I would love some advice about Italy. My fiance and I are planning a one week trip to Italy (on a tight budget)for our honeymoon. We will fly from Atlanta to Rome, spend two days in Rome, five days in Positano/Amalfi Coast area, and fly back to Atlanta. We would love some advice about inexpensive hotels, things to see, and the best way to get around without renting a car. We are thinking of staying in Positano but are unsure about taking a train/ferry/bus to get around and see Capri. Any advice would be great as it is our first trip to Europe. Thanks!

I forgot to add that the honeymoon will be in March (April at the latest).

Hi Cgirl,

My wife and I made the same trip last September, and you can find lots and lots of info by using the search function on this board. Just a few things:

1)Later in the spring might be better for the AC. I will defer to others.

2) You need to determine how much "inexpensive" means. It will be easier to help you if we have a ballpark figure.

3) NOT renting a car is the best way to get around, plenty of trains/busses to get you where you want to go.

4) Positano is a perfect place for honeymooners to base, and Capri is an easy day trip. Just consider the season/weather.

Thanks for the help! We haven't determined our actual budget, but we are hoping for less than $7,000. We would like to keep it under $5,000 including the $1600 airfare (2 tickets roundtrip). Hotels between 100-200 euros/night are in our price range. I'd like to hear people's opinions about the best spots to visit along the Amalfi Coast and I would also like to find out about travelling out from Positano to Capri, Ravello, Pompeii, etc. and how much this costs. Any recommendations of romantic things to do in Italy would be greatly appreciated!

Le Sirrene is in Praiano, a tiny town between Positano and Amalfi. It is a great deal and has the most amazing views of the sea and Positano. The beach is about a 10-15 minute walk. Convenient buses take you from town to town. http://www.lesirene.com/tarifs.htm

In Rome we always stay at the Santa Chiara. The location is great, behind the Pantheon. Depending on the exchage it might be a bit more than you buget, but not much. You will also be under budget if you stay at Le Sirene (under$100).

Check out www.weatherbase.com and look at the weather along the Amalfi Coast in March and April before you decide to go there. The ferries will not be running yet and it looks like the weather is not nice at all...

We'll be there in mid-May and we are even a bit too early for swimming in the ocean and laying out on the beach.

Just FYI...

Sicily and Sardinia MIGHT be warm enough for the beach in March-April

P.S. We managed an 11 night honeymoon in Italy on $7000 last June (2004) with no problems, and our airfare took up $2400 of that.

You will have a lovely time in Italy on your budget!

Hi

Congratulations on future marriage. Positano is a lovely honeymoon choice.

You will have no trouble getting around. Buses are very cheap. To get to Capri from Positano simply take a bus to Sorrento then ferry to the island (ferries apparently run from Positano to Capri but maybe not when you are going).

You can get to Pompeii very easily - bus to Sorrento stops outside train station then train to Pompeii. Do not miss this attraction!

For accommodation try Villa Gabrisa - http://www.villagabrisa.com. At 120E this is good value. I like the looks of the Sireo and Nereo rooms. They have lovely balconies - a must for Positano, especially for honeymooners. Book well in advance.

Restaurant Tip: Positano: Da Costantino, via Montepertuso, 107 Tel: 089.875738. http://www.dacostantino.com
Great food, lovely wine, views, cheap (35-40 euro for 2). Try the Gnocchi al sugo.

Have a wonderful time.

Hi CG,

We also very much enjoyed our stay at Le Sirene in Praiano.

Room 12 has a large, private balcony with a wonderful view.

May I suggest that you fly in/out of Naples and save Rome for another visit.

You might find the Naples/AC prtion of my trip report helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

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