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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
Hi
I am taking a 5 night trip to Italy in a few weeks with my husband and plan the following: Day 1 - arrive/get to hotel on the outskirts of Rome Day 2 - Rome Day 3 - head to the coast and travel down the coast to hotel at Sperlonga Day 4 - drive as far down the Amalfi coast and back as we can Day 5 - leisure in or around Sperlonga In Rome I want to see the Colleseum and the Trevi fountain - they are my must sees. Although we only have a day, it will be a long day and I'd like to think we'll see more than those two things. I wondered if people had any "hidden gems" - quaint streets, pretty sights, not necesarily tourist sights, in fact, quite the opposite. I love photography - of people, places etc if that helps, i.e. I'm not particularly interested in museums and art galleries. And the same question for days 3, 4 and 5 really - what are the "must sees" or your favourite things to see that are not even tourist attractions. Thanks very much in anticipation! Lynda |
#2
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
Make credence recognised that on Sat, 31 Mar 2007 12:32:28 +0100,
Lynda has scripted: Hi I am taking a 5 night trip to Italy in a few weeks with my husband and plan the following: Day 1 - arrive/get to hotel on the outskirts of Rome Why on earth get a hotel on the outskirts? Stay near the centre, and do yourself a favour! Day 2 - Rome Day 3 - head to the coast and travel down the coast to hotel at Sperlonga Day 4 - drive as far down the Amalfi coast and back as we can That sounds hellish to me. Are you aware of what traffic is like in Italy? Day 5 - leisure in or around Sperlonga In Rome I want to see the Colleseum and the Trevi fountain - they are my must sees. Although we only have a day, it will be a long day and I'd like to think we'll see more than those two things. I wondered if people had any "hidden gems" - quaint streets, pretty sights, not necesarily tourist sights, in fact, quite the opposite. I love photography - of people, places etc if that helps, i.e. I'm not particularly interested in museums and art galleries. Neither am I, but I suggest putting on a pair of really good shoes and just walking. Rome is a big city, with gems around near every corner. 5 nights in Rome is about enough to see the best bits, without even considering the Amalfi coast, which is a long way away! -- --- DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com --- -- |
#3
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
"Lynda" wrote in message ... Day 3 - head to the coast and travel down the coast to hotel at Sperlonga Day 4 - drive as far down the Amalfi coast and back as we can Day 5 - leisure in or around Sperlonga I don't know if you have been to this part of Italy before but if you haven't, you might consider looking at taking a boat from Positano to Amalfi rather than driving. Here is one link of many: http://www.costadiamalfi.it/english/...le_ferries.htm I don't know how accurate it is but you could find out your selves on the web. If you drive, the A3 Autostrada past Naples and around Vesuvius is strictly for the connoisseurs of Italian driving. Unless you are deeply into masochism, you might want to give it a miss. Amalfi is nice enough but you might enjoy spending some time in Sorrento as well. It is a nice town with lots of reasonable restaurants although it is a bit touristy. You can combine the two by juggling the ferries. The coast road from Rome to Naples is pretty boring with a succession of seaside towns such as Anzio and Nettuno which are fine if you want a day beside the seaside but otherwise not worth the detour. You might be better driving directly down the via Appia, SS.7, to Terracina thence to Sperlonga or the via Pontina, SS.146, via Latina (but you don't want to stop off there) thence to Sperlonga. Having said that, one part of the coast road which is interesting is the bit from near Latina to San Felice Circeo thence to Terracina. It is pleasantly scenic without much traffic. On the way you pass through a New Town, Sabaudia, built during the Fascist period which I found interesting. San Felice is nice. it is a weekend retreat for the well healed Romani and, although quite small, is worth a lunch stop. If you had the time and felt inclined, you could take the boat to Ponza on the Pontine Islands. They are much less touristy than Capri and, IMHO, much nicer. It's about a two hour ride. It is a pity that you don't like museums because on the road to Sperlonga you pass the site of one of Tiberius's Villas with a fish farm. It is really quite interesting. If your hotel in Sperlonga doesn't inspire you, you might like to look at this reataurant if you want a good meal: http://www.gliarchi.com/home.htm Hope this helps. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") |
#4
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
