OT (again) Naples, Sorrento & Amalfi Coast

If you have read my other OT post this morning then you will know that I
have resigned from my current job. I was still in a probationary period so
have only given them 14 days notice. This leaves me with a couple of weeks
to faff about before starting the new job.

So, over the Xmas period I booked a flight to Naples with BA, hired a car
and booked a hotel in S.Agnello di Sorrento for 7 nights from 22-29 Jan.

So, FOAK, apart from the obvious tourist sites of Pompeii, Vesuvius etc
what can you recommend?

This is the hotel http://www.mamicamilla.com/ - I could just enrol on one
of the cookery courses, or buy a book....

 

Herculaneum is as interesting as Pompeii IMHO. Parking unbelievable
though when we were there ten years ago. The attendant had to be given
your keys so he could 'shuffle' the cars - not a concern in a hired
Panda.

Amalfi drive. Positano etc. Hairy when you meet the coaches coming the
other way but well worth the effort.

Never did Sorrento itself so can't comment.

You must try the local Greco di Tuffo white wine. Bring some back!

Wonderful memories of sipping Strega on our hotel terrace (somewhere up
the hill out of town can't remember the name).



--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I'd say ask Spike Milligan but you can't. He's dead.

 

Bad form. Senior moment and festive alcohol surfeit. Of course I 'did'
Sorrento - swordfish in the market etc. Never got to take a boat trip to
Capri for the 'Gracie Fields' connection.

--

+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR Moto Morini 2C/375 |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Heh. I looked it up on Google Earth and thought, "where's the car park?"

I like that sort of drive/ride. I've had a few close shaves in the Alps
with various vehicles filling hairpins etc. Closest was a Citroen BX on
the wrong side of the road in c1995: on the R-GS I would've probably
over-balanced but then I was riding a namby-pamby VFR750

I'm sure I will

I would have to go in the hold so it will have to be imported in an imbibed
state.

I'm not a big spirits drinker and that sounds vile.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strega

Sipping booze on the, probably chilly, terrace sounds fine though. I'll
stick to the Greco di Tuffo and other DOC/VdT Campania

 

As Pete suggested Herculaneum is a must and, IMO, better that Pompeii.

Capri is also worth a visit.

Sorrento is lovely but watch out for the mad scooterist.

I stayed at the Aminta, take a look at:
http://www.aminta.it/LiveVesuviuscam.htm#

 

Eat at Don Alfonso in St Agata. A few miles out of Sorrento on the road
leading round to Positano.

www.donalfonso.com

Personally, I wouldn't bother with Capri, unless you're staying there.
Atmosphere changes completely once the last day boat leaves the island -
whoch is fairly early.

 

I'll probably do both: the last few times in Italy have been in mid-summer
when wandering around outside was often uncomfortable due to the heat.

I've taken out the carrentals.co.uk insurance excess waiver based on
previous experience in Italy. Well worth the extra £2.50 a day.

A bit dark now. I'll check back in the morning. The hotel looks a bit posh
for me!

 

Looks nice: I covet that wine cellar.

Sounds like a good plan. I imagine it is going to be very quiet, which is
how I like it. As I will have a car staying on the mainland is probably
what I'll do: I like the historical stuff but I love just travelling
through fine scenery. Just need Amazon to send the Michelin map with the
green squigglies....

 

Cool we have stayed there too. Really liked Sorrento lovely town. Liked
the drive down the Amalfi coast to Positano, Minori. Majori and
somewhere inland from Majori whose name escapes me completely Not sure
if Capri is really worth the effort. Went to Herculaneum, that was very
interesting.

 

I agree, much better than Pompei. Notice how Herculaneum merges
seamlessly with present day Napoli.

Go south and see Paestum too, and maybe play at Jason and the Argonauts.
Don't blink or you may miss the Amalfi Coast.

But he's already a madman: _CAR_ hire!
Burn the heretic - ride up Vesuvius or into Solfatara.

 

Thanks - Paestum looks interesting

I'd love to take the bike but the first 1200 miles would be too chilly for
a nesh fucker like me...