kellbell

Chlo:
That's exactly what he said. Just seems a little sketchy to me, that's all. I like to know it is a done deal. Personally, I say between the two go with Hotel Belsito.

Ok. . . now I'm totally rethinking my itinerary. Sneaking into other people's threads to see what sort of advice they are getting/giving and bobthenavigator suggesting leaving Rome until the end of another traveler's trip. Wondering if I should do the same.

Ok. . . comments on
Itinerary #1 (the original plan)
Stay in Rome 2 nights
Stay in Capri 1 night
Stay in Positano 3 nights (day trips to Ravello, Amalfi, Pompeii)
Free night (Leave one night open to decide if we need more time in Positano/stay in Sorrento/or want an extra night in Rome)
Stay in Rome last night to fly out in am.

OR
Itinerary #2 (the you-think-too much option)

Land in Rome, head straight to Positano
Stay in Positano 3 nights (Tues-Thursday)
Stay in Capri 1 night (Friday)
Stay in Sorrento 1 night (Saturday)
Stay in Rome 3 nights (Sunday-Tuesday)
Fly out on Wednesday am.

Ok, so in option #2 I miss the pope on Wednesday. . . but maybe I have an easier time finding rooms in Positano during the week than on the weekend??

Can you tell I'm indecisive/inexperienced??

pjmay

i think i am more indecisive than you, but i'll try & make myself feel better about that by trying to give you some advice!
id lean toward option 2 just b/c of what you said bobthenavigator said. I am also saving Rome for last, mainly for wanting to do the coast first - i figure after the wedding & long flight i am going to want to relax as much as possible, not do heavy sightseeing in Rome right away. So i am planning on hopefully doing Positano first. For 3 straight nights of relaxing & doing nothing much but enjoy the scenery & my new husband ;-)

you already got your plane tickets right? otherwise id suggest flying into Naples & home from Rome. But it dosent sound like the commute from Rome to Positano is too bad.

kellbell

Now that I really think about it, that makes sense. I guess I don't know what to expect after the wedding, blah, blah. Hopefully Hotel Italia will shift my reservation around a bit!

kellbell

PJMay: Just to let you know, I wrote the woman from Hotel Marincanto to ask her if she could tell me which picture from their website is of their junior suite. . . so, we'll soon find out! I'll let you know what I hear.

I just emailed the hotels I've contacted to ask them about alternative dates. I'm sure they are cursing my name already!

Amanda

Hi Kellbell and all you honeymooners out there! We went to Positano last year in May 23rd to 27th I think, and there was a cold snap as we arrived (short jacket and long pants to dinner, cardigan in morning), but then it heated up to what the locals said was normal - about 85+ deg F, so T-shirt and shorts/skirt weather.We did some walks in and around Positano - very hilly and hot, hence the shorts and sandshoes/joggers. Around towns like Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi,Ravello, Pompeii wore skirt and sandals, but beware the cobblestones! No stilettos!

At night wore sleeveless tops, skirts, sandals and took jacket/wrap, because often eat outside! Have the prosecco!

I took the bus from Positano to Sorrento (buy ticket first - from bar I think), about 1.80E - takes half an hour at that time of year (fantastic views, but better views from Salerno to Amalfi and Positano, so do a day trip by ferry to Amalfi, bus to Ravello, and bus back to Positano),then 1/2 hour train - Circumvesuviana (again 1.80E) to Pompeii, Pompeii is VERY hot and DUSTY!!! Well worth the trip, do it in about 3-4 hours, and use a guide. Return by train to Sorrento, look around Sorrento for the rest of the day, then Ferry back to Positano. I think the ferries stop about 5.00pm so check that on their website.

The ferries don't run if it is at all rough because of docking problems, so you may have to use the SITA buses anyway, but they are comfortable. I visited Pompeii on a Sunday, and the traffic was noticably greater on the roads, with many cyclists out practising for their Tour D'Italy or whatever, so that added to the fun of bus vs car vs bikes!

We stayed at Villa Rosa and if you want the terrace experience, that's it!!! Beautiful rooms (double means one king size bed), ours had a bath in it not jacuzzi, and a great terrace where you are served breakfast, and we brought back lots of food - cheeses, meats, cherries in May!!! -and wine, and ate on our terrace looking over the islands of Li Galli just like the ads!
VR also gives you coffee (capuccino/latte etc)any time of day or night free!
I would REALLY recommend this for a honeymoon memory - worth the money!!!!

Stay in Rome and Positano, and do day trips to the other places, or lie on the beach as my husband and our 2 friends did, while I went to Pompeii, because it was a holiday too! The smaller beach at Positano has the cheapest "sitting sites" - lounges, matching umbrellas, table and changeroom for the day! So you can leave all your stuff locked in the changeroom while you go to have lunch somewhere.

I wrote a diary of our trip here - click on my name for the details of Positano etc.
Have a wonderful honeymoon, and don't forget to relax in between all that sight seeing - you have to leave something to see next time!

kellbell

Thanks, Amanda! Really great advice and insights. Looking forward to reading your trip diary.

