campania.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 10/13/2008 - 06:51In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
I agree with Sabastiano, i scootered around the area & from Pozzouli to Pompei, along the coast road around eight years ago and can remember how hectic, disorganised and crazy the traffic seemed to be. I know that in most suburban areas of Italy, traffic seems to be worse than in the UK but down in Naples, its the worst i've seen around all Europe.
There are though, loads of great sights! Pompei is highley reccomended but please take some suitable walking shoe's and plenty of refreshments.
If you are staying near Pozzouli there is an old roman amphitheatre, the Pozzouli Solfatara (Volcano) and there some good restaurants near the port. I'm not sure i would reccomend you stay in Pozzouli though. I remember the area being a bit of a dump!
Have a good holiday & drive safely!!
Nige
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Penny, fly into Naples if you are going to spend the whole two weeks in Campania - it's a perfectly good airport. Whether you choose to drive in the city or not is up to you, but there really is nothing to be scared about - the bark is far worse than the bite and the reputation is somewhat undeserved - but - parking is an absolute pain in the ass. Sure, there is no doubt Naples is chaotic and crowded, but think of it this way, if you were to have a bump with another car, the speed would be so slow that injury would be unlikely anyway - anyway, public transport is excellent so don't worry.
I disagree with others and would suggest you hire a car for your trip to the Costiera Amalfitana and although it can be slightly nerve racking for the first 5 or 10 minutes, it's an experience not to be missed, especially as you are going in May - not too many tourists and some fabulous views, combined with late Spring/early Summer flora. Having a car gives you the freedom to explore and there is so much more to this area than just the coastline. Head up into the hills behind Amalfi to experience the lesser (and unknown) small towns and villages. If this type of thing interests you, then let me know and I'll dig out some more suggestions.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Whatever else you do, don't miss Ravello or Positano and Pompei is quite amazing!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
[quote=PennyWhite;99003]We are at a very early stage of planning .........at present the vague thought is to fly into Naples.........see Pompeii, drive the Amalfi coast and then do some off the beaten track exploring, possible over two weeks + from two centres........[/quote]
Did a great holiday a few years ago in the area,
First week - flew to Naples and bussed it to Ravello to start a weeks walking holiday along the Amalfi Coast [ with ATG], where you are given maps and notes of each walk to walk on your own, often alon the mule track near the top of the cliffs, and the company moves your luggage on from hotel to Hotel. We have done a few walking holidays, but this one was undoubtedly the best ever. [Tip - stay in the superior hotels, the ones in Amalfi and Positano were out of this world]
[url]http://www.atg-oxford.co.uk/pdf/trip/tac.pdf[/url]
We followed this up with a week's stay at Il Nido hotel, outside Sorrento [hotel did its own minibus service.]
[url=http://www.ilnido.it/]Hotel Il Nido - Sorrento Hotel[/url]
This second week we visited Capri Vesuvius Pompeii etc, and did some walks shown in the Sunflower Amalfi walks book.
[url=http://www.sunflowerbooks.co.uk/sorrento.htm]Sorrento walks, Amalfi walks, Sorrento car tours; walking in Sorrento, walking in Amalfi[/url]
Then back to Naples by bus
Brilliant holiday - no car necessary
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Wow thank you all so much, lots of info already.
Excuse change of persona, I have changed computer and internet provider and my details seem to have got lost in the ether, so I am starting again.
