Need some advice on our 2 week trip to Italy in October. We will be renting an apartment for the first week and then moving on to Sorrento to explore Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.

My boyfriend is interested in taking an underground tour of Rome. I understand that two are available through Itinera and LUPA. Has anyone taken either of these tours and can you recommed them?

We are also looking to find a mid-priced hotel in Sorrento that is centrally located since we are making Sorrento our base. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, what is the weather like on the coast in late October? Will we be able to take the ferry's to other towns?

Finally, can we visit Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius all in one day?

In late October the Amalfi coast is NOT beach weather. It may be chilly, or still reasonably warmish. It tends to be rainy season. In Oct most of the ferries still run - but not to often - but the road is much less crowded so you can easily take the bus up and down the coast road.

My husband & I stayed at Hotel Del Mare in Sorrento and loved it so much that we extended our stay there. It's located at the Marina Grande, which isn't as "posh" as other areas, but very convenient to everything and in the heart of a delightful fishing community, with some fabulous restaurants just a block or so from the hotel. Check www.hoteldelmare.com Be sure to request a room on one of the top 2 floors: You'll have a wonderful view of the Bay of Naples and Mt. Vesuvius. Lower floors look out into the residential area. Rates for October look pretty good. Trains & buses from Sorrento are easy for day-trips to Pompeii/Herculaneum, Positano, etc. We found that the bus ride along the Amalfi Coast was better than driving, since all of our attention could go to the fabulous views. Have wonderful trip!

Hi Kiki - 'Finally, can we visit Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius all in one day?'

Yes - easily

Pompeii is 30 mins by train from Sorrento.

The Vesuvius Bus departs from Pompeii (- Piazza Amfiteatro) at:

08.00 - 09.00* - 09.30 - 10.15 - 10.30 - 11.25 - 12.25 - 13.20 - 14.30 - 15.30*

[Departures leave Pompeii Terminus bus station 5 mins before the above].

The service is year round except -
* 09.00 and 15.30 deps (- 1 April - 30 Sept only)

Fare: € 8.60 round trip. Journey time: 70 mins

Service operator: Vesuviana Mobilita

Here's the link:

http://www.comune.ercolano.na.it/erc...suvio_2006.pdf


Bus tickets can be bought at:

- Circumvesuviana railway station, Pompeii OR
- 'Sgambati' (- station newsagents/tobacconist kiosk)

Entrance fee to the crater: € 6.50

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi, Kiki - we stayed in Sorrento at the end of October and the weather was beautiful - 60's and 70's and sunny. We stayed at the Antiche Mura. It's not on the beach, but at that time of year it doesn't matter. The hotel was fantastic. It's only a block or two from all of the action in the center of town.

Thanks everyone for the advice!