illini1022

Thanks, I'll do some more deal hunting on individual hotel websites if that'll help. Dunno how expedia manages to get some of this stuff this low still

Zerlina

But do you *know* that Expedia is getting you such low prices? You said earlier that it didn't price out the elements...

Venere offers lower prices than hotel Web sites for many hotels. So does www.booking.com. They are both reliable.

illini1022

With Expedia it gives you the overall price for the hotels and flights you pick, but doesn't specifically enumerate what was/wasn't discounted.

The overall price it gives me has been at least $1000 cheaper than pricing out the individual components. Hadn't seen these other sites though. I've got a lot of research to do.

isabel

Since you say this is your first trip to Europe, and budget seems to be a concern, I just want you to know that there are many, perfectly acceptable hotels for way less money than is being talked about there. You need to think about your objective in choosing a hotel. Do you want to feel a little bit of luxury? Do you plan to spend much time in the room or be out sightseeing, dining, etc most of the time? There are many different styles of travel. But there are plenty of clean, safe, well located hotels for 100-150€ or less. They may not have fancy furniture, or room service and only you know if those things are important to you.

I am planning a trip to Rome and the Amalfi coast for this July. I can't recommend these hotels personally as I have not yet stayed in them, but I travel to Europe twice a year and have booked many, many hotels over the last few years and never really been disappointed. I always check for reviews on Trip Advisor. The ones I choose for this trip are: Hotel Julia in Rome, a three star, (www.hoteljulia.it/) a double is 140€ in June (but only 90€ in July when we are going). In Sorrento we booked Ulisse Deluxe (www.ulissedeluxe.com) and a double in June is 70€.

TravMimi

For Sorrento take a look at villaelisasorrento.com It's a wonderful place in the center of town.

robertino

Congratulations!

You know, with 2 weeks at your disposal, you could stay in Rome, Sorrento, and an Amalfi Coast town. I would choose Amalfi over Positano - great cathedral, easy bus connections, very interesting town, less of a challenge walking around (Positano is VERY vertical), fewer silly pricey boutiques. Positano is definitely worth a visit though.

Do not drive. Nowhere to park. Harrowing road and aggressive drivers. The driver of your car will see nothing but the road ahead and the passenger will be living in fear. No fun. You don't want frayed nerves on your honeymoon. Also, keep in mind that the buses are very comfortable.

OK, so several nights in Amalfi - side trips to Positano and Ravello. Come to think of it, Ravello would be a good place to stay for a few days if you just wanted a lovely village with spectacular views but didn't want to do day trips. Be sure to see the gardens of Villa Cimbrone.

From the Amalfi Coast, then move to Sorrento for several nights - side trips to Capri, Pompei, Vesuvius, maybe Naples. Sorrento itself is just fine if not exactly exotic. You can find a great hotel in town with a balcony and a view of Vesuvius and the entire Bay of Naples - how bad could that be?

Then on to Rome. Take the Circumvesuviana to Naples, then switch trains to Rome.

And i will add a comment on deal-hunting - just be very careful that you don't end up at a hotel behind the train station in Rome or someplace way up the hill outside of Sorrento just because it's a deal. This is your honeymoon. Do some research, find some hotels you like that are fairly reasonable and well located, decide. I really enjoy shopping for hotels online but I think I would find all the venere expedia whoever with all the price checking to be exhausting. That's just me though.

Have a great trip!

illini1022

You guys are awesome for all the help. I've taken a lot of things into account, and here is my latest revision. Still appreciate criticism and thoughts!

Airfare
Depart Chicago
Arrive Rome
Depart Rome
Arrive Chicago
Price: $3178.60

Train rome - naples (21 euros)

Private car to Positano (100 euros)

Check in Villa Rosa, Positano, spend 4 nights (740 euros)
www.villarosapositano.it

Ferry from Positano to Sorrento (18 euros)

Check in Casa Astarita, spend 3 nights (330 euros)
http://www.casastarita.com/

Train from sorrento to Naples (8 euros)

Train naples to Rome (21 to 80 euros)

Check in nicolas inn, 7 nights (700 euros)
http://www.nicolasinn.com/en/rooms


Total cost = almost exactly $6000 USD

ellenem

Congratulations! You met your budget!

bobthenavigator

Nice trip---have fun !

dutyfree

Did you check various websites like Kayak and the actual airline websites for cheaper airfare? American has nonstops out of ORD to FCO-don't know if UA does? $3100 for two coach tickets seems really high this far out for airfare.

illini1022

Yep, used kayak and had it check every possibly flight. For nonstops this was the cheapest possible fare I could find. I'll keep looking but not sure there is much else I can do.

Also, some people are yelling at me now saying I shouldn't split my time in Positano and Sorrento and should just make up my mind. So close to being finished, but I'm still not 100%. If I had to pick one, I think I'd pick Positano. Now I'm trying to decide the pros/cons of Positano vs. Positano/Sorrento

ellenem

The main pros I see for including Sorrento in addition to Postiano:
= It's relatively flat.
= A daytrip to Pompeii will be easier.
= The departure to Rome will be easier.

