Travel Note
Please excuse our plagiarism, lots of the following text is copied from online articles. Note that this ETIAS System is not yet up and running. It is expected to be online by early 2024. Please also do your research to ensure you have the latest travel information. Any national of the visa-exempt countries to the EU who is looking to travel to an EU country for short-term stay must apply for European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) authorization. These visa-exempt countries include the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Mexico. There will be a fee of 7 euros, or roughly $8, attached to the online application for ETIAS authorization. This authorization is valid for three years or earlier, if the travel document used to fill out the application expires before the authorization does. You will be asked to provide personal information, including your name, date of birth, nationality, address, parents’ names, email address and phone number. You will also be asked to share your current occupation and level of education, as well as details about your intended travel and stays in E.U. countries. You must also include details of the document you will be using to travel, such as a passport. Once the system is up and running, ETIAS applicants will receive an email confirming their application has been submitted. This email will have an application number that is important to keep for future reference. Once an application has been processed, travelers will receive a second email with the authorization decision. Travelers must be in possession of their ETIAS authorization throughout their entire stay in the E.U. Although the authorization is necessary to enter the E.U., it does not guarantee entry at border control. Travelers must still meet established E.U. entry requirements, which include having a passport or other travel document that is valid for the duration of their stay and at least three months afterward.
Flight
The majority of our family and friends live along the Eastern Coast of the United States. Therefore, this is mostly written for those traveling from that region. If you're not on the East Coast, you will probably need to stop there along the way. There are several options for getting to the Amalfi Coast from the Eastern Coast of the United States. The closest major airport to the Amalfi Coast is the Naples International Airport. Therefore, the most DIRECT route would be to fly from the US to Naples. Although this is the most convenient, it might not always be the most cost-efficient. Entering Italy via Rome or Milan could be a good second options if you're willing to make one or more stops. Think of major US cities on the Eastern United States. New York City (JFK, Laguardia, Newark), Boston, Washington DC, Chicago, etc. Most of these cities will have flights to Italy in some fashion. Starting in the major US city closest to you, look for flights to Italian cities like Rome or Milan. If you're willing to make several stops, look for flights from a major US city to major European cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, or Barcelona. There are several lowcost European airlines like easyJet or Ryanair that could get you from major European cities into Italy. Consider making it into Italy (or even somewhere else in Europe) first, then utilize the fantastic trains to get you to closer to the coast. If you're not flying directly to Naples, see Phase 2.
Train
Now that you're in Italy, you may not be near Ravello yet. The closest major city to Ravello is Naples. If you're coming from Venice, Milan, Florence, Rome, or another city in Italy, the odds are that there is a train station near you. We have used Trenitalia to book bullet-train tickets the past two years we've visited. The Trenitalia website can be a bit difficult to translate (even when it's in English mode), but you will be able to download tickets directly to your phone. You could also try comparing prices from the second bullet-train company, Italo. The trains are relatively well-priced and sometimes offer Me-and-You tickets at a discount for couples. Once you get to the train station, you can choose to stay in the non-movement area outside the gates leading to the platform, or you can scan your tickets and enter the movement area where the trains enter the station and passengers board/deboard. There will likely be digital displays throughout the terminal showing arriving/departing train numbers, their arriving/departing times, and the line they are on. If things get confusing, there are *usually* customer service attendants near the gates leading to the platform who *usually* speak English. We've had great experiences while taking the trains. One thing you must consider, though, is where you will put your bags during the ride. There are usually overhead bins as you walk down the isle of the car. However oversized luggage will not fit overhead. Some cars have dedicated baggage racks on the floor near the entrance, but they weren't in all the cars we traveled in. You will be allowed to keep your oversized bags in the enclosed area between the cars, but you'll have to leave them there during the ride. Our pro-tip is to choose a seat near the entry, so you can still have eyes on your oversized bags. Once you make it to Naples, it's time for Phase 3.
Travel Note
Now you're in Naples. Almost there! Our wedding planner works for a company called Wagner Tours. On your behalf, he can arrange private hotel transfers from the Naples airport or train station for one passenger to up to 24. They do not have transfer rates for 2024 yet, but expect a one way car for up to 3 passengers to be somewhere near 160 euros, or a van for 4-7 passengers to be near 220 euros. See the link attached to this note for booking a private transfer through Wagner Tours. We have used the Positano Shuttle service for the past two years when visiting the Amalfi Coast. Positano Shuttle can also pick you up from the Naples airport or train station and take you to the closest drop-off location at your stay. They have a customer service email which is typically very responsive, and the prices are similar to Wagner Tours. They only private car option for a transfer from Naples to Ravello. For 4 to 8 passengers, the one-way cost is 200 euros. If you decide to stay in a nearby town like Amalfi, Praiano, or Positano, you can book a semi-private shuttle and be matched with other travelers who are ready to be picked up around the same time as you for a lower rate. There are other shuttle companies like Daytrip which provide similar services. Another even more cost-efficient option would be to take a train from Naples to Sorrento, then take a bus or water shuttle to Amalfi. Tickets for a bus or water shuttle can be bought on the spot or online once the summer 2024 schedule is published. Regardless of when or where you purchase your tickets, check online for the 2024 Amalfi Coast bus and water shuttle schedules prior to traveling. Amalfi is the most prominent city nearest Ravello. Ravello is about a 20 minute drive from Amalfi. So if you need to be dropped off in Amalfi, you can find several taxis right next to the bus stops to take you from the Amalfi port to the Ravello central square for around 50 euros.
Travel Note
This is where the wedding ceremony will be! Note: You cannot stay here overnight. See the Events section for more details on the Wedding Day.
Travel Note
Hotel Villa Maria is a beautiful, intimate villa within a short walking distance from the wedding venue, Villa Eva. Hotel Villa Maria shares similar ownership with Villa Eva, so the staff will be helpful in accommodating wedding guests and answering any questions they may have. In addition to its scenic rooms, it offers an amazing outdoor bar/restaurant with amazing views of Ravello and the coastline. Click “View” to be redirected to Villa Maria’s website. Hotel Giordano is a slightly bigger hotel, hosting more rooms than Hotel Villa Maria. It is a 6-minute walk from the wedding venue, Villa Eva. Hotel Giordano shares similar ownership with Villa Eva, so the staff will be helpful in accommodating wedding guests and answering any questions they may have. It is located near the central Duomo square in Ravello, and it has a beautiful outdoor pool. Unfortunately, these hotels are not offering block discounts for the wedding guests. These hotels are in close proximity to the events of the weekend, but pay close attention to their rates as they can become high. See their websites for more details.
Travel Note
Click “View” to be redirected to our wedding planner’s (Wagner Tours) website. They have several unique housing options which you may not find elsewhere. Additionally, Ravello hosts many Airbnb, Vrbo, and local B&B villas available to rent during this time. Search engines like Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia.com will allow you to see many options and compare prices after inputting your desired travel days. Some options in Ravello we’ve found are: - Casa Dolce Casa (one of our favorites) - La Moresca (also one of our favorites) - Garden Hotel - Hotel Bonadies - Villa Piedimonte Nearby towns in order of distance from Ravello: - Atrani - Amalfi - Minori - Conca dei Marini - Praiano - Positano Be sure to book your stay as early as possible!