Thanks for this, I found it very helpful. Is driving in Italy as "bad" as everyone keeps telling me? We''ve driven in Paris before and lived to tell the tale. Most people we speak to think we are mad for contemplating any driving - but my husband is a confident driver, I just wondered what we should expect, especially on those hairpin bends on the Amalfi coast! I will probably look out the Tiberius Villa - it's not that I don't like museums which I probably indicated, more that with only one day in Rome looking 'round museums would not be my first choice if I could be outdoors taking photos. Anyway, thanks again Lynda On Sat, 31 Mar 2007 20:53:30 +0100, "FredBear" wrote: "Lynda" wrote in message .. . Day 3 - head to the coast and travel down the coast to hotel at Sperlonga Day 4 - drive as far down the Amalfi coast and back as we can Day 5 - leisure in or around Sperlonga I don't know if you have been to this part of Italy before but if you haven't, you might consider looking at taking a boat from Positano to Amalfi rather than driving. Here is one link of many: http://www.costadiamalfi.it/english/...le_ferries.htm I don't know how accurate it is but you could find out your selves on the web. If you drive, the A3 Autostrada past Naples and around Vesuvius is strictly for the connoisseurs of Italian driving. Unless you are deeply into masochism, you might want to give it a miss. Amalfi is nice enough but you might enjoy spending some time in Sorrento as well. It is a nice town with lots of reasonable restaurants although it is a bit touristy. You can combine the two by juggling the ferries. The coast road from Rome to Naples is pretty boring with a succession of seaside towns such as Anzio and Nettuno which are fine if you want a day beside the seaside but otherwise not worth the detour. You might be better driving directly down the via Appia, SS.7, to Terracina thence to Sperlonga or the via Pontina, SS.146, via Latina (but you don't want to stop off there) thence to Sperlonga. Having said that, one part of the coast road which is interesting is the bit from near Latina to San Felice Circeo thence to Terracina. It is pleasantly scenic without much traffic. On the way you pass through a New Town, Sabaudia, built during the Fascist period which I found interesting. San Felice is nice. it is a weekend retreat for the well healed Romani and, although quite small, is worth a lunch stop. If you had the time and felt inclined, you could take the boat to Ponza on the Pontine Islands. They are much less touristy than Capri and, IMHO, much nicer. It's about a two hour ride. It is a pity that you don't like museums because on the road to Sperlonga you pass the site of one of Tiberius's Villas with a fish farm. It is really quite interesting. If your hotel in Sperlonga doesn't inspire you, you might like to look at this reataurant if you want a good meal: http://www.gliarchi.com/home.htm Hope this helps. (\__/) (='.'=) (")_(") |
#5
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
"Lynda" wrote:
Is driving in Italy as "bad" as everyone keeps telling me? We''ve driven in Paris before and lived to tell the tale. Most people we speak to think we are mad for contemplating any driving - but my husband is a confident driver, I just wondered what we should expect, especially on those hairpin bends on the Amalfi coast!... I've driven in both Rome and Paris. Paris was a breeze compared to Rome. When I drove in Rome ('81), it seemed like that there was only one traffic light in all of Rome. Street signs were above the 1st floor on the sides of buildings, but of course, I did not know this. I have been back to Rome 2x since then and left the driving to insane taxi drivers. The Amafi coast was a great drive. We did it from South to North in the off-season month of April, which meant (1) driving on the cliff-side of the road, and (b) much less traffic than during Summer months. |
#6
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
Driving in Italy can be challenging but isn't all that bad. The major
problem will be the quality of the roads in the rural areas which will really slow your progress and crowding in the cities. Both can occur in areas of the US and in other parts of Europe. The Amalfi coast is a problem -- like coastal California -- in that a competent driver will see almost nothing. It is much more enjoyable to have a professional so that you can look at the views. For your passengers there is no advantage. The bends on the coast are much easier than in the mountains of anywhere. Lynda wrote: Thanks for this, I found it very helpful. Is driving in Italy as "bad" as everyone keeps telling me? We''ve driven in Paris before and lived to tell the tale. Most people we speak to think we are mad for contemplating any driving - but my husband is a confident driver, I just wondered what we should expect, especially on those hairpin bends on the Amalfi coast! I will probably look out the Tiberius Villa - it's not that I don't like museums which I probably indicated, more that with only one day in Rome looking 'round museums would not be my first choice if I could be outdoors taking photos. Anyway, thanks again Lynda On Sat, 31 Mar 2007 20:53:30 +0100, "FredBear" wrote: "Lynda" wrote in message . .. Day 3 - head to the coast and travel down the coast to hotel at Sperlonga Day 4 - drive as far down the Amalfi coast and back as we can Day 5 - leisure in or around Sperlonga I don't know if you have been to this part of Italy before but if you haven't, you might consider looking at taking a boat from Positano to Amalfi rather than driving. Here is one link of many: http://www.costadiamalfi.it/english/...le_ferries.htm I don't know how accurate it is but you could find out your selves on the web. If you drive, the A3 Autostrada past Naples and around Vesuvius is