Good beach, hotel and town all in one?
Mar 24th, 2012, 08:26 AM
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Good beach, hotel and town all in one?
We are in search of a destination in Italy with a good beach, good hotel and good town. Great food is also required. Any suggestions?
Positano? Beach is pebbly but there are many good 4 star hotels so perhaps this is a good option? From there we can visit Pompeii and Paestum and other beaches easily? Is there an area in Positano that people stroll in the evening or is most of the strolling simply up and down many stairs?
Santa Margherita area? We were there years ago, beaches also were pebbly but perhaps the Amalfi coast is prettier and has more to see and do?
Puglia? Seems to tick all the boxes but we don't really want to stay in a Masseria. In terms of good hotels in or near a town and near a beach there don't seem to be that many options. Any recommendations? We are fine with smaller hotels and prefer them.
Sicily? Taormina looks interesting but the beaches are down a long hill and, in truth, we think we prefer the food in other parts of Italy. Plus the other areas of Sicily look more interesting in terms of touring.
Sardinia? Great beaches but a good 4 star hotel seems to have stratospheric pricing in the summer. And most of those don't even seem to get good reviews. Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
Positano? Beach is pebbly but there are many good 4 star hotels so perhaps this is a good option? From there we can visit Pompeii and Paestum and other beaches easily? Is there an area in Positano that people stroll in the evening or is most of the strolling simply up and down many stairs?
Santa Margherita area? We were there years ago, beaches also were pebbly but perhaps the Amalfi coast is prettier and has more to see and do?
Puglia? Seems to tick all the boxes but we don't really want to stay in a Masseria. In terms of good hotels in or near a town and near a beach there don't seem to be that many options. Any recommendations? We are fine with smaller hotels and prefer them.
Sicily? Taormina looks interesting but the beaches are down a long hill and, in truth, we think we prefer the food in other parts of Italy. Plus the other areas of Sicily look more interesting in terms of touring.
Sardinia? Great beaches but a good 4 star hotel seems to have stratospheric pricing in the summer. And most of those don't even seem to get good reviews. Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
Mar 24th, 2012, 08:52 AM
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Most waterside hotels are going to have stratospheric pricing in summer, especially if you are looking for a 4* so you might as well go where you want to go. Also be aware that in the mostly touristy destinations you've mentioned, you are not going to get "great" food unless you go out of town for it.
I would think Puglia is your best bet. You should also check out the Gargano peninsula and the Gulf of Taranto.
Just so you know, you can't visit Pompei and Paestum "easily" from Positano. You could do that more easily from Maiori , but I don't know what hotels are like around there. Beach is much better than in Positano, and food is better once you start heading down the coast toward Salerno.
I have heard that Paestum itself has a lovely beach, but again, your chances of finding a 4* in that area are slim, I think.
Sestri Levante on the Riviera has two enjoyable sand beaches, but read reviews for its 4* hotels. It has much better food than Santa Margherita Ligure, and you might find even its best hotels are bargains compared to some other destinations.
Taormina is so touristy and hot in summer, and food is not stellar, so I'd look elsewhere in Sicily. Maybe the Panarea or other resort locations? (But once you are there, you are stuck there.)
I would think Puglia is your best bet. You should also check out the Gargano peninsula and the Gulf of Taranto.
Just so you know, you can't visit Pompei and Paestum "easily" from Positano. You could do that more easily from Maiori , but I don't know what hotels are like around there. Beach is much better than in Positano, and food is better once you start heading down the coast toward Salerno.
I have heard that Paestum itself has a lovely beach, but again, your chances of finding a 4* in that area are slim, I think.
Sestri Levante on the Riviera has two enjoyable sand beaches, but read reviews for its 4* hotels. It has much better food than Santa Margherita Ligure, and you might find even its best hotels are bargains compared to some other destinations.
Taormina is so touristy and hot in summer, and food is not stellar, so I'd look elsewhere in Sicily. Maybe the Panarea or other resort locations? (But once you are there, you are stuck there.)
