Off Topic - Amalfi Coast

Moorf · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 11:53 pm Post subject: Off Topic - Amalfi Coast

Ok, okay - it's not NZ .. but I was given so many great tips for our trip to Berlin from all you intrepid travellers that I thought I'd try my luck and see if anyone here has visited the Amalfi Coast (between Sorrento and Positano) or LIVES near there and can give us some top tips!! Only there for a week - yes - it will be hot, yes - it will be crowded, but we have a villa away from it all and on the coast so we're prepared...

Pompeii (which I visited when I was 14!!) sounds like it could be a nightmare but gotta be done - but anyone have tips for off the beaten track trips?

Thanks in advance guys Nice One

Moorf & Woz

michelle · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 12:06 am Post subject:

Its lovely, pressume you are flying into Naples and then driving. Its not a great road as you probably know, we used buses, but they do pack 'em in. Not impressed with Sorrento, too commercial and busy but lots of people do like it so maybe its just us. I've driven in some strange places but I have to say that coast road would scare me.

Capri is inundated with boat loads of people everyday, OK to wander around but very pricy. Mt friend lived Ischia which she says is far nicer however I think that may be too far from where you are staying.

Pompei was good but there is very little shade try and go when the weather is overcast. We didn't use a guide because we didn't want to be stood out in the heat for long periods. Bought a guide book and tagged onto other parties for short periods as they went around. There is a train station nearby if you dont want to drive.

Sorry not much else I can tell you other than its a beautiful coast.

Michelle

Dave & Sandra · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 7:35 am Post subject:

If you decide to take a guided tour up Vesuvius - take some warm clothes. It was fairly chilly up there, or at least it was when we were there, with pockets of heat where the steam was venting. Photos of Dave looking miserable and shivering in shorts and t-shirt and me beaming in jeans and warm jacket. It would give you a pre-Rotarua experience. Clapping

Stayed in a guest house with a view of Capri filling the window which was beautiful and had to look up my first Italian phrase. 'La luce non funziona' - the light doesn't work. Absolutely love the Amalfi coast, Dave and I have very pleasant memories of it. Still have some little elephant figurines bought in Sorrento, just over (Oh my goodness) 20 years ago. The marquetry pictures that you can buy there are lovely too. Have memories of Capri and the Blue Grotto that you have to get into a little boat to view, Pompeii, Vesuvius and Positano which is almost vertical being built on the surrounding hillside.

Ah, happy memories. Yes

ruthyroo · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 39

Hi Moorf, god it is so cold and wet in NZ just now you have made me wish I was somewhere hot and sunny! We stayed jsut outside Sorento for a week a couple of years ago.

Liked - Sorrento, pretty touristy but nice for wandering in the evenings, and the food was consistenly fabulous everywhere. Amalfi / Positano - again good for wandering and eating and enjoying the sights. Pompeii - although poured with rain the day we went (which at least kept it quiet) it was extraordinary, don't miss it even if it is mobbed. Phlegrean Fields - active volcanic area round to the west of Naples, you can get the train to naples then a bus out to the fields. Really enjoyed these, and a foretaste of the geothermal wonders here in Rotorua! Capri - there is a great walk from the town up to the roman villa - tiberius I think - where you are rewarded for the climb with a fantastic view.

Didn't like - Naples. I know I know that makes me really snooty and british but I thought it was dirty, noisy, poor and threatening. Lots of middle aged british couples in Sorrento sniping at each other and complaining about the toilets! Bus to Amalfi - was mobbed and uncomfortable.

have a great time and send some hot sunshine vibes this way - spring has to come soon!

Moorf · Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:00 am Post subject:

Thanks guys - I visited Naples when I was 14 (errr, again 20 yrs ago Eek

) and remember then not liking it much - as you say, bit dirty etc but hey, its a busy town. We have already decided that the most we will see is on the way to and from the airport!!

My father and I are mad, mad foodies so much time will be spent seeking out the restaurants where the locals eat and into the country for some REAL Italian cooking ... hmmm I am meant to be trying to lose weight ready for the BMI test for the medicals (oh just realised- we go to Italy one week AFTER the meds...YAY!)

