My husband and I will be attending a one-week birthday celebration on Capri in June. We would then like to spend a few days by ourselves before flying home to Abu Dhabi. We're at a loss on where to go--Naples, Sorrento, Positano, or perhaps Rome? This is our first time to Italy, and would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks much!

DAB

If you can stretch "a few days" to four at least, then my answer would be Rome.

Sorrento, in my opinion, is over-touristed and boring; Positano is more or less a repeat of Capri under different physical conditions (Is this a sheikh who is celebrating his birthday for a full week on Capri?); Naples is really just a bit too frenetic for first-time visitors to Italy.

Rome, however, will let you explore its many points of interest or, if you prefer, allow you to sit in cafes doing sweet nothing ("dolce far niente"; mine is not a literal translation) or allow you to combine the two, together with mostly good meals in restaurants in all price ranges.

But even Rome takes a little bit of getting used to (it is also a frenetic city but without the almost total anarchy that reigns in Naples), which is why I would suggest at least four days.

Second the advice for going to Rome. You can see ancient Roman sights, amazing Renaissance sights, Baroque sights... the food is good and the "tempo" can be as relaxed or fast-paced as you wish.

Rome it is! Thanks much for your input. Now, any great 4 or 5-star hotels you could recommend in a good location?

P.S. - Not a Sheikh's party, just a very lucky soon-to-be 40 year old married to a wonderful guy...!

Please note that this is not from personal experience, but the four- or five-star hotel most often mentioned here is Grand Hotel Minerva, probably for its location in the historical centre close to the Pantheon, which is where most or many frequent visitors to Rome like to stay. However, there are no great views, simply because it is in the historical centre.

A very luxurious hotel that opened recently is the Hotel de Russie, near the Piazza del Popolo. The location is still quite good, there is a lovely garden/courtyard and, if I recall correctly, some rooms have nice views.

Please avoid the Westin Excelsior on the Via Veneto (which will only put you in the middle of other expensive hotels and cafes and nowhere near a genuine experience of Rome).

The Hassler Villa Medici at the top of the Spanish Steps is said to be slightly worn around the edges. And again, the Piazza di Spagna area is fine for high-end shopping but not much in the way of experiencing Rome.

The Grand is, to my mind, in a not very good location and too close to the train station; the Raphael, which is in an excellent location near the Piazza Navona, gets very mixed reviews.

Enjoy Rome!

I'd say if you only have a "few" extra days, go to Sorrento. From there you can take a day trip to Pompeii, Naples, Amalfi/Positano or just explore the peninsula walking from town to town (Annunziata, Sant Agata, etc.) Or a day in Procida (very different from Capri). Lots to do in this area, all close together and easy to travel.