I want to stay at Villa Rosa after all the great things I've heard. . . but I haven't received an email message from them. I guess I'm going to have to break down and pick up the phone and give my Italian a try. . .

Buongiorno. . . Come sta?

(is this right?)

SeaUrchin

Wow, I feel romance in the air, this forum is becoming Honeymoon Central!

You will love the AC for a honeymoon, or any kind of moon (that didn't come out right did it?).

I think you had better phone the hotel directly, you will get an immediate answer and priority to emails if they haven't answered yet. The clerk will probably speak enough English to make a reservation, they do it all day.

Good Luck, and keep us romantics informed (and trip reports too!)

noodlez04

I am exicted for you! I spent New Year's in Rome and after our time there our next stop was Naples for the night to see Pompeii. I stayed in a little hostel in Naples called Hostel of the Sun. Basically, it was cheap and a place to sleep. They served cereal for breakfast, but I didn't really like it. However, the people were all wonderfully nice. If you want to meet people from all over and be able to talk to and learn about them, then a hostel is a good place to stay. (www.hostels.com- I think). The bus to Pompeii is at the marina and is either two or four euros round trip. It is a 30 minute ride and Pompeii is incredable. I could not believe how huge it was and they have mosaics, paintings, artifacts, etc. that have been excavated. It was really amazing.

If you are going to make more time for anything, I would recommend that you make more time for Rome because there is just so much there. At any rate, you will have a great time no matter what.

kellbell

FINALLY! (yes, that was a scream) The stars have aligned and all my hotel rooms are booked!! I'm so excited (and today is my birthday to boot!!)

Here's the final plan. . . .

Fly from DC to Rome on Monday

Land in Rome on Tuesday, stay Tuesday night and Wednesday night at Hotel Italia (thank you crystalnpat!)for 100euro/night, with discount for paying in cash and mentioning Rick Steve.

Leave Thursday am for Capri, stay Thursday night and Friday night at Hotel Belsito (yes, back to two nights in Capri b/c hotel in Positano didn't have availability on Friday night)for 124euro/night. Chlo. . . did you book here, too?

Leave Saturday for Positano (early!), stay Saturday night and Sunday night at Villa Rosa (I'm SO HAPPY!) for 130 euro/night.

Monday. Still undecided. Leaving this day sort of open to see how we feel and what we want to do. Am banking on the fact that we won't have too much difficulty finding a hotel on the fly in Positano, Sorrento or Rome. Am I foolish?

Tuesday leave for Rome, stay at Hotel Panda for 68 euro.

Wednesday, fly back to DC. Sobbing hysterically, I'm sure!

We decided that we aren't going to break our necks in Rome trying to take in all the sites. But give me your top ten of things I absolutely cannot miss while in Rome, and if you are inclined, let me know if I can pre-purchase tickets or if I should prepare for a long line. . . .

Now comes the fun part -- reading everyone's past posts for FOOD suggestions!! Love this planning!

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

pjmay

kellbell...
i cant believe it! today is my birthday too! im sorry, i think thats crazy! happy birthday!! how old? i am 26.

i think your plan sounds perfect. of course anything fully booked sounds perfect to me right now! i have a busy weekend, wedding tonight, so i am off the planning for a couple more days. maybe sunday ill be back on here & will actually make some reservations.

thanks so much for asking about that jr. suite at that hotel too. did you ever hear anything back?

but i really think your itinerary sounds great. i cant imagine 2 nights in Capri being a bad thing! w/ that extra night, i dont know what id do, i think youll be ok playing by ear, but i have no experience so who am i to say. i may be inclined to just add a day to that villa rosa, b/c it looks so pretty.

have a great birthday & valentines day w/ your fiancee! i still cant believe we have the same bday!

Chlo

Happy B-day Kellbell!
That's great news that you're all booked! I have reserved at Hotel Belsito for the end of our trip & I am now waiting to hear back from them to confirm. Yay! This is the last touch and then we're all booked as well! Maybe we will be there at the same time!? I was speaking to a friend & she recommended a restaurant called Chez Black in Positano. I have read a little bit about it on this board, good & bad, but she just raved about it... Anyway, there's one tip for the restaurants!

pjmay

one more thing, what kind of airfare rate did you get flying out of DC?
i will be coming out of Philly, or Newark if its cheaper. & the lowest ive found is about $700 on Air France, which is an airline i havent heard great things about.
just wonderin what kind of deal you got...

bryarsmom

In Sorrento, the Bellevue Syrene is heavenly! We were there last November and the views each morning while having their sumptuous breakfast buffet-divine.

Everything in walking distance in this lovely little town-do eat at the Red Lion-good, inexpensive food.

kellbell

PJmay. . . are you kidding me?? How bizarre is that?! Happy Birthday! Ah, to be 26 again. . . . I'm five years older than you to the day. I don't actually want to type the number. I was just getting used to 30. : ) I'm fine with it. 31 is the new 21, right? So that makes you a teenager!!

