We are planning a trip to Italy for the last week of March 2006. My husband and I will be traveling with another couple and their 18 eyar old son. We want to spend about 4 nights in the Amalfi Coast area (and visit Pompeii and Capri on day trips while there). Any ideas on good hotels for us? Somewhere around $200 US per night or less? Any suggestions on restaurants, sights, etc.? Since there will be 5 of us, should we hire a driver for a day to take us to Pompeii or should we just go on our own? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Got some great help on this sight for our recent trip to Africa - looking forward to the same for Italy.

My husband and I and our then 18-year old son stayed in Sorrento in June 2003. We stayed at Settimo Cielo. We loved it so much and plan on returning in March/April 2006. We had an ocean view room with a terrace that looked out over the cliffs to the water. Beautiful! It was a short walk to go into town to eat and shop. The last night we were there we were too tired to go to town to eat so we tried the little restaurant right next door. I'm sorry I don't know the name. The food was the best we had in Italy and a fantastic view also.

I have a question for you -- we are thinking March/April 2006 for a return. Do you think the weather will be ok at that time? When we were there in beginning of June 2003 it was too hot for us and we're from Dallas, TX!

We very much enjoyed the Bellevue Syrene in Sorrento, but it may be just over your budget limit.

It's very easy (and cheap) to get to Pompei from Sorrento using the train. No need to hire a car/driver. Just go to the Sorrento station, buy tickets and hop on the first train. Sorrento is the southern end of the line, so the train will arrive, remain several minutes and then go back toward Naples. About 30 minutes later (and about a dozen quick stops), you'll arrive at Pompei. The entrance is across the street from the station.

I don't know your level of interest in Pompei, but we spent an entire day there (about 10 a.m. to closing) and didn't see the entire excavation. It's fascinating.

There are a cafeteria and restrooms near the Forum. You can hire a guide or rent audio guides at the entrance. We guided ourselves with a good book on Pompei.

Sorrento is the best location if you want to visit both Pompeii and Capri. The Circumvesuviana train runs directly from Sorrento to the Pompeii sight (about 40-45 minutes I believe). You can take a ferry directly from Sorrento to Capri and back.

We stayed at La Tonnarella in May at 160€ per night. Great room and fabulous terrace with view, mediocre service and terrible food. It is in your price range though.

villarosapositano.com 150/night including good breakfast on terrace overlooking ocean, 10 minute walk to beach.

Hi jc,

I also suggest Sorrento.

Enter <Sorrento and Hotel> in the "search this forum" box.

We stayed at the Antiche Mura in Sorrento in February. It doesn't have an ocean view but the weather was bad when we were there so we didn't need one. 180e for a quad room with a great breakfast. You can do day trips to Positano, Capri and Pompeii from Sorrento quite easily. The Circumvesuviana is convenient but make sure you validate your ticket before boarding the train.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Sounds like for seeing Pompeii and Capri, Sorrento is the place to stay. As for weather, petsitter, according to the guide books the average temps will be high 50's or low 60's. Having lived in Texas (Beaumont) for four years, I understand the heat there ! The Settimo Cielo looks fabulous! So do the other places mentioned. Actually, I haven't seen a bad looking hotel yet! Thanks again.

I highly recommend Pollazo Murat although I think it was a bit more than $200 but worth every dollar!