driving holiday advice , Nice to Milan OR Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Positano areas

[smilesandsun]

Hi All,

I need some advice, we have never been to any of the destinations above but would like to spend our next holiday doing some exploring. We are traveling with two under 6, but they are used to car trips so I'm not too worried about that.

Has anyone done either of the above holidays? I'd love to hear any advice, like where to stay what we "must" see and what not to do or go to. Any website that may be of help to me I'd love to hear about too!!

Thanks in advance!! :)

I personally loathe driving down the amalfi coast it is a huge mass of curves bends, blind bends and the locals have no sympathy for foreigners either in hire cars or other. The area is lovely but I would probably explore using public transport or maybe excursions. I have hired a car locally and done Sorrento to Amalfi in a day . PLus been up and down the coast a bit . You need nerves of steel and the paitence of a saint !

We had a hotel transfer to Amalfi from Sorrento.. and even then I was scared shitless.

We stayed at the old convent in Amalfi (sorry the name escapes me) but its NOT family friendly..children not allowed in the pool

(this was pre children so fabulous for me and dh but wouldn't consider it now.

The Amalfi coast is gorgeous and there were a few children on the beach ...

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful bit of coastlines in the world (IMO) and I know it pretty well, but the driving there is hair-raising. There is basically just the one road - SS163 - which stretches all the way round the coast and which has been built by cutting into the cliffs and building bridges - very little scope to overtake but that doesn't stop the locals. If you get behind a bus you're stuffed - and there are a lot of buses. If you're twitchy re massive drops into the ocean to the side of you then you're stuffed.

So if you're good drivers and like a challenge then go for it, but first please Google Map (satellite view) it a lot first! It is a lovely area though.

In fact you can use the streetview thing - stick the little man in Atrani and explore from there.

thanks. Driving in the Amalfi Coast sounds like a nightmare! But the surroundings look so lovely....

What about a base to explore the region? ANy hotel recommendations?

We did a cruise at the beginining of the month, and spent some time around the French riviera. We docked in the most beautiful town called ville franche, which was totally amazing, horse shoe shaped bay, beach, lined with gorgeous liitle bars and restuarants. There was a play park that even had it's own child sized toilet.

The best thing is that it's right on the main train line, so in 7 minutes you can be in Nice, 10 minutes to Monacco/Monte Carlo. You can also get the train to Milan/Cannes etc. Would certainly reccomend it, infect it's what we plan to do next year. The trains were great - double decker, on time and really cheap I think it was 1 euro for a single to nice.

Thanks Geordieminx, I'm certainly going to research into 'ville franche'. It sounds like it could be a great place to explore from...

Any other hidden little gems like that would be most appreciated!

We've spent a week in Villefranche Sur Mer. Agree - it is gorgeous and easy to get about via train and bus. It is hilly though! (Useful for walking off large lunches)

You could drive easily from there to the Cinque Terre in Liguria stopping off along the Italian Riviera - San Remo, Genoa, Portofino , Rapallo etc as far as Portevenere/Lerici. The scenery is stunning.

See here

The train line also runs all the way along the coast. It is one of my favourite bits of the world.

Oooh portofino - you've made me def book it now.

It certainly was lovely, and couldnt belive how handy it was to get to other places.

Lots of flights to Nice from the UK which is handy.

We rented an apartment up the hill above the railway station/beach. The view over the bay was outstanding and we watched the cruise liners coming in each day. Quite often they had a firework display before they left at night. Twas fab!

We've also stayed in Ceriale, which is between Nice and Genoa, and Deiva Marina which is dead handy for the Cinque Terre villages by train or by boat. We always managed without a car, though obviously if you want to tour.....

Food was always fantastic! The dinners we had in Liguria are probably the best food we have ever eaten, and twas cheap compared to Tuscany I think. Lots of seafood.

Thanks Portofino, Liguria looks amazing. Def going to add it to my destinations for our 'touring' trip.

Any other places of interest or suggested travel routes most welcome, first time i've planned a trip like this.

We had a lovely week in February travelling down the coast from Naples to Sorrento, with our 3 young children.

I definately would not drive - see previous posts, but the bus service is fine. When we got to where we wanted to be we'd sit in a cafe with our rucksacks while my husband went off and found somewhere to stay.

The last place was Salerno, and we spent 2 nights there as we took a bus out to the temples at Paestum, which was the highlight for me.

We then took the train back to Naples, which took about 3 hours (I think - it was about 10 years ago).

Do take care in Naples, I enjoyed it until I had my bag snatched. The police were as helpful as they could be, but they'd obviously seen it happen time and time again.
The night after Naples was spent across the bay in Sorrento, which is completely different, partly because it was full of tourists who hadn't dared go to Naples.

An unmissable day out from Naples is Pompeii.

One of the things I love about Italy is the passegiata at the end of the day when it seems that the whole town turns out to walk up and down and chat. I remember my children being horrified by the number of women wearing fur coats.

Have a lovely time, wherever you go!

The amalfi coast is just beautiful-Capri and pompeii and positano all lovely to visit. The scenery is just breathtaking.

I love the Cote d' azur too though-St tropez etc nice to see but very touristy I really liked st Maxime .

thanks!

we were with locals when we went to Amalfi and Positano coast visiting, so the journey was fine as we were not driving! My Italian friend done all the drivin as she is so used to this area (she lives near Naples). It is a scary journey along the Amalfi coast though because there are so many sharp bends, if you are not used to it!! Thought I saw my life flashing right before my eyes as huge tourist coaches were coming towards us on the opposite side of the road!

You must visit Pompeii, and ofcourse Paestum temples(beautiful in the evening - as my Italian friend told me and she was so right!). Much easier having a local show you where to go, and explaining about the area too, good and bad points (safety, haggling etc). In the car parks, there are apparently men who will 'look after' the cars and they usually expect payment from you, and if you don't pay them my friend was telling me they can attack you with a knife. She always pays them a small fee, to keep the peace.

No idea about accommodation as we were staying with an Italian family (have been pen-friends with this girl for 11 years now...). I would imagine it's fairly expensive though.