RAVELLO – AMALFI COAST - ITALY

Ravello is a small and beautiful village located on a hill and this lucky position makes it the most panoramic location on the Amalfi Coast. It’s all pedestrian, with narrow stone streets, breathtaking views of the sky and the sea, Mediterranean atmosphere, genuine cuisine and welcoming people!! Ravello is the essence of the Old and Mediterranean Italy… few places have managed to be the same as they were centuries ago… Ravello is so romantic and so secluded: when you leave the main square and you come up through the narrows streets…it seems to leave the modern society and uproars behind you and be enclosed in a dreamful atmosphere and an extemporary silence.

HOW TO REACH THE AMALFI COAST

FROM ROME TO THE RAVELLO

There are 2 alternative ways to reach Ravello from Rome. In the first case you have to take 2 trains and a car and in the second case only a car

 1st step: FROM ROME FIUMICINO take the Leonardo Express running everyday from 6:36 am to 11:36 pm. The cost of the ticket is Euro 11 per person (free for children under 12 years) and drop off at STAZIONE TERMINI in ROME (train station)  2ND step: FROM STAZIONE TERMINI (train station) to NAPOLI CENTRALE (train station): you can check the schedule of the trains on line: www.trenitalia.it and also buy your ticket.  3RD step: private transfer from NAPOLI CENTRALE to Ravello. Ask spouses for the reservation of the private transfer.

 1st step: FROM ROME FIUMICINO to RAVELLO: book a private transfer. This is surely the most comfortable way to travel and it’s particularly recommended for late arrivals.

FROM NAPLES TO THE AMALFI COAST

VISIT: MAP FROM NAPLES TO AMALFI COAST (click on this weblink) Note: Fares may be subjected to a variation of cost

 1st step: FROM NAPLES TO SORRENTO (by Train – Circumvesuviana)  2ND step: FROM SORRENTO TO THE AMALFI COAST (by Bus – SITA)

Step: n. 1 – From Naples to Sorrento From Naples airport if you would like to use the public transportation services you need take a taxi or bus to the railway station (Napoli Centrale) at Piazza Garibaldi. Travel time about 30' min by taxi - approximately Euro 30,00. The most conveniently located railway station in Naples is that of Napoli Centrale, at Piazza Garibaldi, where on a lower level you can get a Circumvesuviana line (tel. 081/7722444) local train to Sorrento. There is one train leaving every 30 minutes to Sorrento. The cost is approximately Euro 4,00 pp. The Circumvesuviana Line is used by many visitors to reach Herculaneum and Pompeii, runs on to Sorrento, starting point of the Amalfi Drive. Sorrento's Stazione Centrale doubles as the town's main bus terminal, so it's also a departure point for buses serving Amalfi Coast towns. Step: n. 2 – From Sorrento to the Amalfi Coast (main stop AMALFI) In Sorrento, close to the station is the bus stop "SITA" for Positano-Praiano-Amalfi SITA Blue Line buses and coaches depart hourly from Sorrento to Amalfi (with stops in Positano, Praiano & Conca dei Marini). Before boarding, buy SITA tickets at the Mayflower Bar, Bar dei Fiori (Piazza Lauro), the newspaper stand in the train station, or Bar Tonino (Piazza Lauro). Service usually begins at 6 AM and lasts until 10:00 PM, with varying schedule for weekends and holidays. Please check schedule by visiting website: http://www.sitabus.it/wps/portal/OrariCampania (look at QUADRO 15: Amalfi – Positano- Sorrento) Towns along the Amalfi Coast and on the Sorrentine peninsula are also served by Campania's extensive regional bus network, which includes municipal buses along with intercity service provided by two main companies: ACTP (PHONE: 081/7001111) usually handles medium- and long-distance routes out of Naples, and SITA (Via Pisanelli 3, just south of Piazza Municipio, PHONE: 081/5522176 or 081/5934644 or PHONE: 081/5522176 or 081/5934644) serves the Amalfi Coast, connecting Sorrento with Salerno. SITA Blue Line buses make the trip along the coast 22 times daily between 6:30 AM and 10 PM (festival, Sunday, and bank holiday schedules vary from weekday schedule). Wallet-size SITA schedules are available at ticket vendors, regional tourist offices, and from hotel concierges, or contact SITA in Salerno (Via Irno 2-4, PHONE: 089/791660). Schedules are also posted at the Sorrento train station and at the SITA bus office at Bar Sita, Piazza Flavio Gioia in Amalfi. Tickets must be purchased in advance. You'll find ticket vendors in many cafés, bars, and newsstands area-wide, in addition to bus company offices. One-way trip prices range from 1,00 Euro to 2,00 Euro. For best views en route, sit on the sea side of the bus (on your left as you board the bus if you're starting in Sorrento, on your right if you begin at the other end of the Amalfi Coast). The bus driver will stop anywhere on the main route as long as you inform him of your destination, be it hotel or fork in the road, when boarding.  From Amalfi to Ravello – client must get off in Amalfi and take ATACS (Orange buses) to Ravello – about 20 minutes drive.