We will get our thoughts together and no doubt be asking more questions. Juliancoll, you seem very much on our wavelength. Sadly, husband would not be prepared to do the walking Alan H, but that sort of break might be one to do with my walking chums some time.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
An update, found flights from Northwest tend to go to Rome rather than Naples, so have extended the holiday to three weeks (oh dear what a shame) and having three and a half days/4 nights in Rome (staying at Hotel Campo de Fiore), pick up hire car and heading south, bypassing Naples (hubby lived there as a child and does not want to return) and have contacted Azienda Agrituristica Ricciardelli in Contrada (does any know it? Any good?) for the rest of the week, then to Positano for two weeks at Hotel Puppeto, head back to Rome, hand back car and last night in Rome (same hotel) and then morning flight back to Manchester. Any comments/suggestions/recommendations? We have Pompeii / Capri / Amalfi Coast / Ravello so far on our list, probably Paestum (sp? Greek ruins) as well.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
If you are staying in Campo dei Fiore then eat at Carbonnara where the romans eat. Closed Tuesday....yummy.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Pompeiii and Paestum definitely worth the visit (haven't been yet to Paestum and feeling sheepish as everyone we have spoken to has said it is a "must do"t)
Ravello we also loved but, hey, if you are staying in Positano. - what a place!
Sounds like a fabulous trip so far!
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Penny - I didn't realise you were flying from the Northwest - Liverpool John Lennon to Ciampino?
If so, it's a straight drive dowwn the A1, then take the A30 just south of Caserta and then the A16 at Nola until you get to Avellino. I don't know the actual place you have chosen to stay in Contrada, but the whole area is fabulous - great scenery and lots more to see besides.
Can I suggest that once in the area that you use the B roads rather than the Autostrada as much as possible - far more scenic and especially beautiful in May/June. Just South of where you are going to stay is a nice small town called Pellezano where there is a great castle and it's worth a walk around, there's also a really old aqueduct which is very well preserved and a great pizzeria, but sorry, I cant remember the name. You will find it - it's busy and where everyone eats. Nice buzz to the place.
If you get the chance to go up into the hills behind Amalfi (actually directly above "Conca dei Marini") do it - go up to a village called San Lazzaro - just past the small town of Agerola - ask for directions - straighforward, but very windy country roads (be careful, drive slowly) and once there - enjoy! I wont tell you too much more about it as it would spoil the surprise, but go to the far end of the village (ask the way to the "punta") for an absolute delight.
Anyway, the whole area is wonderful and I'm dead jealous! :smile:
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
May is a good time of the year to be in Rome - not too hot and the same goes for the countryside. You might like to visit Fiuggi on the way South.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
OH has sworn never to fly with Ryanair again (I say never say never) so we are booked with jet2.com (first time with them) Manchester - Fiumicino. Hotel is organising transfers so life will be very simple... will note all those extremely helpful suggestions above, can't wait! Thank you all so much.
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Well, chaps and chasses, all set, packed though have to get the heavy books into hubby's bag... travel advice printed off from you very helpful people, being picked up at 5.15am tomorrow ... eeeekkkk but in Rome for 11.30ish...
booked a table at Imago at Hotel Hassler for our one bit of excessiveness on Sunday night (the panoramic views won for us) and will probably hit Carbonara tomorrow night.
Diet? Well, that can wait until June...
Will report back on our return. Thanks everyone for their help...
In reply to A newbie all over again! by Annec
Have a great trip :smile:
[quote=PennyWhite;99003]We are at a very early stage of planning a holiday in the Campania area and wonder what advice is on offer... at present the vague thought is to fly into Naples (or are there better places?) see Pompeii, drive the Amalfi coast and then do some off the beaten track exploring, possible over two weeks + from two centres. Have had excellent advice in the past from this forum leading to fabulous holidays in Tuscany and Umbria/Le Marche, so looking forward to what is on offer....
thanking you in advance![/quote]
personally i would fly into Naples,i wouldn't bother driving in it which is next to impossible for most people and i certainly would not drive round the amalfi peninsula( because i have done it and it is also quite nightmarish)=,better to take a ferry from naples and use local transport to visit around the coastline there.
take a car by all means when you have finished staying in naples to leave the place to go elsewhere.you can also easily visit by ferry capri,ischia and procida also from naples and in those places you can't take a car anyway.do visit both pompei and herculaneum both fantastic places,also visit the Reggia di caserta (the royal palace there) if you have time and want a quieter venue the coastline below Salerno is very nice and Paestum-Agropoli are worth going to as the gulf of Policastro further south the interior of which is mostly national park.all the above worth visiting staying at ,have a good vacation.