bashful

We want to spend one week in Umbria, one week in Sorrento and two weeks on Costa del Sol, flying into Malaga. We only want a car for the first week. Would we be best to fly into Rome, pick up car at airport, return it to airport a week later? Then how would we best get to Sorrento? Fly from Rome? Is there train, bus from Rome airport to Sorrento? Or is there a better option? What is our best transportation mode to get from Sorrento to Malaga? Should we bus it to Naples and fly from there or go back to Rome and fly from there? Questions, questions, but we need to start somewhere!

Melissajoy

Bashful, the best way to get from Rome to Sorrento depends on how much money you want to spend. We flew into Rome, stayed 4 nights, and then a driver with a minivan picked up my family at our Rome hotel, took us on a full-day excursion to see Pompeii and Vesuvius, and then dropped us off at our new hotel in sorrento. This is the most relaxing and enjoyable way to get from Rome to Sorrento...but it might NOT be the cheapest though. If you want to try a driver I recommend Giovanni Benvenuto at www.benvenutolimos.com

You can also take the Eurostar train from Rome to Naples. Get out in Naples and either get a boat to Sorrento or else take the circumvesuviana train from Naples to sorrento. then get a taxi to your hotel. I didn't want to take the circumvesuviana train because my friend who has been to Italy 6 times told me it's kind of dangerous in Naples especially walking to the circumvesuviana train.

You can also fly into Naples. Naples is closer to Sorrento than Rome is. But don't miss 'Rome, our favorite city in Italy! (We saw Rome, Sorrento, positano, praiano, ravello, siena, venice, florence.)

kybourbon

Keep your car until you get to Sorrento and then turn it in. I wouldn't go to the expense and trouble of trains when you can just drive a few hours in a car that you have already rented. You should be able to take the autostrada from Umbria most of the way and it isn't a long drive. Malaga doesn't have very many flight options from Italy.

Weadles

bashful,

Check whichbudget.com to find out which airline, if any, flies between Naples and Malaga. I know that AlpiEagles flies between Naples and Barcelona, so maybe you could connect through to Malaga from Barcelona. You can also check europebyair.com

You can also post for ANDRE and GARDYLOO, two frequent contributors here who seem to know a great deal about inter-European air connections.

GOod luck!

Steve_James

Alitalia flies the Rome-Malaga route.

I don't believe there's a direct flight from Naples, though that may change in high season.
You could connect through Barcelona as Weadles suggests.

An alternative might be to fly via London Stansted with one of the budget airlines, Easyjet or RyanAir. (Time consuming - but could be a budget option if you book well in advance).

Hope this helps ...

Steve

bashful

thanks for info. I guess I have been "afraid" to drive to Sorrento after hearing all the horror stories about the roads, drivers etc. My husband and I have driven all over Europe but for some reason this stretch is a little scary to me. I think I read in someone's post about his wife having vertigo when driving these roads. Can you give me a little more info on the drive from Umbria to Sorrento and what we might expect? Any thoughts on where would we drop the car off in Sorrento?
And how would we best get back to Rome to get a flight to Malaga? thanks again.

Steve_James

On re-checking, Iberia fly Naples-Malaga as from next spring - 31/03/05.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

kybourbon

The driving to Sorrento is on autostrada most of the way. The roads don't really get treacherous until you get past Sorrento going to the rest of the Amalfi coast area. What time of year is your trip?

ira

Hi bashful,

You might find this thread helpful with your Italy questions.

Helpful Information: Italy http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443340

bashful

Thanks everyone. Now my partner is suggesting we do our first two weeks touring Scotland, Wales, Northern England...back to the drawing board!!!
Choice is one week Umbria (we've been to Tuscany twice-Florence,Siena, Chianti, Venice etc. but never to the Umbria region or southern Italy.
We've toured England - London and environs but never Scotland, Wales, etc.
We desperately want to end our two week trip (to somewhere!!!?) with two weeks in Nerja by the sea.
This is the one trip we will have the time to do this...maybe I should extend it to 6 weeks and do the whole doggone thing!