Amalfi Travel Forum

My wife and I have doing a long-planned trip to Italy, including a week in the Amalfi area in June. Unfortunately, she has recently suffered a bad ankle fracture and significant ligament damage. She will only be out of a cast 4 weeks, and prognosis is for a long rehab.

Originally, our plans had been to do some town-to-town trekking, but that's now out. Currently, we have a B&B in Positano, seemingly about "midway" up the hill, but I'm concerned just how difficult it will be to get around Positano, or any other Amalfi town. The tour books all emphasize the hills and steps of Amalfi.

Has anyone had experience as a less than fully abled (but fit) person in Amalfi.

Thanks
John

John, it could be tough. Positano is a straight up and down town where you must walk everywhere. Maybe you want to reconsider and book in Sorrento. It's still got hills but it has better options for getting around and a lot more flat. You can still get a lovely room with an excellent view.

Well, it wouldnpt really be easy for your unlucky wife. Not only Positano, but almost all the villages dotted alonf the Amalfi coast have steep roads and stairways.
I don't know where exactly is your B&B in Positano, but I know that the road that leads form the main road (up) to the town centre (down to the sea) is steep.
Good luck
gmg

positano - if you are staying south of the main road or on it, the main road down to the center on the east side is much less steep than on the west, with only a few short staircases. Above the main road, steep.

Amalfi - the area near the harbor and in the main north south axis is relatively flat. The steps up to the cathedral are steep.

Ravello - one staircase (metal,one level) from the carpark to the main square. Everything pretty much you want to see is pretty much flat from there, straight ahead and to your right.

I agree with the others that the climb is way steep. My sister-in-law [who is fit] had trouble with it. I agree that Sorrento would be a good place to stay. We were in a lovely B&B there. I am so sorry that this has happened to your wife because this area is very special. I sure hope that all goes well for you.

Dee

I was in Positano last year with a plantar fasciitis (heel spur) and boy did I suffer! I somehow struggled towards the top of the hill (though not all the way) but my enjoyment was severely hampered by my injury. You couldn't reschedule and go at a later date maybe? I know these things are easier said than done. All the best anyway, who knows she might make a better recovery than you are expecting.

Your best plan would be to rebook into accommodation in Sorrento, if at all possible. Positano, as you will have gathered, is on a steep hill. If you are in Sorrento you can easilyh take the bus along the coast to Amalfi - the day out is the trip itself, along the coast. It takes about 1 hour 40 minutes and you can arrive for lunch, have a wee walk around and then return. Amalfi is much flatter than Positano, although the steps up to the Duomo are steep. However, the general tourist area is flatter (much)and you don't have to go off the mian street - very interesting but lots of steps. Sorrento is mostly flat, although if you go down to the harbour areas then it is steep but there is a bus. You can also take the Circumvesuviana train to various places e.g. Herculaneum, Pompeii (although with an iffy ankle, take care) and Villa Oplontis.

I agre with the above posts. It really will greatly limit/spoil your wife's (and your) enjoyment of the area if you stay in Positano.

I think you should cut your losses and re-book somewhere in Sorrento. I stayed at the Hotel Sofia, which is near the Circumvesuviana railway (for Pompeii, Herculaneum etc), the bus station (you can get the bus which travels the Amalfi coast road from there) and by the shuttle bus to the port area (for Capri and other ferries). Fantastic breaksfast there (pancakes even!). Central Sorrento is flat, with plenty to explore/places to eat etc so a much better option for someone whose mobility will be limited.

Have a look at www.venere.com for alternative accommodation options; it's a reliable site used by many VT-ers and has honest guest reviews.

Before you are too disappointed, I actually prefer staying in Sorrento. It is the best location for accessing all the places you'll want to see on the Amalfi Coast. Take the SITA bus to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Take a boat ride to Capri. And take the train to Pompeii. You'll find lots of places to stop for a gelato, a cafe or a glass of vino (or limoncello) and the scenery and people watching opportunities are fantastic.

Thanks for all your replies - not the answers I wanted, but I'm grateful to have them. We can't reschedule, because the following week weve reserved a villa in Tuscany with 8 friends.

John