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS Amalfi You can purchase SITA Blue Line tickets prior to boarding at Bar Sita (Piazza Flavio Gioia) or any port-side bar, travel agency, or tobacco shop displaying a SITA sticker; all SITA buses leave Amalfi from Piazza Flavio Gioia. A special express bus to Naples departs many mornings at 8 AM (3,00 Euro); catching this bus makes for an easy and scenic ride back to the city.

Positano Purchase SITA Blue Line tickets prior to boarding at the Tabaccheria (Piazza dei Mulini) as well as at other tobacconists and cafés. The Blue Line bus stops in Positano are at Chiesa Nuova in the upper town and Sponda in the lower town. SITA buses pass through town almost hourly, from 7 AM-7:30 PM (later on weekdays) on the run from Amalfi to Sorrento; and from 9 (earlier on weekdays)-9:30 PM (later on weekdays) on the run from Sorrento to Amalfi.

Ravello ATACS (Orange Line) municipal buses make the run up and down the mountain between Ravello and Piazza Flavio Gioia in Amalfi, from where you can connect to the main Amalfi Drive. You can purchase SITA Blue Line bus tickets prior to boarding, at Bar San Domingo (Piazza Duomo, PHONE: 089/857142); Bar Calce (Via Roma 2, PHONE: 089/857152); and Tabaccheria (Via dei Rufolo 4). Buses run almost hourly.

Salerno SITA (Via Irno 2-4, PHONE: 089/791660) buses run hourly to Sorrento, three times per hour to Naples, and once or twice an hour to Amalfi. Purchase tickets at the SITA office or at tobacco shops displaying the SITA sticker. ATACS (Orange Line) buses run locally through the city. ATACS and SCAT buses (Salerno train station) run frequently to Paestum.

TRAVELLING BY CAR TO THE AMALFI COAST From the North: at Caserta Sud get into motorway A30 towards Salerno-Reggio Calabria, exit Salerno, then the S.S. 163 "Amalfitana". It could be an alternative way, if you have to reach Ravello, Scala or Tramonti, exit "Pagani-Nocera", following the signs "Costiera Amalfitana", then "Valico di Chiunzi". From the South: take the motorway A3 to Naples, follow the road markings to Salerno, then the S.S. 163 "Amalfitana". Please rent cars through your local travel agent. Cars can be rented at Naples Capodichino Airport: CAR RENTALS IN NAPLES (AIRPORT) – click on the link

Parking is a major problem. It is often a good idea (if not the only option) to park your car in a designated (preferably attended) lot. Parking in an area signposted zona disco (disk zone) is allowed for limited periods (from 30 minutes to two hours or more - the limit is posted); if you don't have the cardboard disk (inquire at the local tourist office) to show what time you parked, you can use a piece of paper. The parcometro, the Italian version of metered parking in which you put coins into a machine for a stamped ticket that you leave on the dashboard, has been introduced in some places. It's advisable to leave your car only in guarded parking areas. Therefore, for a tranquil vacation, we advise leaving your own car at home and making use of taxi, private transfers or public transport as explained below.

