Advice needed - Sorrento,Capri & Amalfi Coast
 

hi there, my partner and I are planning to backpackaround Italy next year. There are so many places we want to see but we realise Italy is expensive and the New Zealand dollar doesn't fare so well. We don't want to miss Capri and the Amalfi Coast region but it does seem expensive. Does anyone have any cheap accommodation hints for this area - we are fine to camp if thats cheapest. Also what are the main things for us to do in Sorrento, Capri, Positano and Amalfi? Finally how long do we need in this area to get a good look around? Thanks for your help

Try this web site.<BR><BR>http://www.eurocheapo.com/default.asp

In Positano I stayed at a hotel called Villa Rosa. It was cheap but very clean and we had a small roon with a private rose garden. Breakfast in our room was included.

You can take the boat over to Capri and don't have to stay there. Local bus can take you to different parts of the island and it is very expensive. A lot of uphill walking. Beautiful view. Just take it easy. We stayed at Hotel Europa. Expensive but very close to the train station. But from the train station you can take local bus to the rest of the Amalfi coast. Inexpensive too. The bus driver are very experience with the narrow winding, cliff hanging route. They are mostly small towns with beautiful beaches. They all have a town square and a cathedral. I think a day or two will do unless you have time and really want to relax.

Hi Clare,<BR>as an Australian, I know all about dreadful exchange rates! We had 5 weeks in Italy this year and it didn't cost us as much as we had budgeted for. Meals don't have to cost a fortune and there are heaps of cheaper places to stay. We travelled by train, 2nd class, which was good. Also, if you stand at the bar to have coffee (like all the Italians) it is heaps cheaper than sitting at a table.<BR><BR>In Sorrento we stayed at Palazzo Starace which is in the main street, about 10 min walk from the train/bus station. Central, clean, breakfast included, budget priced. It is 'rooms' in an apartment building, not a hotel. They have a website, try a search on www.google.com<BR><BR>There is also a campground in Sorrento, we walked past it but I can't remember the name. Buses from Sorrento to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello are cheap. We had 6 nights in Sorrento but had been there before. Pompeii is interesting and is a short train ride from Sorrento. <BR>Kay

Clare, If backpacking is your thing, you guys should look up Cinque Terre near Pisa. Cheaper than Amalfi. A group of five villages with hiking trails in between. Remember to pack your goggles and auqa shoes to enjoy the beach! Good luck!

The cheapest place to stay in Positano is the youth hostel. I went for a couple of days earlier this year - and ended up staying a week. I would stay there again!