Mar 24th, 2012, 09:02 AM
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Mar 24th, 2012, 09:05 AM
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Mar 24th, 2012, 09:22 AM
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And if you prefer way south and lots of sand
http://www.hotelfalli.com/index-en.php
but you should check reviews, as I have never stayed there
http://www.hotelfalli.com/index-en.php
but you should check reviews, as I have never stayed there
Mar 24th, 2012, 09:45 AM
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We visited Mondello in Sicily some years ago in March. Kids were playing volley ball on what looked like a sandy beach. There was a nifty Deco beach house, sweet market and quite a few summer homes (you'd need to google places/hotels). Mondello is about 10 miles from Palermo where we based for bus trips to Monreale and Agrigento. We just took a city bus to the beach as one of our day trips from Palermo. We flew to Palermo airport and bussed into the city.
I know you said Italy, but Menton, France is just a hop, skip and jump from the Italian border. We based there (again, in March) and stayed on the western end of the beach. We agreed that the eastern end looked more "popular" and easier walk to a lovely shopping area. I'm not certain how pebbly the beach is. We flew to Nice airport and bussed to Menton.
From Menton, we visited the big market in Ventimiglia, Italy. There was a big beach there as well.
No doubt someone who has been to what I've described can be more specific. DH and I were not beach people.
I know you said Italy, but Menton, France is just a hop, skip and jump from the Italian border. We based there (again, in March) and stayed on the western end of the beach. We agreed that the eastern end looked more "popular" and easier walk to a lovely shopping area. I'm not certain how pebbly the beach is. We flew to Nice airport and bussed to Menton.
From Menton, we visited the big market in Ventimiglia, Italy. There was a big beach there as well.
No doubt someone who has been to what I've described can be more specific. DH and I were not beach people.
Mar 24th, 2012, 10:14 AM
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I love the beaches in this area, and this hotel is quite nice.
http://www.villairlanda.com/index_eng.php
http://www.villairlanda.com/index_eng.php
Mar 24th, 2012, 10:21 AM
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Consider Castiglione della Pescaia in Tuscany: sandy beach, town with some historic interest, food of an acceptable, non-touristy standard, since the town is not on most non-Italians' radar. Hotel might be a problem: there are not many; Italian families presumably use vacation rentals that they return to year after year.
Mar 24th, 2012, 10:47 AM
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The term "masseria" refers to the architectural style and original use of the property. So I am curious as to why you would reject staying at one outright, since the term now encompasses a vast range of Pugliese properties from rustic rural agriturismi to sumptuous multi-star properties on or near the sea.
Mar 24th, 2012, 11:24 AM
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Thank you very much for the feedback.
Gargano looks really good and I was researching it the other day. I then got to checking hotel reviews and, again, none seemed very good. Many were large, aimed towards families with young kids and/or were only half board. We will keep looking there because geographically it looks like it would be easy to combine that area with another part of Italy, a bit north or south.
Yes, we are looking south of Amalfi. Towards Maratea, where the beaches and food both look good. Any suggestions on a property there? We have found a small very nice B&B in the hills near to Pasteum and that may be an option, with easy beach access, we think.
Sestri Levante also looks good and we will research hotels. That could also combine with a drive north and west to Provence.
On that score, do you have the name of the hotel(s) that looked good in Meton?
Castiglianoe in Tuscany looks great too, will search for hotels.
For the Masserias we have found, after checking a number of them, many appeal a bit far from town. The very nice ones and those that seem most appealing get very expensive in the summer, at least equal in cost or more expensive than 5 star luxe properties near Amalfi or elsewhere. Likewise we are traveling with our teens. Most Masserias will not accomodate four in a room, even their largest suite, so we then would have to take two very expensive rooms, most that do not connect. So, all in all, they have not panned out for us. Yet the area seems very good.
Gargano looks really good and I was researching it the other day. I then got to checking hotel reviews and, again, none seemed very good. Many were large, aimed towards families with young kids and/or were only half board. We will keep looking there because geographically it looks like it would be easy to combine that area with another part of Italy, a bit north or south.
