Amalfi Coast / Greek Islands

[ramboflyer]

A double barrel question if I may. 3 couples going on a 4 week trip to Italy and Greece in around 11 months time. Limited time away due to those still working (present company excluded )

2 of the couples did Italy in 2015 and enjoyed Rome, Florence, Venice etc but this time we aim to see the Amalfi Coast. For the benefit of the other couple we plan to spend some time in Rome doing the big ticket items. The rough plan is 2 weeks in Italy and 2 weeks in Greece but that is fluid.

Been doing some research and as far as where to stay Positano and Amalfi are looking good due to amazing views from hillside accommodation and they both have water travel options. The other option is Sorrento but maybe not such good picturesque places to stay. Problem may be that one of our party doesn't get around that well and may have trouble with lots of steps etc. so I am hoping for suggestions on where to stay where we can have the views and easy access. No car hire is planned. We prefer self contained to mix up the eating out and eating in.

As far as Greek islands go I am finding it hard to get a handle on where to go and how long to stay there. Thinking of maybe basing in Santorini and ferrying around some other islands but there are so many of them! And of course then theres Athens to see. I would be interested in some suggestions of a rough itinerary for maybe 2 weeks and suggested accommodation - not necessarily self contained.

I wonder if we are allowing enough time to do all of those things and do justice to each given at least 4 days are taken getting there and home again? Maybe stay in Italy for the whole time might be best.

 

[Renato1]

Last year we stayed at Hotel Panorama in the upgraded fourth floor in Maiori. One can get ferries and buses to Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento and Salerno from there. I picked the hotel because it didn't have the crazy prices for parking my car that the few available in Amalfi and Positano had.

We really enjoyed Amalfi and Capri (and Anacapri), thought Sorrento was okay (though the locals didn't seem that friendly), and thought Positano was totally overrated. We did like Salerno and Pompeii a lot. And while scary at the time, we now laugh about our drive through the wild-west town of Angri - where the locals definitely looked mean and Angry, and there were no road rules.

But we absolutely loved our stay in Maiori.
Serendipity - what I'd thought to be a way station for our excursions to the other towns, was our favourite place by far.
Anybody going there would be wise to ignore the restaurants and head straight for the small place on the beach near the jetty, called Chiosco San Francesco. Moderate prices purchased big portions of what I consider to be the best home-cooking style food I've ever bought in Italy. One American was so taken by the lasagna that Francesco's wife cooked, that he organised for her to cook it, have it frozen, then flown to USA (there seemed to be an awful lot of very wealthy Americans staying in the town).
Regards,
Renato

 

[Deleted member]

all of those places have loads of steps. my favorite Island was Kefalonia, but i wasn't looking for loads of excitement, admittedly we spent only one day there as we were on a 7 day seaborne cruise (cruise at night) tour by day. we hired a small boat, found a cove, went swimming, walked up through the olive grove to a small and very basic taverna, had the "Best" lunch ever ( all about the day and vibe i think) coughpy wine, but who cares! vs Santorini, arguably the most famous of the Greek islands, better restaurant, dearer food and better wine, but not the same vibe (for me) as Kefalonia.
so many amazing places on the Amalfi, but it has been a while and any advice i could provide would be out of date. i am envious of your plans.



this was the bay we swam in

 

[drross]

Positano is a great place to base yourself..love it. Rome- only a day or two to do the touristy things and then head to the coast. Only stayed on santorini and stayed at a place called butterfly caldera....old, interesting staff, but absolutely great views and a good pool as a bonus. 2 great restaurants either side of butterfly. Shop across the road that sells cheap beer and wine. Butterfly really quite cheap. Have fun.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Been doing some research and as far as where to stay Positano and Amalfi are looking good due to amazing views from hillside accommodation and they both have water travel options. The other option is Sorrento but maybe not such good picturesque places to stay. Problem may be that one of our party doesn't get around that well and may have trouble with lots of steps etc. so I am hoping for suggestions on where to stay where we can have the views and easy access. No car hire is planned. We prefer self contained to mix up the eating out and eating in.

.

Was on the Amalfi Coast in August.


Positano is IMO far, far superior to Amalfi.

Positano runs along the coast. Whereas Amalfi is more along a valley. So Positano is IMO prettier, has more accommodation that has genuine water views and has more and wider beaches.

Having said that the Amalfi Coast is all about steps, and it is hard to avoid them! So yes you will need to choose wisely to minimise and lot avoid them completely.

My favourite bar for "sundowners" before choosing a restaurant for dinner was La Brezza La Brezza Net Art Cafè - Home Page

Via del Brigantino 1 - Positano ​

where they would serve free tastey fingerfood during the happy hour. If you choose a hotel near it you will have a wide variety of bars and restaurants with minimal stairs, you are on the main beach and the ferries all leave from in front of it.

You can hire locals to carry your bags to your hotel.

 

[drross]

agree with lovetravellinoz, the porter service in positano is execellent and very reasonably priced

 

[PLANT]

Any Greek island your going to have issues if you cant walk up stairs!
Myknos in the off season is quiet and cheaper than the others

 

[ramboflyer]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Some very helpful stuff to help planning.

 

[Cynicor]

I could do 4-5 nights in Santorini. Crete you need a car and it's much larger, I wasn't a huge fan. I would just pick one or two islands max.