Jesse
New York City
Going to Italy with my family for my mom's 60th bday in late September. The first few days we're there, we're thinking of spending on the coast -- Amalfi, Capri, Positano, etc. What are the best things to do/see/stay/eat there?
Here's an itinerary for Amalfi & Tuscany. Worked perfectly. Fantastic trip.
Depart Munich at 9:30 AM to Naples, arrive 11:05 PM
Take 14:40 Hydrafoil to Capri
Accomodation: Scalinatella
www.scalinatella.com
Reservations: Da Paolino in lemon grove
Boat trip to see the Blue Grotto (http://www.capri.com/en/grotta-azzurra).
Capri: Hotel La Scalinatella
Reservations: Il Geranio (fantastic salted baked fish)
April 27
Hydrafoil to Positano
Accomodation: Sirenuse
www.sirenuse.it
Dinner: Le Sirenuse, 8:00 PM
Great rock beach with fun food in Positano, Da Adolfo: http://www.fodors.com/miniguides/mgresults.cfm?destination=amalfi_capri@9&cur_section=din&property_id=129013
April 28
Positano: Sirenuse
Dinner: Donna Rosa, 8 PM. Their ravioli was phenomenal. Your hotel can arrange for a taxi to take you up there and pick up afterward.
Other dinner idea (Don Alfonso 1890 donalfonso.com)
April 29
Car to Ravello, organized by hotel
Accomodation: Palazzo Sasso
www.palazzosasso.com
Dinner: Cumpa' Cosimo - lasagna is out of this world
April 30
Ravello: Palazzo Sasso
Dinner: Villa Maria Restaurant, great view
May 1
Car to Tuscany
Avis rental confirmed by hotel.
Accommodation: Villa Bordoni
www.villabordoni.com
May 2
Tuscany: Villa Bordoni
2 PM: Cooking Class
May 3
Tuscany: Villa Bordoni
May 4
Drive to Florence
Accommodation: The St. Regis Florence
www.stregisflorence.com
http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/travel/45-places-to-go-in-2012.html
Dinner: Baldovino
May 5
Florence: St. Regis
Dinner: Oliviero
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Just driving around the Amalfi coast is incredible. Such an interesting place. Positano is well known and incredible. And Capri is likewise incredible and beautiful. It can get very crowded with tourists, but it is well worth visiting. As are the Blue Grotto, or Grotta Azzurra,
and the Green Grotto which are very cool things to do on Capri.
But one of my favorite places along the Amalfi Coast is Ravello. Ravello is perched high up above the coastline, has amazing views and is just a beautiful and enchanting place.Lunch on the patio at the Hotel Palazzo Avino is a very special occasion type meal (I imagine dinner is as well). Follow that up with a stroll down to the Duomo Di Ravello and the main square for some gelato and people watching.
I should add that some of the hotels are amazing just to visit for their settings and views. Grabbing a drink or a bite at these places is also worthwhile. I mentioned Palazzo Avino above, but other legendary hotels are Hotel Santa CaterinaLe Sirenuse
and Il San Pietro Hotel (San Pietro's style is not for me, but the setting and views are incredible).
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