Hi, <BR> <BR>My family and I had a wonderful vacation in Italy. We started on the Amalfi coast, then to Rome, up through Tuscnay and Umbria and ended on the coast near the Cinqua Terre. We had some reservations, but found wonderful places to stay and drove all along the back roads, after Rome. I want to recommend the Hotel Tramonto D'Oro in Priano on the Amalfi coast. This little town is between Positano and Amalfi. It is very small and on the Amalfi road. There is not a lot goning on in this town and therefore, we loved the quiet. The hotel was wonderful. It is on the cliffs above the sea. The view is fabulous. It looks towards Positano. The dinning room and most of the bedrooms have this wonderful view. There is a big roof top pool, that was so refreshing after a day of sight seeing. Most important the family who owns the hotel is wonderful. The were so accomodating and friendly. It is an upscale three star that was about $900 a double per week, with breakfast and dinner. You do not have to eat dinner there. I will be happy to tell more about our travels if anyone is interested. <BR> <BR>Sue

Please tell us more...

Sue, thanks for the information. I am taking a trip to Italy,and I will driving down to the Amalfi coast. I wonder if you can tell me where you would reccommend to stay in Tuscany. Also how long was the drive from the Amafi Coast up to Tuscany? Did you get a chanc

would love to hear more as we are going over to italy soon and any info on where to stay would be a great help.

Hi, <BR> <BR>Here is a little review of my trip, which was fabulous. About 18 of us went to the Amalfi for a week. Every day we went sightseeing. Amalfi, Positano, Capri, Pompii, Sorrento, Ravello, and Naples.

Sorry, I hit the wrong button. Continuing........On the Amalfi coast we used public transportation. My husband did rent a motor cycle and took our daughter up into the tiny towns above Priano. We took the train to Rome and spent four days there. In Rome we walked everywhere and my daughter and husband, even walked to the top of St. Peter's, which affords a magnificant view of Rome. At this time the group reduced to 10 and then everyone but three of us were left. At this point we rented a car and drove into Tuscany and Umbria. We took back roads and the landscape was beautiful. There were acres of sunflowers, grapes, and olive trees. We went to Sutri,Civita Bagnoregio, slept over night in Orvieto. The next day we drove to Sano, Pitigliano, and stayed over night in Todi(found a B&B with a room with a VIEW. Then off to Duerta, Assiss, and overnight in Perguria. The next two nights we stayed in Chianti at a wonderful farm house with a dilightful pool and a room with a VIEW. We went to Sienna and small wine towns. Then off to Lucca. We spent two days here and drove to Florence for one day. We had been to Florence before and seen most of the art, and we love Lucca.We were there for a medieval festival and a rock concert all in one night. We rented bikes in Lucca and rode around the town. After this we ended up in Levanto for 4 days. We have friends there and enjoyed spending time with them. From Levanto we did go to Portofino, walked the Cinque Terre, and went to Portovenere. If anyone wants more info, please reply. Excuse my spelling, it is a true weakness. <BR> <BR>Sue

Sue, <BR> <BR>Thanks for your post. Could you tell me where in particular you stayed in Tuscany. Any places you'd recommend? <BR> <BR>Basically, my fiance and I are going to be in the area for four days. We haven't been to Italy before, so we're trying to decide how long to spend in Florence vs. driving around Tuscany. Right now we're considering Florence for two days and then two staying somewhere near Siena and renting a car to drive around.

Hi Mark, <BR> <BR>For me two days in Florence is enough. there are a lot of tourist there, but it is soooo beautiful. In Tuscany we stayed in Lucca, which is a wonderful walled in city with a lot of music. It is the birth place of Pucini. There is a sweet hotel there called Hotel Picolo (sp) Pucini. We also stayed in a farm house(vinyard) in Chianti. The farm house is "Cavarchione Toscanum". It is about $100 a night for a double with breakfast. The views were spectacular and there is a pool. There are wonderful vinyards to visit and you can easily drive to Siena. If you go in the fall they are harvesting the grapes and making the wine. I am not sure if there is a web site for the farm house in Chianti, but the phone is 0 52 31/8 86 16. You will love driving around the back roads of Tuscany. Congratulations!!!!!!!! <BR>Sue

Hi Sue. <BR> <BR>Thanks for your posts. They are very informative. My husband and I are going to Rome and <BR>then the Amalfi Coast next May. We will be in Rome for a week and then on the Amalfi Coast <BR>for about a week. (We don't like to move around a lot and like to thoroughly explore the areas <BR>we stay.) Anyway, the place you stayed on the Amalfi Coast sounds great and we will definitely <BR>consider it. But, leaving that particular hotel aside, I have been trying to decide which town we <BR>should stay in. The considerations have been Positano, Sorrento or Ravello. We want to stay <BR>someplace beautiful, laid back, and conveniently located so we can explore the area. Also, there <BR>should be plenty of good restaurants because eating is one of our favorite things to do in Italy. <BR>Less tourists would be good too, but I realize sometimes this means less restaurants and we don't <BR>want that. Any advice you can give would be great! <BR> <BR>Daria

One more question Sue. How was the train from Amalfi to Rome? We are considering doing that (in reverse)or driving. Thanks. <BR> <BR>Daria

Sue <BR>How was Civita Bagnoregio? We were thinking about making a short stop there on our way through Umbria in September. It looked pretty interesting on Rick Steve's show but I had heard that it was not the same since receiving so much publicity and traffic. How did you like it?

Hi Sue, <BR>I am planning a trip to Rome, Tuscany, up through Cinque Terre to Milan for this September. I am having difficulty w/ accommodations in the Cinque Terre area. Any ideas?

I was wondering what your opinion would be on whether I should spend 3 days in Positano or in Sorrento. What is your opinion on those 2 places, if you hae one. Thank you. <BR> <BR>

I have never been to Italy but it is high on my list of want to go places. My question for anyone who has been there is how much of a language barrier is there for English speakers in Italy. I have heard you only need to know the basics in various countries but when I actually visited them I found communication difficult. How much of the language did you know and was it enough. Also what if any specific language instruction books, or programs would you recommend. I enjoy studying the language as part of my trip preparation but don't really have time to become fluent usually. Thanks in advance to any and all replys.

Rather than walk around with a phrase book that looks ridiculous and is a waste of time, I learned four words; Hello (early and late), goodbye, thank you and your welcome. <BR>The people are very friendly. Just be courteous and friendly and they will be too.

Well, you'll want the phrase book so you don't have unpleasant surprises ordering food. But the courtesy phrases are widely appreciated and people are so nice you'll find ways to understand each other. Priano looked to us like a terrific place to stay on the Amalfi coast, and we would probably base ourselves there if/when we go back. Believe it or not, it is easier to drive the road (after you've done it once in the daytime) at night! (No tour bus traffic!)

Sue, <BR>Just how quiet is Praiano? Is there a handful of restaurants?Some kind of local scene at night? I don't need a lot , but I don't like being held hostage at the hotel. Right now, I am vacilating between Positanto and Praiano. tYOur hotel tip in Praiano is appreciated. <BR>I will email the Tramonto, did you happen to see the Onda Verde? any comments? I've read pro and con. <BR> <BR>Thanks, <BR>Michele

Sue, thanks for the great report, it makes me wish Italy was on our next itinerary. But it's very nice of you to take the time to write. Where to next???