ARRIVING TO THE AMALFI COAST BY FERRY Mergellina station is the closest railway station to molo Beverello and can be reached by taxi in a few minutes. Taxis are also the ideal form of transportation for those arriving at Capodichino airport. Choosing this option offers the additional advantage of being able to see unique panoramas such as Capri, Vesuvius, Ischia and the whole of the Sorrentina-Amalfitana coastline. Boats departing from molo Beverello stop at Positano as well as at Amalfi. Then from these 2 main stops you can reach your final destination. By Boat to the Amalfi Coast Headquartered in Naples, the Metro del Mare is an extension of urban public transport -- by sea. Operating since 2002, it connects the northern ports of Bacoli and Pozzuoli to Naples and from there goes to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. The service runs from May through October, with three boats a day between Naples and Positano. Check the local papers (Il Mattino or La Repubblica) for timetables or go to www.metrodelmare.com. To get to smaller towns or to take private boats, you can make arrangements with private boat companies or independent fishermen. Seek out people who are recommended by the tourist office or your hotel.

Headquartered in Amalfi, ferries operated by Linee Maritime Salernitane (a consorzio which includes lines run by Alicost and Metro del Mare) cover the region. Ferries sail from Salerno to Positano (about EUR 6); Salerno to Amalfi (EUR 5); and Salerno to Capri (EUR11.50). A hydrofoil connects Amalfi to Salerno (EUR5.50); Salerno to Positano (EUR 8.50; and Salerno to Capri (EUR13.50). Hydrofoils usually run only in summer, less frequently than ferries. Tickets can be purchased at booths usually located on piers and docks.

In Positano, the ferry and hydrofoil ticket office is on the Spiaggia Grande; ferries to Amalfi, Sorrento, Salerno, and Capri are available at a dock on Via Positanesi d'America, near the public beach in the center of town. Services are provided by Linee Maritime Partenopee and F.lli Grassi, which is located at the pier -- look for the logo depicting a blue-and-white whale.

In Salerno, ferries to Amalfi and Positano leave from the main port at Piazza della Concordia; ferries continuing to Capri and Ischia leave from the west end of the waterfront at Molo Manfredi. A typical schedule is an early-morning departure and a late-afternoon return; the EPT (Ente Provinciale di Turismo, or local tourist board) office has current information, as does the Cooperative Sant'Andrea. Hydrofoil service is available in summer to Amalfi, Positano, Capri, and Sorrento.

In Sorrento, ferries and hydrofoils are operated by Alilauro, Caremar, Linee Lauro, Linee Marittime Partenopee; services -- and fares -- have been stepped up to Capri and there are frequent sailings of a variety of fast and slow craft (hydrofoil EUR8.50, ferry EUR6.50). Sorrento to Naples costs EUR10 and to Ischia Porto EUR12, with Salerno, Amalfi, and Positano served in the summer.

Boat and Ferry Information

Alicost (PHONE: 089/871483). Alilauro (PHONE: 081/8073024). Alilauro-Gruson (PHONE: 081/8071430). Caremar (PHONE: 081/8073077). Linee Maritime Salernitane (PHONE: 089/873301 in Amalfi; 089/811164 in Postiano; 081/8073024 in Sorrento). Positano ferry and hydrofoil ticket office (Via del Brigantino, Italy. PHONE: 089/811986). Travelmar (PHONE: 089/872950).

EXCURSIONS

Ravello is an excellent and quiet base to stay and visit the rest of the Amalfi Coast. Here below you find a list of locations, pearls of the Amalfi Coast and compulsory destinations for those who wants to know this unique coast and enjoy the local cuisine.

