Hello:

My son and his girlfriend just graduated from College and are planning a trip to Italy. I'm looking for some advice from all you travel experts.

From Rome they will head to Naples and then go to Capri. Here are my questions:

* As recent grad's funds are tight. Any recommendations for hotels in Capri? I've read about Anacapri and Capri Town. What's the best location to stay in order to have easy access to shops/food and exploring?

They want to spend time at the beach. can they do this on Capri or should they go to Positano for a few days? If so, would they that a Hyrdafoil? I've heard it's difficult and expensive to get to town once you get off the boat. Any advice?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Best regards

Capri is such a small island, that they can stay anywhere. We went to the "beach" there. The beach is not sand, but more like river rock. We still enjoyed it. We took a hydofoil from Naples to spend 3 days on Capri, a definate hightlight of the trip

Hi peanut,

I thought that they were going to Paris.

Hi Ira:

Thanks so much for the response. They are going both places. I thought it might be too much to put into a message. I'm trying to figure out the itinerary for them. It's our gift + my son isn't much of a planner. They want to see Paris and Rome and then spend some time on the Beach in Italy. I was thinking about Capri, Positano and/or Santa Margherita.

Hi Peanut,

It would be better to do the whole trip in one post.

For example, do they know how they are getting from Paris to Italy?

See www.whichbudget.com.

If your son and his girlfriend are going to Capri after next week, be aware that the Chicago Tribune ran a story today about the drastic reducion in ferry service between Capri and Naples/Amalfi Coast. The hotels and restaurants on Capri protested the reduction by closing down. Normal service was extended until this coming weekend but no one knows what will happen after that.

Likely find more hotel choices in Sorrento than in Capri which is fairly expensive...

Are they going by train or plane to Italy?

We are going to Paris/Nice/ Santa Margherita this summer... may want to stick to Santa Margherita for convience sake...I have done some decent research into hotels in Santa Margherita.. if you opt for that route let me know and I'll send you what I found...

Kathryncee and Grinisa: Thank you for your responses. Kathryn, I would love to know what you've found in terms of hotels, etc. for Santa Margherita and Grinisa, I hadn't heard about the ferry reduction. They are not going until September but I will definitely look into that.

Katherine. They will be leaving Rome and heading to Santa Margherita. I was thinking they would fly. I haven't checked into the cost yet and don't know how long the train ride from Rome to Genoa would be. Once they get to Genoa I guess that take a local train that gets them into Santa Margherita. If you have any other tips or info, that would be great. Many thanks!

A few years back (too long!) we were in Positano for a few days, and went over to Capri for a day trip by hydrofoil. While we were there, we walked down to the beach in Anacapri -- it's small, mostly rocks and gritty sand, and crowded. We enjoyed it, and seeing Capri, but the beach was not why we went there.

We preferred the beach in Positano, which is small smooth stones (don't stick to you like sand does.) Part of the beach there is public (with fishing boats), and part is roped off in the Euro tradition, with chairs and umbrellas you can rent for the day. There is also a restaurant on that part of the beach where we had a great insalata caprese and a bottle of wine for lunch. It was a real "pinch me I must be dreaming" moment! Chair rental and lunch not cheap, but very nice! The water was lovely for swimming (early September).

We also walked the path around the point (on the right as you face the sea) to another quieter beach, with a cafe for lunch. Great spot!

If your son and gf just want beach time and will also be in Paris, the Ligurian coast would be much nearer and more affordable than Positano. Could train from Paris to Liguria, have a beach break, then continue on to Rome. (May depend whose nickel they are traveling on!) ;-)

Hello SBTravlr:

More good info. Thank You. The feedback I'm getting is really helping me focus in, although, I'm a bit perplexed right now. A few questions for you. You mentioned the beaches in Liguria. Any specific recommendations, i.e., towns, etc. Also, it sounds like the beaches on Positano may be nicer. I'm still checking into the ferry/hydrafoil situation from Naples. I know you can catch a ferry from Naples but still not sure of the best way to reach town once you get off the boat. I've heard a taxi is extremely expensive. Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!

Hi p-nut
Don't have any recent experience, but at the end of that Positano trip we made a nostalgic visit to Varigotti, on the Ligurian coast between Finale and Savona. It's where my family vacationed eons ago in my teen years ;-), and it was still nice -- lovely sandy beach, and not crowded when we were there (September). I googled and found this site: http://outside.away.com/outside/dest..._finale_1.html
and this one: http://en.venere.com/hotels_finale_l..._albatros.html. The photos will give you some idea what it's like. Finale is a bigger town, but more touristy. Sounds as if they are promoting the area for biking etc, which might be good for your son and gf.

I've also seen recommendations for Sestri Levante -- no experience there. Cinque Terre is also in Liguria, but no sandy beaches there -- it's rocky, so you sunbathe on flat (hot) rocks. Nice, but a different thing altogether from US beaches.

If you search here on Liguria AND beach, you'll find several posts, and conflicting opinions! Good luck with the quest.

Actually there are a couple of nice beaches in Cinque Terre. The one in Monterosso is the largest, sandy, as I recall, and there is a small sandy harbor in Vernazza which is also available for swimming. Vernazsa is prettier, though smaller.

There are some coves near Positano but within easy walking distance where they may be the only people there. They should ask around when they get there.

Some friends of ours told us about the "red fish" boat that you can catch in Positano (its comes at like 10, 11, and 12 and returns you at 3, 4 or 5) that takes you to a private beach with a restaurant. The boat pulls up to the dock at the appointed times and has a red fish on a pole on the boat (I don't know its official name). The ride is free and they raved about the white wine sangria and food at the restaurant and had a great time at the beach. Unfortunately we didn't have time to do it, but they loved it.

We booked at the Hotel Jolanda which seems to be in a good price range and have had great reviews on this forum and on trip advisor. Also, I have been told the Laurin is nice as well, and right on the water...