Three weeks in Amalfi coast?

[Anonymous]

So we want to take a 3 week vacation this summer. Due to other constraints it has to start mid July. We've always wanted to go back to Italy and think this would be perfect timing (aside from the fact it'll be pretty hot..). It'll be my husband and I and our son who will be 11 months then. And maybe the nanny..

Neither of us has ever been to the Amalfi coast - but could one base themselves there for 3 weeks? Is there enough to do for three weeks without going bankrupt?

We want to base ourselves somewhere where we can immerse ourselves for a short time. Not worry about moving baby and baby stuff everywhere., take a few interesting day trips.....and be in a town where we can get baby supplies easily, get to a hospital if needed, easily get around with the baby...

Any insights, tips are greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Almafi coast is beautiful. If you are ok with just a lazy beach vacation, should be fine. You could do a day trip to Pompeii and surrounding area, but other than that, I don't think there's that much to do out that way. Might want to look at a few days in Rome if you can.

[Anonymous]

^Poster here. The drive along the Almalfi is beautiful, but scary as hell.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks. Any ideas on which town to base ourselves in? Sorrento, amalfi, ravello or positano? Also are any of the beaches actually nice? I've read they are quite rocky and sometimes polluted.

[Anonymous]

I honeymooned in Italy and spent 3 nights in Ravello. Ravello was beautiful and the most relaxing part of the trip, BUT 3 weeks is too long. Spend a few nights ( no more than 1week) on the Amalfi coast and then move on to others cities/areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^Poster here. The drive along the Almalfi is beautiful, but scary as hell.

Completely agree.

[Anonymous]

Base in Sorrento and go from there. You might want to consider a professional driver (thoroughly checked out by American Express or some other outfit).

[Anonymous]

I am from Italy and I would not do 3 weeks in that area. as others have said, I would spend maybe 5 days or a week to relax at the beach and visit the surrounding areas and then go somewhere else (Tuscany, Umbria, Marche or even Veneto or Sicily) where you go stay in one place and have tons of nice places to visit within just one hour or two of driving max. that time of the year is hot and the most crowded. public transportation is not very good in that part of Italy and you need to drive, and roads and very narrow (like VERY narrow) high over the coast and crowded, so you cannot really go visit places without spending a lot of time in the car. Naples is beautiful but extremely chaotic and I would not visit it in late July with an 11 month old baby. you mention going to the hospital: if you have health issue and you may need to go to the hospital, that area (especially in the summer) is not exactly the place I would chose to get sick.

[Anonymous]

I loved Amalfi but three weeks is definitely too long.

[Anonymous]

I don't mind driving there but the driving is SLOW- Terrible base for three weeks because it is too hard to get in and out of- unless you are literally going to hole up there.

[Anonymous]

How about the countryside? Villa in Tuscany with a pool? So you don't even have to go anywhere if you want to relax.

[Anonymous]

I agree with everyone who said Amalfi Coast is beautiful and definitely worth going to, but not a place that I would enjoy staying for three weeks. It's really touristy and there are so many other great places to go in Italy that aren't too far. You can take the high speed train to Rome and also spend some time in Tuscany or one of the other provinces. Or go someplace like Sicily.

[Anonymous]

I think in 3 weeks you can see a ton of great places in Italy! I would do a week in Southern Italy- base in Sorrento. Then a few days in Rome. Then up to Tuscany (lots of places just outside Florence) for a few days. Then the last week do a few days in Cinque Terre and end your last few days in Venice and fly out of there. It really isn't all that hard to drive in Italy, but it does take a little nerve to get started. We lived in Italy for a few years and the first few days are the hardest- after that it's no big deal. Biggest thing to remember is that there are really no rules!

[Anonymous]

Too long. You will be bored and antsy after about a week. It is pretty but with an 11 month old, you won't be able to spend hours at restaurants looking a the sea whilst getting drunk. Sorry. Kids end that fun. Do a week and then take a week in Rome and a week in Florence. That would be so awesome.

[Anonymous]

I disagree, I think three weeks is great! I would suggest staying at the Villa Rosa in Ravello (really midway between Ravello and Atrani) Link here: http://www.residencevillarosa.it/main.php?lang=en

Atrani remains largely untouched by tourism, and the Villa is furnished with kitchens and there's a pool on-site, so you can really relax and enjoy the view. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.