rbnwdln

Although I have not, like Carolyn, been to the Amalfi Coast 5 times, I always recommend Villa Rosa in Positano. It is a town of many steps but lovely and can be relaxing. We have never had any trouble taking day trips to other places along the coast. I have only been there 3 times, so not sure if that meets the requirements for recommendation here.

caroline_edinburgh

I do like Positano too and have my own favourite hotel there, but Positano is a pain to get in and out of and it invariably involves climbing. Amalfi is much easier as the buses stop right in the centre, next to the boat dock. Also Amalfi generally is flatter than Positano. The Santa Caterina is a 10 minute walk up a (not very steep) hill but it runs a shuttle into the centre. The main places to visit like restaurants & the Duomo are either on the level or up not very many steps. Just easier than Positano.

orangetravelcat

I appreciate all the suggestions and advice. I'm still researching. I wish my husband would give me some input but he never really participates in planning; he just goes wherever I tell him we are going. That's good and bad, at the same time.

grosenb

Organecat, I know that planning a vacation can be burdensome if you are making all decisions. But remember no matter where you decide to go,you can't make a bad choice because you will be in ITALY!!!!!

packed

This October will mark our fourth time in the Amalfi coast. Positano is beautiful, but I agree that it has many stairs and is quite steep. I wouldn't recommend it as a place for a person with health issues. Amalfi could be a better choice and has good transportation. Lugano for some reason never had a lot of charm for me, but that is personal opinion, and I hear that the train ride is beautiful. Lugano is flatter though and easier to walk. You could do the train ride and then take a plane from Lugano to another area. Lugano has a small airport which is so easy to navigate. Or, another idea, Lugano is only about an hour more or less from Bellagio or Varenna on Lake Como by cab and ferry, so both might be an option although those towns have steps also. They do have flat areas by the lake and there are hotels there.

packed

In rereading your first message, people watching is fun from the many restaurants along the water in Bellagio. Also nice to do is take one of the public boats anywhere on the lake. We just bought tickets and enjoyed the ride on a nice day.

Aduchamp1

Someone was kind enough to give us one week at a timeshare. We thought we would use that week in Positano and spend another week in Naples to visit Pompeii, Capri, Naples itself and a few other places, since we read that Positano, as beautiful as it msy be, it is difficult to tour from there. We will begoing in November.
Is that correct?
Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Rex in Naples?

Thank you.

caroline_edinburgh

Aduchamp1 - good plan. I don't remember coming across the Hotel Rex in my research for our trip (also a week) to Naples last year but I've just googled to find out where it is. The Santa Lucia area is nice and it's where all the really grand hotels are; but it would not be my choice as it's a bit of a hike from the historic centre & most of the sights.

Here's a link to my trip report covering Naples, in case it's of use - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34830452.

I spent a long time researching the best area to stay in, including buying a large-scale street map - I wanted to be convenient for the historic centre, the opera house & transport links, without of course being in a dangerous area. I was very pleased with my choice, location-wise - just on the edge of the historic centre but the opposite end from the seedier piazza Gariabaldi end, 5-10 minutes walk to the ferry port, just round the corner from a street which most buses stopped on. (We walked most places but needed a bus for a few sights like the catacombs, the Capodimonte museum & the Mwegellina chalets.)

We really liked Naples & will go back.

Aduchamp1

Thank you for the info

orangetravelcat

I'm still trying to decide what to do! Help! Driving myself crazy!

SeaUrchin

orange, print out some photos of the two areas and show them to your husband, say which place would you like to visit, we have to make a choice.

There is a hospital in Sorrento and one in Amalfi.

All of the places you are deciding on are beautiful and wonderful, you realy can't go wrong. If it comes down to it, throw a dart and then stick with where it lands.

Let us know.

LuLu

My husband also has medical issues (heart). Initially, we were going to do a barge cruise in France but I was nervous should there be an incident with him so I booked a cruise from Venice to Rome. We stopped at most of the towns that have been mentioned along the Amalfi Coast. He could get off the ship when he wanted to or not. MOST IMPORTANTLY, there is a hospital and doctor on board. Therefore, I didn't worry about him on the trip and could enjoy myself too. This might be an alternative thought.

orangetravelcat

Hi, Lulu - I am not a big cruise fan but maybe I should at least check into it. Which cruise line/ship did you go on?

mari5

It sounds like being fairly close to a good hospital is important (and I don't blame you, since your husband has had several medical issues) We spent two weeks in Sorrento once and that would be a good base, taking a day trip down and back the Amalfi Coast,etc,.They do have a hospital however "???", and the same with the town of Amalfi! Hmmmmm, not sure.

