Amalfi Coast ? (Honeymoon) Planning Dilema: Your input appreciated please!
 

I?m in the process of finalising plans/booking arrangements for our honeymoon next June in Italy: Flying UK ? Venice for 4 days in Venice (a suite at the Hotel Antico Doge) then picking up a car to drive to the Amalfi Coast (stopping overnight in Spello at Palazzo Bocci ? for which I appreciate earlier recommendations on these boards) where we have booked a villa for two weeks (if you want to see it its at www.italianview.com/amalfi/torresaracena.php). Flying home from Naples. That?s all booked and paid for where appropriate and cast in stone and we?re very excited about the whole thing (not to mention the actual wedding! ? but that?s another whole story and a half!).
Here?s the rub ? whilst I?ve done all the organising and planning to date it has been a joint process to the extent that all the final decisions have been taken together. I would, however, like to introduce one element of surprise into the package. And to that end am considering booking us in, for one night only, into the Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. Of all the Ravello Hotels (Palazzo Sasso etc.) I thought this sounded the most enchanting and romantic ? walking in the gardens in the twilight, looking at the lights of Amalfi down below.
Question ? let?s face it; it won?t be cheap! And whilst we?re not economising particularly (it?s a once in a lifetime honeymoon afterall!) we don?t have money to burn either. In your view do you think this a worth while way to spend a night away from our villa and a suitable surprise for my fiancée.
Thanks for taking the time and wading through this rather long post and, believe you me, all responses will be very gratefully received indeed!

Dr D.

Bloomin' Fodors!!!

Please read (almost) all the ? in the post above as either hyphens or apostrophes.

Lesson to self - edit text after cutting and pasting from Word!

Dr D.

I think it's a nice idea, although i'd consider staying in Positano or another "city" on the coast as well. They're all close (busses run frequently between) and just as beautiful. It may be a bit cheaper. Enjoy and congrats!

I think that sounds very nice! I've heard Palazzo Sasso is a much better hotel than Villa Cimbrone, although I have walked through the gardens at VC and it really is very romantic.

Why not just fly from Venice to Naples?

Hi DDG,

May I suggest you look at this link before deciding?

http://www.hotelparsifal.com/eng/

Somewhere between the Villa Cimbrone and the Parsifal is the Villa Maria:

http://www.villamaria.it/eng/albergo.asp

I notice they only do half board now, but the restaurant really is excellent (but I would make sure that you can order a la carte...). In June, you can sit outside and there is a beautiful view of the sea (no lights of Amalfi, though...)

Thank you all for your replies and the links to alternative accommodation. However it is particularly the gardens at Villa Cimbrone that appeal and specificaly the idea of having them "to ourselves" at the end of the day when the estate closes to daytrippers (that sounds rather selfish doesn't it!).
I suppose what I'm getting at is: are the gardens, is the evening atmosphere, worth (a nebulous concept, I'm aware) the expense of an overnight stay in the Villa? Has anyone stayed at the Villa Cimbrone who can help me justify this?

Btw AWBaker we hate the idea of schlepping through airports (enough of that for work!) and a drive through the northern and central parts of Italy, exploring en route, is very appealing to us both. I've driven extensively in Italy previously so the Italian drivers don't put me off!

Again, many thanks for your replies - any more for any more?

Dr D.

Hi, I looked at your villa website and it looks lovely and is so near to Ravello I don't think you need to book a special room in V. Cimbrone. Why not go up there early in the morning or right at closing?

BUT, if you have your heart set on it, go ahead and book it, the views from there are stupendous and so very romantic.

Do you have to surprise her? Get her input, maybe she would just rather stay in the privacy of your villa all the nights and dance in the moonlight.

Thanks all... so there seems to be no real consensus then!
Maybe it is just one hotel splurge/stay too many; perhaps a better idea would be to take her shopping into one of the designer boutiques in Venice for a surprise of her own choosing. And simply book an evening table at the restaurant at V. Cimbrone.

Has anyone eaten there? I can find no real comments about the quality of food at the Villa (and I am aware that the restaurant isn't open to non-guests until next Easter) - I'm hoping a poster who's stayed can comment.

Dr D.

Hi DD,

Have you checked on www.tripadvisor.com?