POMPEI

In 79 AD Mt Vesuvius erupted volcanic ashes and lapilli over the village of Pompeii: the entire town and around 20,000 of its inhabitants were buried under tons of ash and pumice. 2,000 years later, You have the chance to visit these well- preserved ruins.

AMALFI

Amalfi is located on the beach and it is the most touristic, there’s the bus station right in front of the sea and every day buses take tourists from Amalfi to the main touristic spots on the Amalfi Coast. In Amalfi there’s also a wealthy port, it is used for both touristic and economic purposes, ferries take tourists to beautiful islands such as Capri, Procina and Ischia! Amalfi is a labyrinth of narrow and crowed streets, local people live in close contact with tourists and local food shops are attached to all the many souvenir shops. If in all the other locations of the Amalfi Coast, the fruit of lemon is the absolute protagonist, here in Amalfi there’s the visceral veneration of the hot chilli! You will see chilli hanged to walls and many baskets full of those small red peppers!! Surely the most appreciated souvenier!

POSITANO

Positano is surely the most mundane and “young” location on the Amalfi Coast. The structure of the town is very original: its buildings cling, in tiers to the rock face. The vibrant colours and the white of the buildings form a perfect canvas for the bright flowers which decorate the houses. Positano is synonymous with beach fashion, its elegant shop windows are full of displays of brightly coloured robes, bikinis, bags, and Bermuda shorts all made in cool linen, gauze and cotton. In addition to clothing, Positano is known for the production of accessories. The Positano sandals, flip flops, wooden and cork clogs, and cloth slippers with rope soles, are made by famous shoe makers, and by cobblers, who are able to create pairs of shoes, by hand, on request, while the customers wait outside. Positano is full of small restaurants where it’s possible to taste delicious fish dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine and above all the most typical and traditional cake: Delizia al Limone!

SORRENTO

Sorrento is more similar to a city than a village and for this reason it’s quite different from Ravello, Amalfi and Positano. In Sorrento there are many restaurants, shops and it’s very lively! After the beautiful sea view, surely the main attraction is constituted by shopping. It is possible to buy handicrafts such as inlaid works, artistic ceramics and scented wax, or delicacies like "limoncello" sweets, "rosolio" liqueur, jams and preserved vegetables, or silver jewels, corals and cameos, valuable embroideries on table-cloths and handkerchiefs, Neapolitan eighteenth century crib’s figurines or composition of withered flowers. During the summer time most of the shops are open until 12 pm, so if you prefer laying on the beach all the day long, you can go shopping after dinner in the evening! After 7 in the evening tasso Square and Corso Italia Road are traffic free areas and there are lights of bars, pubs and restaurants everywhere. The streets are crowded of tourists and young people going for the evening walk and tasting a delicious ice-cream.

CAPRI

Capri is a sea of emotions, a dream, a million charming secrets to discover: maybe it really is an Enchanted Island. Capri is described in many ways: The blue Island, The sleeping beauty, or better The Island of Love. But the most suitable description is the one which each of us as children has attributed to the place of his dreams. The isle of Capri has two cities: Capri and Anacapri. It is surrounded & bathed from the Mar Tirreno, distant 35 km from the Neapolitan coasts and connected to the peninsula sorrentina from a submarine rocks extension along 5 Km. With its limestone cliff covers a territory of 10,36 Kmq, the rocky coasts is mostly high and offer many grottoes; the highest part of Capri isle is the Solaro mount that arrives to 586 mt. The climate is moderated and humid, therefore the many species of plants and above all Mediterranean spot. The fauna, instead, is rather insufficient. There are many natural beauty like the Grotta Azzurra and i Faraglioni rocks. The easily way to get on Capri island is embarking on the ferries from the port of Naples, or from Sorrento. In any case the disembarking is in Marina Grande on the North of Capri island, where is also located the harbour dock for private boats.

We wish you a wonderful vacation and hope you will treasure the memories of these places forever!