stephanie

Hey all, <BR> <BR>Can someone give me some good advice on planning my honeymoon. <BR> <BR>I hear Ischia is more beautiful than Amalfi especially when travelling in August. But I also want to do Pompeii and maybe go to Sicily. Where should I stay?? <BR> <BR>And is it possible to stay in Rome and then take day trips to the other places?? <BR> <BR>Thanks a lot

rob

Nope, Rome is too far to manage a day trip to Ischia, Amalfi, or Capri. <BR> <BR>Sicily is REALLY far - an overnight train or a flight from Rome. <BR> <BR>Sorrento makes a great base for exploring the area - one hour or less to Ischia, Capri, Pompei, and Positano. And less than 2 hours to Amalfi via the Amalfi Coast road, which is called the most beautiful stretch of coastline in Italy if not the entire Med. <BR> <BR>Do you have to go in August? The Italians take their vacations then, and you may not be able to find anything in these resort areas. <BR> <BR>I was there the third week of September last year. Not crowded and the weather was great - sunny and never too hot.

Thyra

My husband and I stayed on Ischia last March and really enjoyed it! Very romantic and lovely and not very crowded (in March anyway). The day we left we took the ferry back to Napoli then took a train ride to Pompeii spent half the day there, then took a train back to Napoli in the late afternoon. We could have spent 4 years in Pompeii, but it was all very "do-able" and we did not feel rushed. Except when all the ATM's in Napoli seemed to be broken. We really enjoyed ourselves on Ischia, we rented scooters, went to thermal baths, swimming, drank wine and generally lived it up. I would recommed it. Have a wonderful time.

rob k

Stephanie: <BR> <BR>As a prior poster suggested, September is a better time to travel to any of those destinations --- however, since you're planning a honeymoon, then I assume that you've already committed to an August wedding and would like to go on your honeymoon immediately or shortly thereafter. <BR> <BR>Do be aware that Amalfi coastline may be more crowded during August. And if you do wish to spend a few days in Rome, August is not the best time (it's hot --- many Romans go on vacation during that time, leaving the city to the tourists). <BR>Enough of the negatives - a good time can always be had with careful planning and realistic expectations. <BR> <BR>Both the Amalfi coastline and Ischia are beautiful places; you can't go wrong with either. If you're planning a 10 day to 2 week stay, you could easily spend some time in both places. When I went to Ischia last year (April '99), I was staying with friends --- but had a sense that it's a tad less inundated with tourists than the Amalfi area. Seemed to be more Europeans, especially Germans that were on Ischia. Many hotels had signs out front "deutsche sprechen". <BR> <BR>I've not been to Sicily, but have been told it's also very beautiful.

lola

The Amalfi coast is more beautiful than Ischia. I have stayed in both areas and no comparison. That said, Capri and the little island of Procida--near Ischia are exceptionally beautiful. I you have 2 weeks you have time for all. Sicily might be best for another time. <BR><BR>Agree with the others--base in Sorrento.

stefano

Hi, I'm of Milan (Italy) (sorry for my bad english!) , I have visited both and they are both very beautiful. I think that if you have 10 days you can visit both (you must reserve the hotels). <BR>August is the worst period to visit Italy because the cities are leaved to the tourists and the costs are full of italians on holydays but I think you love it anyway! <BR>With a more long vacation you can visit Rome too. Sicily need a 10 days more because is a big region with lots to see! <BR>Ciao! <BR>Stefano <BR>