isabel

I'm not sure what you are seeing for flights. I just looked and saw Turkish air flights - one leaves BOS around midnight and gets to Rome around midnight the next day - so you couldn't go down to the coast obviously, and in fact would have to take a taxi to your hotel since the train doesn't run that late. That one has a five hour layover in IST so going into the city would be cutting it close. Other flights (and the return) were more like a total of over 30 hours. Those did have 15 or so hour layovers so is you wanted to go to IST that would certainly be enough time. The aerlingus flights leave BOS around 7pm and get to Rome around 11 am with less than a two hour layover in Dublin - just enough time to grab a bite to eat (or a guiness on the return, not open in the early a.m.) and get on the next flight. And you are there in time to either travel down to Naples/Sorrento or to enjoy a day in Rome.

The only time I'v e been to Istanbul was a few years ago and we were looking to go to Paris that year and flights to IST were cheaper than flights to Paris. Crazy. Anyway we decided to go to Istanbul instead and went for a whole week.

I can see how you would be tempted to 'save a few bucks' and get to see the Blue Mosque an Aga Sophia but it will really eat into your Italy vacation.

nturner508

Definitely good points Isabel. I was unaware but not surprised that the train wouldn't run that late even in Rome. We have 2 full weeks off so we're planning to exclude our travel time but I do not want to be jetlagged the entire trip if our point is not to see Istanbul. The promise of a real Guinness will definitely appeal to my fiance too!

Sue_xx_yy

"I would put your Rome days at the end of the trip so you are there the night before your flight home."

I would add my voice to the multitudes who have already suggested this. Plus, Rome is more intense than Sorrento, I would finish up with it rather than start off there.

About the flights.

I realize that cost is an issue, but isabel makes a very good point about times. You lose in effect an entire day if you arrive at night instead of the morning, so much for the savings.

"We have two full weeks off so it doesn't seem bad to spend a few days traveling. "

I would plan for at least a couple of days at home after your return from the trip but before your return to work, for two reasons. One, it gives you a chance to decompress after the trip, readjust your biological clock, catch up on mail, etc. The other is that it is a valuable 'buffer' to insulate you from any possible return flight delays.

I do understand the desire to maximize the trip, but if you leave a little slack, you will get something closer to a first class experience without having to fork out for first class.

bilboburgler

Do avoid Marriotts, in fact I'd avoid anything that was a "Brand" rather than a hotel. Really no point in coming to a different place and living like an American, get out and stay in some of the charming smaller places.

sandralist

I totally disagree with the above advice, especially regarding the Naples Marriott. First of all, its got a fantastic location, second of all, there is a real reason to want mod-cons like air conditioning, wi-fi and quiet in a city like Naples. Plus, if you want to spend the money on something other than a hotel room (where you will never be spending any time anyway), why not.

There are many charming b&bs in Naples that do have the creature comforts I mentioned, and I often stay in them myself, as well as rental apartments. Certainly you should read reviews for that Marriott to make sure it hasn't developed any problems, but if it suits you, don't be shamed into staying some place else.

When I first started traveling in Europe, I made it a point to stay in guide-book and travel "guru" recommended hotels with "character", and stopped doing it fairly quickly. While some of them were a lot of fun (especially in Italy, where small b&bs are usually run by terrific young people and have great prices), a lot of them were just cliches of what tourists think is "French" or "British", and a great many of them are quite overpriced.

If you want to see and understand the country you are visiting, get out of any hotel and meet it head on -- and spend any money you saved by using points to buy books, local food and entry tickets to sites of great interest.

nturner508

We barely spend any time in the hotel so I'm not worried, just travel a lot for work so I have a lot of points to use. I saw a very nice one in downtown Rome as well so maybe we'll opt for some B&Bs for part of the trip. I appreciate all the different perspectives though, it helps to make our own decision and hear what's worked for people. Thank you all!