Venice & Amalfi coast - travel tips?

[mella2007]

JohnM Yeah it is a great base. If you are set on hiring the car, many hotels in Sorrento do offer free parking. Not sure of your budget but many of the "Grand Hotel" chain have some fab properties not too expensive over summer, that offer fantastic views over the Bay. I have previously stayed at Hilton Sorrento Palace, Grand Hotel Europa Palace, Grand Hotel Ambassadori and were happy with all except the Hilton (too far from the town centre, too long to walk)

 

[Bolthead]

Sorrento

Hotel per matrimoni a Sorrento: Antico Casale Russo, villa per matrimoni a Sorrento.

We stayed here just outside or Sorrento and it was magnificent with views over the Mediterranean Sea. The rooms and staff were fantastic and the views were breath taking. Definitely need a car and a GPS is a must. Nearby is a restaurant called Zio Sam. (Uncle Sam) Walking distance from hotel. As it turned out Uncle Sam lived the majority of his life in Melbourne and he semi retired back to Italy and started this restaurant. All the walls had Australian paraphernalia plastered on the walls. (it took us about 20 minutes before we noticed it) When we asked the hotel staff about restaurant nearby they recommended Zio Sam however because it was Monday it was closed. They apologised profusely when we walked back they then insisted that we follow the son of the owner on his motor bike to another restaurant about 3 km's away. Plenty of others around the hills. The Hotel only serves breakfast (included in tariff) however it also caters for weddings etc... One of the nights we were there when they had a 50th birthday party and we observed the whole thing from our giant balcony. Just seeing the the Italians celebrate this was interesting. Both my girls fell in love with one of the young workers that seemed to do a bit of everything around the hotel. They called him Giovanni (not his real name) and continually talked about him for the balance of the trip using him as a bench mark for judging the local male talent. (Apparently he won)

Venice

ResidenceVenezia: Il Residence

We stayed here when we visited Venice. Although if I had my time again I would stay in Venice itself. However because we had a car and there was 4 of us it was cheaper to stay here which was on the mainland We caught a bus every day to Venice and had no problems with buying tickets from the local shop. The town it self was nothing to talk about as it lacked character. (it was very modern for Italian standards) however we found an excellent local restaurant and I always like being the only non European (I think) when I go places especially restaurants as it felt like everybody was staring at us. This accommodation was very modern and large and clean with all the mod cons. It is good to stay at places like this as it gives you a chance to catch up on washing clothes etc...

We didn't venture further down the coast and our experience on the Isle of Capri was disappointing.

Have a great trip.

 

[Mal]

I liked sorrento when I recently visited, but with it being a non tourist season, Sunday and rainy options were limited.

I found restaurants more expensive than Naples, and it was really surprising to see the difference in coffee prices (.95 euros vs 3 euros) around the place.

But it was still nice. Great views over the ocean. Didn't make it out to capri due to ferry schedules and low season but the place was clouded over anyway.

 

[JohnM]

Thanks, everyone .

 

[TheRealTMA]

You can't get away that easily! We haven't even started on hotels and restaurants let alone art galleries!

At least you have to go to see this!

 

[knightman7]

You can't get away that easily! We haven't even started on hotels and restaurants let alone art galleries!

At least you have to go to see this!

View attachment 13099

Hahaha, the old lady certainly had an eye for the art. I loved the Picasso in the foyer just behind that sculpture. On the Beach.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Ah, yes Takes one back doesn't it.

Not a great Picasso fan but I must say I liked the Picassos and Braques there. It's one the the best eclectic collections ITW and to be honest I liked practically everything there, even the early Pollocks.

 

[JohnM]

You can't get away that easily! We haven't even started on hotels and restaurants let alone art galleries!

At least you have to go to see this!

View attachment 13099

Which gallery is that?

 

[TheRealTMA]

Not telling

 

[Ric]

Which gallery is that?

This one....

and a side view of the subject at hand....

 

[Ric]

Not telling

Oooops!!!
Sorry.........

 

[Mal]

Wow, he is excited about riding his horse! (Although Having been through the Naples National Archaeological Museum, and their "secret room", the one above not the most "interesting" statue in Italian history!!)

