and accounts about blind turns with narrow roads where only one car could pass at a time. To me (and I think Carole is saying the same thing) the reason not to drive the Amalfi coast and take the bus instead is *not* that it's dangerous to drive. The reason is that such a winding road requires all your attention, and you therefore hardly get to look at the beauty of the area. By the way, I've been on the drive several times, always on a bus, and I don't remember any narrow roads where only one car could pass at a time. -- Ken Blake Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#16
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Amalfi Coast region
In article ,
Ken Blake wrote: I like this one: www.aiano.net It's in the center of the island and looks to have spectacular views, although it's not so close to the center of Capri town. Sorry, I know nothing about it, and don't know where it's located. I couldn't get their web site either. It's www.aiano.it. Also a page on it on capri.com. |
#17
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Amalfi Coast region
"poldy" wrote in message news You might consider doing this for your Pompeii visit; Go to http://tinyurl.com/dloxoq and under 'Eventi a Pompei' there are 5 limited access sites that you can reserve tickets for at Pompeii. The site is in Italian but I have managed to book tickets there (I don't read Italian) a few times. Google the Italian names of the sites and it will also bring up pages in English with info on those sites and then just choose which site interests you. I give directions and info on this post which might be helpful with the train, Circumvesuviana, historical sites, museum, etc in that area (Naples-Pompeii). http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34665492 Are the limited-access areas worth it for a first-time visitor? Or does it make more sense to go to the more well-known areas? You can get a 3-site ticket for Pompeii, Herculaneum and Villa di Poppea at the ticket office for any of them. The latter is least visited but well worth it - far less crowded and better preserved than much of the other two. Get a decent guide book for the sites, the guide they give you with you ticket is fairly basic. You can get a guided tour for something like 10-20 EUR, well worth it but it won't take you everywhere so I'd suggest a guide book as well. The audio guides are quite good too. You'll probably want to go to the archaeological museum in Naples after visiting Pompeii - as you'll see several holes in the walls/floors in Pompeii where some of the best stuff has been moved to the museum. Yes I was planning to take the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Hopefully not too tricky to find the correct train (looks like some go to Salerno or is that the regular train?) or the correct stop at the station in Sorrento. Was easy, Sorrento is at the end of the line so just look for Sorrento trains. AIRI there are branches of the Circumvesuvia going elsewhere, but if the train/platform sign doesn't say Sorrento it's the wrong train. -- Andy |
#18
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Amalfi Coast region
In article ,
Tom P wrote: There's one hotel in Sorrento where we didn't stay, but if I ever go back I'm determined to stay there - http://www.hotelilfaro.com/ right on the harbour. We had planned to take the ferry to Capri, but it was pouring with rain, so we wandered into the hotel restaurant and idled away an entire afternoon over an incredible lunch - signed photos on the wall of all the film stars who'd stayed there - Capri faded into the haze, and the coffee and cognac got even better - ah well. I was thinking about this one: http://www.hotelpalazzoguardati.com/en/index.php Nearby but closer to the center and hopefully, closer to the train station and the bus stops. But I'll keep the restaurant in mind. |
#19
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Amalfi Coast region
On Sat, 14 Feb 2009 07:43:18 -0800, poldy wrote:
In article , Ken Blake wrote: I like this one: www.aiano.net It's in the center of the island and looks to have spectacular views, although it's not so close to the center of Capri town. Sorry, I know nothing about it, and don't know where it's located. I couldn't get their web site either. It's www.aiano.it. Also a page on it on capri.com. It looks nice enough and the rates aren't bad. I'm not crazy about the location (my guess is that it's about a 15 minute walk to the central piazza of Capri), but it's *much* better than either Anacapri or Marina Grande. -- Ken Blake Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
#20
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Amalfi Coast region
On Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:02:43 -0800, poldy wrote:
In article , Tom P wrote: There's one hotel in Sorrento where we didn't stay, but if I ever go back I'm determined to stay there - http://www.hotelilfaro.com/ right on the harbour. We had planned to take the ferry to Capri, but it was pouring with rain, so we wandered into the hotel restaurant and idled away an entire afternoon over an incredible lunch - signed photos on the wall of all the film stars who'd stayed there - Capri faded into the haze, and the coffee and cognac got even better - ah well. I was thinking about this one: http://www.hotelpalazzoguardati.com/en/index.php I don't know this hotel, but it looks very nice and the rates and location look good. I think it's probably a good choice. I like that choice much better (because of the difference in location) than your choice in Capri. Nearby but closer to the center and hopefully, closer to the train station and the bus stops. You get the bus across the street from the train station. It's probably about a 10-15 minute walk to the train station from this hotel. -- Ken Blake Please Reply to the Newsgroup |
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