It is almost impossible to find an area in Italy that I don’t like. Scenery, history, food and wine……everything is wonderful. Once you have visited the important to-do’s – Rome, Florence, Venice – it’s time to explore the rest of the country.

Ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I have visited: Sicily (reviewed 7/28-8/6/06 with Explore Co., U.K.); Tuscany (reviewed 5/27-6/5/06 with Sherpa Expeditions); hiked and snow-shoed in the Italian Alps (Cortina, Merano, Ortesi…to name a few); and spent time in Italy’s magnificent Lake Districts (Como, Maggiore, Lugano and Orta). It was inevitable that sooner or later we’d work our way towards the famous Amalfi Coast, known as “Sea of Ulysses, Land of the Sirens” and playground for the rich and famous. A plus was the entire peninsula is criss-crossed with marked hiking trails.

Where to stay? Ravello, Amalfi, Positano and Capri – all on the southern side of the Sorrentine (or Amalfi) Peninsula were the main towns, each with their own attractions. And there was Sorrento on the opposite side of the Peninsula.

- Ravello. Only three miles from Amalfi, up a mountain, spread out over the hilltop with many gardens and walkways. The deluxe Palazzo Sasso, in Ravello is consistently ranked one of the finest restaurants and hotels in the world.

- Amalfi. A maritime power in the Middle Ages with several historical sights, beaches, and another charming town leading inland into the Valle di Mulini (Valley of the Mills). Amalfi also had good ferry and bus connections up and down the coast.

- Positano. One of the most photographed fishing villages in the world with stratospheric prices. The only way into Positano is by sea or on the Amalfi Drive, a stretch of highway that hugs the cliffs 500 feet above sea level. Another world-famous 5***** hotel is Hotel Le Sirenuse. Even though 5***** hotels are not in our budget, they may be in yours and I enjoy reading about them

- Capri. The Island of Capri was a ferry ride from Amalfi or Positano. If we stayed here, we would have to go back and forth by boat to visit the other sights on this coast limiting the ease of day excursions.

Sorrento, located on the Northern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula is another busy town above the sea filled with hotels, villas and the starting point for other destinations, Pompeii, one of them. We couldn’t come to the Sorrentine Peninsula and miss Pompeii.

This series of articles is primarily about independent travel and the links above will help the planning process but there are many other good options for traveling with a group if that’s your preference. We have used Explore U.K. and Sherpa Expeditions for many trips…both U.K. tour organizers…reasonable in cost…and very reputable. No worries dealing with them!

Decisions, decisions….