 

[Pushka]

Definitely use a private driver in Naples. Try Romeinlimo. We had a great driver on a cruise stop. He has access to all sorts of places to park. We had a brilliant time in Positano while he parked in a private car park. Same at Amalfi where we had hand cut ravioli, pizza and sparkling wine for lunch while he took the car somewhere. The coastal roads are really narrow and parking impossible if you don't know where to look. Then took us to Pompeii for a private tour with an Archeologist. Amalfi coast is just beautiful.

 

[RB]

I realise that the OP has said that they are going by car, but I am a little bemused by the various thoughts that a vehicle is necessary to get around Italy. We are yet to drive a km in Italy & have seen vast areas of the country-obviously people attack holidays in different ways!

 

[JohnM]

I realise that the OP has said that they are going by car, but I am a little bemused by the various thoughts that a vehicle is necessary to get around Italy. We are yet to drive a km in Italy & have seen vast areas of the country-obviously people attack holidays in different ways!

Too true! It would be pretty boring if we all did things the same way!

I have travelled a lot in Italy, elsewhere in Europe and plenty of other places around the world mostly, but certainly not exclusively, by car and I drive a lot in rural and outback Australia, so driving is something I particularly like doing. Certainly good public transport does not make a car necessary but I prefer the independence and I also have a preference for getting out into the regions and driving country lanes and back roads. I have a background in agriculture/biology and wine is my hobby so wine regions appeal but like everyone, I also want to do the classic sites. PartnerJohnM will be with me (which doesn't always happen) so she wants to see some of the more classical things.

I also like the fun and excitement of driving in places where you can go fast and people know how to drive - unlike Australia :evil:. My only regret is that I can't afford to walk up to the Avis counter and ask for the hottest thing in the lot so I can keep up with similar others in the outside lane on the autostradas and autobahns :-|!.

There are upsides and downsides whichever way one does things. My questions were really around getting tips on how to handle being with car in two particularly crowded places - eg. stop outside and bus/train in or park outside and stay inside.

 

[knightman7]

I agree. Driving in Italy is totally unnecessary and often times costly and annoying. So much better having a local driver or using the extensive train and bus network to get around.

And it's the Peggy Guggenheim museum

 

[mella2007]

We've done Italy (well part of) with a car...purely because Mr Mella wanted to experience driving in Italy at least once. Rest of the times we've been we have used private drivers, family driving us around, trains, buses and planes.
It is ok to drive in certain parts with very little hassle, however the big cities and parts of various coast lines are to be avoided at all costs because
a) the crazy drivers
b) sometimes the road rules and parking are not what you think it is
c) very few rental companies provide GPS or maps nor speak English to explain your booking
d) if you want to scream at the person driving, lose your voice and have anxiety while being the back seat driver i highly recommend it

 

[TheRealTMA]

And it's the Peggy Guggenheim museum

Gosh. Who's spoiling the party...

 

[JohnM]

We've done Italy (well part of) with a car...purely because Mr Mella wanted to experience driving in Italy at least once. Rest of the times we've been we have used private drivers, family driving us around, trains, buses and planes.
It is ok to drive in certain parts with very little hassle, however the big cities and parts of various coast lines are to be avoided at all costs because
a) the crazy drivers
b) sometimes the road rules and parking are not what you think it is
c) very few rental companies provide GPS or maps nor speak English to explain your booking
d) if you want to scream at the person driving, lose your voice and have anxiety while being the back seat driver i highly recommend it

I always take my own GPS - have done so for many places in W Europe and Britain plus Morocco, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, US, Canada but have also travelled in much of Europe in pre-GPS days. All good fun!

Having your own GPS is good beacause you know exactly how it works. Plug in and go.

Italian drivers aren't crazy; they're decisive, get on with it and let you know if you're not doing the same - unlike many drivers in Australia that seem to be half awake much of the time. You can't get away with that in places like Italy!

 

[cdchi1]

I realise that the OP has said that they are going by car, but I am a little bemused by the various thoughts that a vehicle is necessary to get around Italy.

I've never travelled by car in Italy (or on any travels actually unless with others that demand a car)...always by train (and bus in Sicily). Maybe a car would be nice for a change say in Tuscany but I agree with you that it is definitely not necessary - and in fact completely unnecessary (not to mention a hassle) in many places.

Each to their own I suppose.