Hi J,

I have no doubt that you could drive the AC road.

However, you will be there 1st week in Oct, which is the shoulder season.

SITA buses won't be particularly crowded, but the tour buses will still be clogging the road.

It takes as long to drive from Sorrento to Paestum as it does to take the Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi and the Trenitalia to Paestum.

Have you looked into parking in Sorrento?

In Rome, you can skip the Time Elevator unless (1) you are traveling with kids, or (2) you know literally nothing about Roman history.

ira,
we are staying at http://www.sorrento.cc/public/resort...-APARTMENT.php
outside of Sorrento. It has parking.

There are numerous parking lots right in Sorrento too, you can find some of them on mappy.com.

Hi Janda,
With regard to the "eats" portion of the question I cannot suggest any places that you should stay away from specifically but I have learned a few things about avoiding bad "eats". I never go into a restaurant with a hawker outside trying to lure you in. Always take a look at the menu, see how "imaginative" the dishes are. The more creative then probably the better. Always look to see if they have specials listed (and I try to order from them), this indicates that the restaurant has some interest in local products that are in season. While you read the menu - sniff. If the restaurant smells good - that too is a good indicator. Stay away from empty places. Ask at your hotel where they would go for lunch (not too fussy on the concierge on this one - I wonder if they don't have an arrangement, but I do ask the doorman and on one occasion I had a great suggestion from my room cleaner). Listen to see if the restaurant guests are speaking the local language. Get the Michelin Guide. Move away from touristy areas. I often leave the tourist area, walk ten minutes up a side street and then start sniffing - follow your nose. But to be fair I have had very few "bad" meals. I have had some run of the mill ones - but at least you are eating it in a foreign country. Cheers.

Stay away from a restaurant in Rome called 'Wanted' near the Cavour Metro.

I had better food in my high school cafeteria

How can you hate Scalinata di Spagna? They lead right to the Via Condotti!!!

I had a blast, once, sitting on the steps talking to a group of Italian teenagers.

IOC: were you smoking with them, too?

I have to agree with the spanish steps not being that impressive. There are tons of scam artists at the top and bottom of the steps. I also think you should be careful of the cabbies in Rome. Had one try to charge me triple!!!! I argued with him and only paid him what I thought the fare should cost. He was mad but he knew that I knew he was trying to cheat me. Tourist menus...ditto...

Donna

I add my voice to watching out for Rome cab drivers. We're New Yorkers and STILL managed to get taken by one on last trip to Rome. Result of carelessness.... we picked up the cab at the station... but NOT at the regular cab stand. Altho, we thought it was becasue there were several cabs lined up. Be sure to get proper directions.

TorontoSteven,
you offer sound advice.
thanks

You are most welcome.