strictly for the connoisseurs of Italian driving. Unless you are deeply into masochism, you might want to give it a miss. Amalfi is nice enough but you might enjoy spending some time in Sorrento as well. It is a nice town with lots of reasonable restaurants although it is a bit touristy. You can combine the two by juggling the ferries. The coast road from Rome to Naples is pretty boring with a succession of seaside towns such as Anzio and Nettuno which are fine if you want a day beside the seaside but otherwise not worth the detour. You might be better driving directly down the via Appia, SS.7, to Terracina thence to Sperlonga or the via Pontina, SS.146, via Latina (but you don't want to stop off there) thence to Sperlonga. Having said that, one part of the coast road which is interesting is the bit from near Latina to San Felice Circeo thence to Terracina. It is pleasantly scenic without much traffic. On the way you pass through a New Town, Sabaudia, built during the Fascist period which I found interesting. San Felice is nice. it is a weekend retreat for the well healed Romani and, although quite small, is worth a lunch stop. If you had the time and felt inclined, you could take the boat to Ponza on the Pontine Islands. They are much less touristy than Capri and, IMHO, much nicer. It's about a two hour ride. It is a pity that you don't like museums because on the road to Sperlonga you pass the site of one of Tiberius's Villas with a fish farm. It is really quite interesting. If your hotel in Sperlonga doesn't inspire you, you might like to look at this reataurant if you want a good meal: http://www.gliarchi.com/home.htm Hope this helps. |
#7
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
"Rog'" wrote:
The Amafi coast was a great drive. We did it from South to North in the off-season month of April, which meant driving on the cliff-side of the road... Clarification: ...as opposed to the sea-side. Hugging the inside of the cliff was less scenic perhaps, but also less hair-raising. The autostrata: The first time we came to a toll ticket dispenser, there was no other traffic for me to follow by example, and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to get a transit ticket. I looked all over, then finally pushed this round button. DOH! |
#8
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
On Sat, 31 Mar 2007 12:32:28 +0100, Lynda
wrote: Hi I am taking a 5 night trip to Italy in a few weeks with my husband and plan the following: Day 1 - arrive/get to hotel on the outskirts of Rome Day 2 - Rome Day 3 - head to the coast and travel down the coast to hotel at Sperlonga Day 4 - drive as far down the Amalfi coast and back as we can Day 5 - leisure in or around Sperlonga In Rome I want to see the Colleseum and the Trevi fountain - they are my must sees. Although we only have a day, it will be a long day and I'd like to think we'll see more than those two things. I wondered if people had any "hidden gems" - quaint streets, pretty sights, not necesarily tourist sights, in fact, quite the opposite. I love photography - of people, places etc if that helps, i.e. I'm not particularly interested in museums and art galleries. And the same question for days 3, 4 and 5 really - what are the "must sees" or your favourite things to see that are not even tourist attractions. Thanks very much in anticipation! Lynda Include the Forum - it's right next to the Colosseum anyway. And, if there's time, the Vatican Museum (it's more than that) will provide some great photos. If you're driving to the Amalfi coast, consider including Pompeii in your travels. On driving, I say a little more about that he http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/2006/11/italy.html Take it easy and don't be in a hurry:-) Cheers, Alan, Australia -- http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/ latest: Epidaurus http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/ |
#9
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Rome, Coast to Sperlonga & Amalfi Coast Trip
Lynda wrote:
Is driving in Italy as "bad" as everyone keeps telling me? Probably not. Driving on the highways is easy. But driving in the big cities (Rome, Naples, etc.) can be very difficult. There are several reasons for that: 1. Lots of one-way streets. You can't usually tell from a map which way a street goes. I once tried to return a rented car in downtown Rome. I got within four blocks of where I was going, but it took me a further hour of experimenting to find the right combination of streets to actually get there. 2. Few traffic lights. 3. Unfamiliarity with local driving customs 4. When you get where you're going, there's usually no place to park. We''ve driven in Paris before and lived to tell the tale. Most people we speak to think we are mad for contemplating any driving - but my husband is a confident driver, I just wondered what we should expect, especially on those hairpin bends on the Amalfi coast! I don't think the Amalfi coast is particularly difficult to drive, but I recommend against doing so. The problem is that the driver needs to devote his attention to the road and will miss seeing most of the scenery. Instead, I recommend that you take the local bus, so both of you can see the surrounding terrain, which is very beatiful. -- Ken Blake Please reply to the newsgroup |
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