I did hear back from Hotel Marincanto. This is exactly what she wrote:

We thank you for your further e-mail.

We are unable to show all of our rooms on our web site as each and every

room is different from the other. However, saying this we can assure you

that not only are all our rooms comfortable and beautifully furnished but

all also have the most magnificent views over the sea towards the Galli

islands.

The room shown on our web site with the white columns is in fact a normal

junior suite. The special junior suite we will booked for you has a much

larger terrace and a double Jacuzzi bath on the private terrace overlooking the sea and the town.

If you stay there. . . you know I'm going to hunt you down on your honeymoon so I can check out your room!! : ) You'll hear me through the streets yelling, "PJMay, where are you?!?"

I think another night in Capri will be just fine. We are sort of lazy on vacation, so it will be nice just to kick back and enjoy the time together without a rushed schedule. As long as we have access to plenty of wine!!

Have a fabulous birthday! And valentine's day!! We are taking a drive up to NYC and hopefully going to see Saturday Night Live if our ticket connection comes through!

Keep me posted on your plans once they resume. I hope you score a room at Hotel Marincanto. . . that looks incredible! Do you have their email address?

pjmay

thanks kelly,
yeah i will definitly keep you posted on all of my plans. i just might try to get a jr suite there, it sounds perfect. theres not much on this board about that hotel though. is their email on the website? if not if you could send it to me - that'd be great.

im so jealous of your nyc trip! id love to see sat night live! that should be a blast. we saw a Conan OBrien taping one time & it was so much fun.

well i am leaving work now...
ill find you on here later!

kellbell

Can I just say that I am addicted to this forum?? I'm going to get fired if I keep this up. . . .

Chlo: Thanks for the b-day wishes! Congrats on being in the home stretch of hotel reservations. Can we hear your full itinerary when you have it settled? We'll be at Belsito on the 27 and 28. You?

Bryarsmom: Thanks for the Sorrento suggestion. I think maybe we'll have to do that. . . as much as I'll want more time in Rome, I think I'm more likely to go back to Rome (or through it) on future trips and I don't know if I can say the same for AC.

PJMay: We booked our flights the day that the airfare took a big dip. Out of Reagan National, we got a $458 airfare. Granted, we have one layover in NYC on the way out and TWO layovers on the way home. Not happy about that, but really didn't have time to think when we were booking. Just wanted that fare! On Alitalia. There is a thread from not too long ago that discusses what kind of fares people were getting and from where. . . I do recall Ira posting that fares will drop again in April. And he seems to know alot! So, maybe you should hold off a bit if you can. I think you can beat $700 by playing the waiting game. . . but I'm a newbie at this. Just telling you what I've heard/read. What are you thinking you'll do?

yk

Kellbell-
Happy birthday! I'm gald you got all your hotels/itinerary sorted out!

Here's what I would do in Rome with your limited time:
On Tues after arrival-
Tour the "Roman" Rome: ie, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Palentine Hill, Trajan's Forum & Column.
If you still have energy after that:
Nice stroll from Piazza Navona via Pantheon to Trevi Fountain to Spanish Steps.

Wed: I think you mentioned you want to see the Pope. Assuming you can get tickets to Papal audience, you can spend your entire day in Vatican, St. Peters, Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel.

The top 10 things I would not miss in Rome:
#1 - 10: Sistine Chapel. The most amazing piece of artwork I've ever seen.

Chlo

Looks like we'll be at Belsito at the same time! That's so funny!!

kellbell

YK: I'm so glad that you said that. My fiancee is so fearful that we are going to be waiting in long lines to do/see everything in Rome and sort of wants to do the "drive-by" version of sightseeing. I'm telling him that not everything will require a line and that there are certain things worth standing in line for. . . one being the Sistine Chapel. I'm not leaving Rome without seeing it. How well can you see it? Is this something that we will wait in line forever to see? I know that there are a ton of posts on the sights in Rome. . . I have to go back and start reading with an eye for this information.

Chlo: Again, very bizarre. You and PJMay are going to think I'm a big ol stalker girl. Not true!! I am very social, though, and would love it if we could at least meet in person while we are there. I'll be the one in very unsensible shoes complaining about how much my feet/knees hurt!

Chlo

Kellbell: Maybe its a woman thing, but my shoes are ALWAYS far from appropriate. Especially when you are in Italy & you see the new styles they have there you can't help but want to buy them all! Sensible shoes seem to be the furthest thing from my mind... I studied in Florence on an exchange while I was in university & the shopping in Italy is fantastic! The only problem is trying to walk on cobblestones in 3" heels doesn't always work very well... Well, looks like we'll meet in Capri! I will keep an eye out for you! Speaking of birthdays, I just realised that I will be spending my 28th B-day in Rome! We'll be at Hotel Italia from the 22nd-26th. Prior to that we will be up in the lake region on Como for a few days. This is so exciting!