Not sure that Bari is worth 3 nights unless you have a burning need to go there. Apart from that, it's way across from Sorrento and around 4 hours by road. That's a further 5 hours back to Rome too so one full day would be lost in travelling.

I'd stay with Sorrento alone which is around 3 to 4 hours from Rome. At this time of the year, many hotels may be closed altogether or will certainly welcome you with open arms if they are trading. If you leave Rome after breakfast, you should be in Sorrento by lunchtime and will find a suitable hotel fairly quickly. Don't be afraid to give them the "sob" story of cancelled flighjts, unexpecetd expense, can you accomodate us for €xxx including breakfast (depends on your budget). I'd just go for it and see what I could find when you get there.

I will be in Puglia from wed 31 to sunday 4 november. If you want to join us (we are a group of 10), you are welcome. We are travelling through Puglia and Matera.

Olivella: aaaaaaaw, that's so sweet, thank you for the offer. We may take you up on it. Let me talk it over.
I'll post back to this thread.
Rubicund: yes, you're so right about Bari.. Also - seems like positano pretty much shut down this week til march, and now I'm convinced Bari is not worth the 3 day stay. It seems to be a small industrial town with not much to do. Considering our situation, I think the best course of action is to head to Sorrento and just stay there. Drive back into Rome Saturday and hopefully fly out on sat and finally get home. Other option is that crash Olivella's party in Puglia
Any recommendations where to stay in Sorrento? Either a specific hotel or neighborhood. Sorry to be a pain, we're scrambling.....thanks again.

There are lots of hotels overlooking the sea in Sorrento with a board outside indicating a star rating. This usually is reflective of facilities in Italy rather than anything else. As you drive into the town from the autostrada, they will all be on your right, so just try a few and see what you can bargain for.

Antiche Mura in Sorrento

As I told you on your other thread, the Hotel Mediterraneo in Sant'Agnello, which you will come to just before Sorrento. It is a separate village but really just blends into Sorrento.
They have free parking and it is an easy 20 minute walk into Sorrento or the hotel runs a shuttle.

Breakfast is included and free wi-fi, the pool was still open last week when we were there.There are some nice restaurants in the neighbourhood that won't break the bank, the hotel has a lovely top floor restaurant with views to die for (where breakfast is served) but the food is pretty average.
Didn't see a fitness centre but walking into Sorrento and back will do the trick.

We really loved this hotel and would go back in a heartbeat. I can't remember what we paid because we paid in advance to get a better rate but it is not super expensive and the hotel was not full last week.

The other thing I suggested on the other thread is the Agriturismo Villa Maria in Minori, which is the little town next to Amalfi. It is very reasonable, for the two of us with breakfast and a four course dinner it came to $165.00 (CAnadian) per night. The dinners were amazing and all food they grow or make themselves. It is very clean, again views to die for, the family that run it are lovely. THey told me they don't close for the season.
You do have quite a hike to get up and down from it but they bring up the luggage. Free parking on the road below, never a problem. Again, solves the problem of the fitness centre!

Good luck and enjoy.

Il Nido, in the hills above Sorrento about 10 minutes from town (free shuttle). Wifi,parking,laundry,great views, etc.

http://www.ilnido.it/

In the same area, but free wifi in lobby only.
http://www.lavuedor.com/

I think there is more to see in the Naples/Sorrento area. You can see the acheo museum as well as Pompeii and the smaller towns down the coast. Free parking is rare - I would settle for a hotel with any parking. Also be aware that a lot of hotels and restaurants will be closed for the season and many of the ferries have also stopped.

Sorry not to have specific recos - we have been a couple of times and loved out hotel - but I think even with off-season deals would not fit your budget.

At this time of year I would head to Tuscany or, preferably, Umbria. Those regions thrive in the fall whereas those more tuned into summer tourism become rather bleak...I lived near Bari for two years so I can personally attest to that.

If you do choose to go to Puglia, Lecce would be your best place to stay. Bari is too scruffy.

As stated above, Sorrento has much more to offer than Bari/Puglia this time of year.

What about Castel del Monte and the splendid church in Trani ? and Alberobello ? and Matera ? and Polignano a Mare ? and Locorotondo ? and Laterza ? I dont think Sorrento has much more to offer than Puglia and Matera ... sorry

Olivella, I agree. But Nika has only a few days. Puglia and Basilicata require much more time than that given the distance between all the places you mentioned above.

I love Puglia, I lived there for almost two years. But given limited time, and the time of the year, I still recommend Sorrento because the major sites are handy and do not require the added expense of renting a car.

Hi everyone!!! Thanks so much for all your advice, it really helped us in a pinch. We looked at some options, based on the hotels mentioned in this thread and on trip advisor. We took a chance and just stopped in at hotel belair and they gave us a good deal (rubicund: Seems the "sob" story approach worked So we took it and we've made sorrento our base. Took a ride to Pompeii yesterday and would definitely like to hit up Capri, and see Amalfi coast, weather provided. It's absolutely pouring today!!
We have 2 more days and will make the best of it, see as much as we can. Now I'm reading through threads for places to eat in sorrento. It seems many of the recommended spots are great, but quite pricy, so I'm still looking for bargain spots - good food without breaking the bank, since this extended stay already out us over the budget. We welcome Any recommendations but I won't want to be a pest.

BTW, just as an FYI:
hotel Belair has free wifi (in the room), great views from virtually any room (they even upgraded us to a room with a huge terrace), free parking & breakfast included (they have prosecco/mimosas at breakfast, and will make eggs any style at no additional cost), as well as a small/simple fitness center. Belair is rated as a 4 star hotel, and got great reviews on trip advisor. They are pretty full this week, even though it's off season, so I guess thats a good sign too. In case anyone is looking for a place to stay in sorrento.

Thanks again you guys!!
Olivella: enjoy your trip in puglia/matera!!

Nika