Yes, we are looking south of Amalfi. Towards Maratea, where the beaches and food both look good. Any suggestions on a property there? We have found a small very nice B&B in the hills near to Pasteum and that may be an option, with easy beach access, we think.
Sestri Levante also looks good and we will research hotels. That could also combine with a drive north and west to Provence.
On that score, do you have the name of the hotel(s) that looked good in Meton?
Castiglianoe in Tuscany looks great too, will search for hotels.
For the Masserias we have found, after checking a number of them, many appeal a bit far from town. The very nice ones and those that seem most appealing get very expensive in the summer, at least equal in cost or more expensive than 5 star luxe properties near Amalfi or elsewhere. Likewise we are traveling with our teens. Most Masserias will not accomodate four in a room, even their largest suite, so we then would have to take two very expensive rooms, most that do not connect. So, all in all, they have not panned out for us. Yet the area seems very good.
Mar 24th, 2012, 01:01 PM
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Locanda delle Donna Monache in Maratea town is a nice hotel.
I loved the town of Maratea but it is on the hillside with no sea views. You need a car to get to the beach. The coastal scenery in that area is superlative and the beaches I saw were divine.
http://www.locandamonache.com/
I loved the town of Maratea but it is on the hillside with no sea views. You need a car to get to the beach. The coastal scenery in that area is superlative and the beaches I saw were divine.
http://www.locandamonache.com/
Mar 24th, 2012, 01:54 PM
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TDudette,
In Mondello, I stayed in rental apartments in the heart of town.
As for Menton, I just don't find the town all that appealing. I certainly don't see it as a multi-day destination for a beach vacation. The beaches are blah. Corsica has some areas of pristine waters, some still wild beaches and the possibility of real seclusion except in the peak of summer.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...ins-and-beauty
In Mondello, I stayed in rental apartments in the heart of town.
As for Menton, I just don't find the town all that appealing. I certainly don't see it as a multi-day destination for a beach vacation. The beaches are blah. Corsica has some areas of pristine waters, some still wild beaches and the possibility of real seclusion except in the peak of summer.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/arti...ins-and-beauty
Mar 24th, 2012, 04:42 PM
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Consider also the area around SanRemo. SanRemo itself has postage stamp beaches, but short busses or trains from there lead to lusher places, and pretty cities. Each burgh near there has some rare qualities like nowhere else. SanRemo itself has a great market, a vivid center, brilliant light, and great aspects. Bordighera nearby (a jostling, florid bus-ride from there) is a languid beauty. Imperia has an old city on the hill that is rarely visited but is remarkable. Albenga is inland, but has a classic architectural center. Alassio and Finale Ligure, just an hour or so away, have great beaches (but little else - - although sometimes that is OK). You could also do a daytrip to Genoa - - or Nice - - for some great city shopping and visual experience. And even border-city Ventimiglia has good beaches and a great market. This is a dense, rich area where people often don't go, because the sum total of delights are kind of splintered as described above, but if you move a little each day, it is a lost vision of archaic beauty and amazing everyday visions.
Mar 25th, 2012, 05:50 AM
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To each his own, zepp. We were only in Mondello for an afternoon so you probably got a deeper picture of it.
As for Menton, as I mentioned, it was in March and we weren't beach oriented. If OP is interested, here are a couple of shots from that entire trip-I'd consider living there so we disagree about its charm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3221999...7623590594571/
dfourh, and Menton is nearby! We did get to Ventimiglia but the other places you mention sound super. We took a bus ride from Menton to Nice and in March it was crowded and hot-hate to think what it would be like in summer. It cost, however, one euro apiece!
tengohambre, hope to hear all about your trip!
As for Menton, as I mentioned, it was in March and we weren't beach oriented. If OP is interested, here are a couple of shots from that entire trip-I'd consider living there so we disagree about its charm:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/3221999...7623590594571/
dfourh, and Menton is nearby! We did get to Ventimiglia but the other places you mention sound super. We took a bus ride from Menton to Nice and in March it was crowded and hot-hate to think what it would be like in summer. It cost, however, one euro apiece!
tengohambre, hope to hear all about your trip!