We are staying in a place just a walk away from the Emerald Grotto and it's only a week so might limit it to Pompeii (for the rest of them that haven't seen it) and then some serious shopping and slobbing in Sorrento, Positano and other coastal towns!

Can't wait - and when we get back its just 2 weeks until we fly to NZ .... Eek

nave · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:02 am Post subject: Amalfi and Sorrento

Hi Moorf!
As an Italian I should be the most useful to give you info, but I am not. As I told you, never been there. And to be honest, it's not the place I'd love to spend a week in August. Plenty of quieter and more organized places around here... But I know Amalfi Coast has a particular fascination on foreigners (don't know why...) and I am sure it has a very beautiful landscape.
I did not understand when you are leaving exactly, but September would be much better.
However, have a nice holiday and good luck for your next departure for NZ!
Elena Nice One

Moorf · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:12 am Post subject:

Thanks Elena ... we are off 28th - 5th Sept !! We managed to get in just at the end of August and going later would be toooo close to our NZ flight!

Got my guide book through from Amazon today - I think we'll stay near the villa on the coast and the villages around there with a good book, a bottle of vino and dark sunnies so I can ogle the Italian men (ooops, forget hubby reads these Embarassed

) !!

nave · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:18 am Post subject: Amalfi

Good for the period, beginning of September will be ok... all Italians will be back to work (those who have got one, I mean...)!
Bye
Elena

Moorf · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:20 am Post subject:

Phew!

How's your application coming along Elena?

nave · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:31 am Post subject: Application

Maybe I do not understand the question right. If you mean, how is proceeding my application, the answer is: we still have to begin! We are just looking around and trying to understand is NZ is really the place we would like to live. There are great things there, but also some we do not like a lot. So we are still in the first phase.
My husband is sending resumes all day long, but there are no great answers. Of course, we are not english mothertongue, no university degrees, etc. However, once an man from Australia came to visit the firm where my husband was working (7 yrs ago...) and kept asking all employees there to go and work for him. As if there was a lack of this professionality over there. But now, it seems everything has changed. Or may be NZ is completely different from Australia. My husband, by the way, is industrial designer (3D - in particular in the plastic moulds sector).
So we will wait and see. If I remeber well, you are in the IT. When you will have lived in NZ for a while, maybe you will be in a position to tell us if there are possibilities for an industrial designer or not .
Bye for now.

Moorf · Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2004 3:41 am Post subject:

Oh I see, sorry I didn't realises you were at the beginning! It is quite difficult to get a good response from potential employers by sending CV's to them - they much prefer you to be in NZ at the time of the application - at least that is our experience and what we have been told by others.

Hope you find something soon - we'll keep our eyes open when there for an industrial designer vacancy Nice One

michelle · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 2:51 am Post subject:

Moorf

Get the Times today the travel supplement features Sorrento, Pompei etc

Michelle

Moorf · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 7:00 am Post subject:

Aaarrgghhh - just got in from a day at the West Dean Chilli Festival (hmmm chilli's and 29degrees of scorching sun Nutcase

) so haven't had a chance to get the supplement... Sad

tyagiUK · Testing The Water Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 8

We went to Sorrento earlier this year for a couple of weeks. First time I've been to Italy.

In general, it was a nice area, and I would go again for a short break. The scenery is excellent when you get down the Amalfi coast towards Positano / Amalfi and as always, the food is just superb.

We went to Pompeii etc. and thoroughly enjoyed it. If it's sunny weather, take an umbrella or large hat for shade. Certainly take something to cover your shoulders and head.

Plus sides: food, scenery, weather, history

Down sides: traffic, tourist trap (particularly Capri), locals weren't too friendly (but who can blame them given the volume of tourists in the area)

Moorf · Posted: Sat Aug 14, 2004 1:30 am Post subject:

OH NO - this was meant to be a chill out holiday before the stress of the NZ move - now B.Airways may make it into a potential HELL if they strike (we re flying BA Sad

).

Really don't need this...