bakerstreet

Wow, there is a lot of criticism aimed at you. There is so much good on this forum, though, and I like to think people mean well, that it's worth overlooking anything that may come across as negative. Many experienced people here offer good advice.

I celebrated a birthday on Capri with two nights at a hotel we loved -- Casa Morgano. Got a "junior suite" (really just a large room) with a large balcony overlooking the sea and it was magical. It was wonderful being on Capri in the early mornings and evenings after the daytrippers left. I have nothing against daytrippers, but it's a small island and the crowds during the days were intense -- that's when we'd hang out on our balcony. And there are lovely restaurants perched on cliffs with superb views for evening dinners. That would be a great place to splurge on a birthday.

We found a good driver/guide for the Amalfi Coast, a man from Sorrento who is very experienced with the area. He picked four of us up at our Sorrento hotel and drove us all along the Amalfi Coast on one very long day, going as far as Ravello. He had contacts all along the route, for garage parking, good restaurants, etc., so he maximized our time seeing everything, taught us along the way about what we were seeing, and made it as easy as possible for us to see as much as possible. If you are interested in that I'll try to find his name.

You have chosen outstanding places; hope you have a wonderful trip. Post back if you would and let us know how it turned out.

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Travel_Nerd

I don't think anyone was being critical. Realistic and not sugar-coated with the reality of what the OP is trying to achieve, yes.

One post was moderated, possibly because there was an AI bot post that has since been deleted.

ekscrunchy

Hotels that are willing to take points in stead of cash tend to be the higher priced hotels.
A "nice" Amalfii Coast hotel would run more than 300 euro per night in June.

Before going further, you ought to see where you can stay within your budget. Only then, plan the rest of the trip--flights, other destinations, maybe.

To me it seems crazy to include three countries in so little time.

You want Italian beaches....look further south to the Cilento, or to Maratea.
Combine either with Naples and there, your week is set.

janisj

bakerstreet: No one is criticizing the OP. Where did that come from???

Did you actually check the Casa Morgano site before posting and getting the OP's hopes up? They are 100% booked up for all of June, July and August. If they did have availability they charge €430/$465 per night in October (the first dates I could find openings) so who knows what the room rate would be in late June.

ekscrunchy

To be fair, you can phone, which once in a while turns up rooms not visible on the website...but still..your pricing, in that time ov year,,,is low.

Can't you go somewhere close to have a more "authentic" Italian experience but sill have great food and beaches???
I mentioned the Cilento and the area of Maratea...

Madam397

Too many places, too little time, late in planning. You should definitely rethink this as you could easily spend the entire time in Paris, or the Amalfi Coast or Barcelona but not all three. June is a busy time and with the Paris Olympics opening in July, Paris is busy with construction as well as people traveling in June this year to be ahead of the Olympics.

danon

as mentioned by another poster
once you are in Paris, you have to go through the passport control, pick up your luggage ,
get to your hotel, check in . Takes a chunk of your day. Same with leaving Pais..you have to be at the airport in enough time to go through the security and passport control…again shortens your time in the city.
Paris is a great, big , busy place.
If you like some beach time , perhaps you might consider selecting either AC or Barcelona after Paris.

Jean

"We really added Paris/Barcelona since direct flight to Naples was unreasonable. We initially planned to stay only in Amalfi..."

In re-reading all of your posts, these two comments stood out. I don't understand... if your initial plan was to stay only in Amalfi, how did Paris or Barcelona even enter the picture? And why both? If Naples is the closest airport to your preferred destination, what made the direct flight to Naples "unreasonable"? Did you consider flying in/out of Rome and taking the train to Naples?

JMO, but eliminating the two short flights would save money and, perhaps more importantly in a somewhat short trip, TIME.

Anyway, this is all moot if you can't find acceptable lodging on the Amalfi Coast for at least some of your days.

ekscrunchy

TravelNerd had a good idea:

Spend a few days in any Amalfi Coast hotel where you can find a room for less than $200USD. Spend a few days, before or after in Naples.
Then take ferry from Naples or Sorrento to Ischia where you have more chance of decent hotel prices...it's an underrated island among Americans and its fantastic! Bus routes cover the island, there are thermal baths and great food a volcano hike....on and on....

You do know that in June the chances of a comfortable swim in the sea in that area are very slim unless you like cold water.

Are you opposed to heading for a less tourist-oriented resort area like Maratea or the Cilento...please let me know so I will not go on and on about those places which I like very much.

Here are a few photos from last September in and near Maratea where we stayed about 5 nights:





Welcome to Maratea, easy drive from Amalfi Coast, where we spent our first night after arrival from NYC. I had fallen in love with the area about ten years ago and gone back a few times..

Typical road around Maratea, Basilicata..easy driving despite the impression given by photo.

View of sea from our hotel

Pool (heated) at our hotel

One of many lidi (privately owned beaches charging nominal entrance fee) along that coast, where you can spend the day...no other languages heard that day, save Italian...so much fun..we chatted with so many people who were so welcoming to us

Lido near Maratea, about 10 euro gets you a chair, umbrella, changing room, and there is a casual restaurant too.

Another (free) beach along Maratea coast