In your case I would think the larger hospitals would be in Lugano and Bolonga, and they are both LOVELY ,beautiful cities. You mentioned these two cities as one of your choices of itineries.

"I wouldnt' want to be "stuck" down on the Almalfi coast....winding, treterous, slow highway if there was any chance of a medical emergency. I applaud you for taking the trip and I imagine you will fine...but there are plenty of places that you wouldn't have to worry about medical care.
(Someone recently on Fodors said they got very good care in Bologna, and then I KNOW the Swiss hospitals (Lugano) are wonderful. Lugano is close to Menaggio, and Belagio for a day trip .
Sounds like a great trip, whatever you decide.

LuLu

Orangetravelcat,

We went on the Seabourn Spirit. My husband, who sounds like your husband, had me plan the whole trip without input from him. He was reluctant (scared) to go and the fact that there was a doctor on board, made him less reluctant. For someone who didn't want to cruise (it's only for old people), he loved it and now wants to go on a two week cruise. I know cruising isn't as interesting as exploring places on your own but it does have "peace of mind" for both of you.

i_am_kane

Mari5, I have to agree with your suggestions. As I wrote earlier in this thread, my husband had a medical problem back in 2001 when we traveled to Italy.

Sure enough, he had an incident in Florence and at that time neither of us could speak Italian (speaking better Italian now). It was stressful, to say the least trying to explain to a pharmacist what supplies we needed.

He was a good sport about continuing on with our trip to Venice, but we ended up on the Lido for two afternoons so that he could relax.

JRP

Though my experience is limited to a single visit, I would also recommend Luna Convento in Amalfi.

It is convenient, comfortable and scenic. You can also point it out to your friends in nearly every representative photo of The Amalfi Coast that you might ever see.

Bragging rights- pardon my indulgence.

orangetravelcat

I'm still trying to decide between Amalfi or Sorrento, and Lugano. I'm trying to find out info about hospitals in the Amalfi or Sorrento area. Anyway, will keep you posted, and thanks for your suggestions and advice.

SeaUrchin

I have stayed in an apartment in Amalfi, there is a small medical facility. In Sorrento there is a complete hospital right in town. It would be better if you stayed in Sorrento in your case.

I am not sure about medical facilities in Lugano but I know local people who have had medical operations in the hospital in Sorrento.

mari5

IF you were to google "Medical facilities", Lugano, Switzerland you would find several hospitals listed. One article I read starts out "Switzerland has some of the best medical care in the world".
We have had experience twice while traveling (once 30 yrs ago with a child) in Switz. and it was excellent.
Lugano is a lovely city also, and lots of side trips....but it IS a CITY!
However the Swiss people speak English well, even the Italian/Swiss I imagine.

I hinted in my previous post in regard to Sorrento. We usually travel independently with a rental car,and lived overseas 5 years etc...but the two times we were with a group were EXCELLENT Elderhostels. (one in Siena, and one in Sorrento for 2 weeks each.) In Sorrento a member of our group was hospitalized with stomach trouble but had other issues also. He did OK, but I'm not too sure if they were really "up" on things in that hospital.
Also my friend here in TX had a sister from Boston who was traveling in ITaly with her grandson last year ,and she died in the Sorrento hospital. She had bad lung problems, and had for some time, and in no way did the family blame the hospital.
Apparently , as someone above said, the medical facility in the town of Almalfi is a small clinic.The Almalfi Coast, as nice as it is,is fairly isolated,and there's an awfully curvy, scary,(but beautiful) steep drive to "get out of the coast".
As you mentioned Bologna, I would think that a little research on the internet would also bring up some information.
Sorrento would probably be fine. Have you thought of an Elderhostel.??? The one is Sorrento is outstanding, and led by a wonderful stylish,bright New ZEalnd lady who has lived in Sorrento many years and you would be well taken care of!!! Many side trips...day to Almalfi Coast, Capri, Pompeii, etc etc. You stay put and can relax as you want...attend some lectures if you want (or not).
Oops, you need to be over age 50? (or 55, I forget)