just back-2 weeks Rome+Amalfi Coast
 

What a great trip-- we experienced "shock and awe" at the incredible beauty-- Following are the prices we paid per night for 2 people in 2 or 3 star hotels. All included continental breakfast. I found and booked all of our hotels on-line and had no problems giving my credit card info to hold the rooms-

First 3 nights in Rome at Hotel Italia, 10 minute walk from train station-- $113- Great English-speaking front desk staff-- Loved Resturant Edy near Spanish Steps-

Took train to Naples and then ferry to Ischia-- We stayed at Pensione Olmitello on Maronti Beach for 3 nights-- only $90 and included half-board-- What a wonderful family-owned hotel--Delicious 3 course dinners- You must walk 10 minutes on beach to get there! The hot springs spa Aphrodite and Apollo was fantastic-- Also took bus to Poseidon Springs on other side of island--
Only mistake we made was taking taxi from ferry to Maronti- (cost $25!) Bus service on island is great-
Took ferry to Capri for one night at Hotel Bellevista- $108-- in Anacapri-- We actually walked from hotel down to Blue Grotto and then got the rowboat into the cave and took the bus back up to town-- a trip highlight-

Took ferry to Sorrento for 3 nights at Hotel Il Nido $98- Another great hotel way above the city--it has a van that makes regular trips into town-- We took train from Sorrento for a day at Pompeii- not to be missed!

Last stop, Ravello-- We stayed at Hotel Graal $123 which was the best deal in this small town-- Same amazing views as the $500 Hotel Polumbo!

My husband and I each brought one SMALL bag so we could easily jump on ferries and buses-- That is the BEST advice I can offer! Only bring what YOU can carry yourself and spend a couple hours at a laundromat!

The transportation system was excellent-- Getting on the SITA bus from Sorrento to Amalfi was a crushing experience, but I am so glad we didn't rent a car-- You do NOT want to drive that coast!

Hope this has been helpful-- Susan in Louisville

Susan,
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! My fiancee and i will be honeymooning in italy during july (see my posting)...we begin our vacation on ischia at park hotel miramare (which, i believe, is connected to the spa you went to...). We are looking forward to the trip very much...we'll also be heading to Sorrento and Rome, then up north for a couple of weeks. What did you think of ischia? any recommendations on things to do/see? restaurants? Thanks for the report!

What a wonderful place for a honeymoon!
I'm not sure where your hotel is, but the entire island of ischia is totally accessible by bus-- The beach at Maronti is the best and you MUST go to the town of Sant'Angelo-- There is a wonderful cafe overlooking the small harbor perfect for afternoon drinks-- We also had a great lunch at a beachside restaurant in the area outside the entrance to Poseidon-- btw, that spa requires you wear a bathing cap, but my husband got away with just a ball cap--
enjoy!

Susan, sounds like you had a wonderful trip. We are going to Sorrento, Capri and Ravello as well in May. So I have so many questions for you. I hope you don't mind. Ravello will be our last stay before we head back to Rome and then home. 1) Do you have any suggestions as to what transportation to use?

We were thinking of hiring a driver to get us to Salerno to take the train to Rome. ( This would be from Ravello)
2)Then were there any open markets( Flea markets) you enjoyed during your travels?
3) We will also be staying in Hotel Graal in Ravello. Any tips on what room to ask for? Or what to do while there? Or where to eat? Thanks a bunch. Julie

SDPJ - Susan has a total of 4 posts on Fodors, and hasn't posted since 2003. You need to start your own new thread.

Sounds wonderful. Could you tell me a little more about Hotel Il Nido. We're in the planning stages .
How did you get there from the train station? Was being out of town cause any logistics problems without a car?

TIA