Since it's your honeymoon, definitely include Positano. But I thik switching to Sorrento for a few nights will be to your benefit.

TravelTrio

Okay, let me add my two cents here -- I have done this exact trip before! Rome & Amalfi Coast, 2 weeks in June. I struggled with the same things. But before I get to that, Go ILLINI! Oskee-wow-wow!

First of all, you are getting excellent advice here. There is no better place than Fodor's forum to get the best advice. Like many others, I strongly encourage you to split the time between Positano and Sorrento. I loved both places, and so will you. Positano is very cool, charming, lovely like the photos, etc. but honestly I think it would be a bit boring after a couple of days and it is much harder to get to other places from there than it would be from Sorrento. Sorrento, while some complain that it is "touristy," well, there is a reason for the tourists -- they love it there and I did too! Great restaurants, fun shopping, tons of gelato stands, good outdoor cafes for you to hang out and drink wine with the new hubby (I was also there in June!) and easy access to day trips to Capri (wonderful! Do not miss it! Ferry over, very easy, find a guy with a boat to take you to the blue grotto because you will always wonder if you don't). Also do go to Ravello because it is gorgeous and may be the most beautiful thing you have seen outside of Champaign-Urbana, haha. We had nice weather in early June when we were there and spent a day on the beach at Amalfi, very nice. Pompei and Herculaneum are no-brainers, and easy to access via the Circumsuviana train -- you are there and back to Sorrento for dinner. We also took a bus down to Paestum for the day and loved, loved, loved it.

If there was anything I would change about your trip as it is planned now it would be to steal a day from Rome and add it to the Amalfi Coast. It is really the most beautiful place.

And do use tripadvisor for the hotel reviews before you settle on any hotel. I have found wonderful places for not so much and horrible ones for a fortune. There is no rhyme or reason to Expedia prices, which means you can get lucky or get screwed.

Have a wonderful time and congratulations on your marriage!

greg

I see why the airfare is high even considering the high season. The United direct flights are almost sold out and American direct flight seats are selling well on those days. I doubt neither has any incentives to lower the prices. These are fares are meant to capture the maximum revenue out of people who have to travel at the beginning of the summer vacation season.

Zerlina

You don't *have* to get an expensive transfer from Naples to Positano. If you take the train as far as Salerno and walk a few blocks to the dock at Piazza della Concordia, you can take a boat to Positano. It would be a lot cheaper and have much prettier views.

TravMimi

For me when I travel relaxing turns to boring pretty quickly, and as beautiful as Positano is, it gets "relaxing" pretty quickly for us. I agree with TravelTrio. I love Sorrento. Sure there are tourists there, but that's part of the fun. Sorrento has a great passeggiata (evening stroll) with tourists, and locals alike. The Foreigners' Club is packed with tourists, because the view of the Bay of Naples is spectacular. You are almost sure to see a wedding party in the city garden. The Fauno Bar at Piazza Tasso is the perfect people watching spot. Most tourist don't even walk the two blocks away from the center to see the gourge. Check out villaelisasorrento.com , you might be lucky enough to get a room. If you want to splurge for a night or two, stay at Le Sirenuse in Positano. I think you will have a wonderful time staying in Sorrento.

bardo1

illini,

Your latest fully detailed itinerary is just fine. The 7/4/3 split is perfect. You DO want split it - just as you have done.
Naples/Capri/Pompeii are best reached from Sorrento and Amalfi/Ravello are best reached from Positano.

I think your non-stops from CHI are the way to go as well - and not likely to get cheaper. IMHO, non-stops are "priceless". We recently spent 10 days in Naples and the Amalfi coast (had been to Rome previously) and simply flew in and out of Rome. We saved a ton of money doing so.

This trip is closer than you think. I would book your flights now and immediately follow with booking hotels (all of Bob's recs are great - as usual). You may find that some hotels are already booked for this June.

bardo1

I also wanted to give you some other hotels in Rome. All in the historic center and an easy walk to anywhere:

http://www.solealbiscione.it/

http://www.hotelarenula.com/homepage.html

Hotel in Parione tel. 06-6880-2560, fax 06-689-2330 (no website)

Weadles

I think you should take two days away from Rome and try to overnight at a B&B in Capri. The island is worth a visit, especially during your honeymoon ( it's a romantic place!) and by staying there, you'll avoid the throngs of day trippers who arrive each morning.

You can boat to Capri from either Positano or Sorrento, although Sorrento has more reliable service.

Have a wonderful time!

hamptons

Hi.

Has anyone mentioned that Sorrento is not on the Amalfi Coast? While it has its charms it is a little city and affords little of the beauty, romance and enchantment of Positano or other towns on "The Amafi Coast".

Access to the archeological sites is too easy either via bus and train or ferry (www.metrodelmare.com) from Positano.

Accommodation runs from Holiday Houses, B&B's to Hotels of all stars. My suggestion since this is your honeymoon trip would be The Casa Albertina , the 60 odd steps shouldn't be a problem or rent an apt. for a week or less.

I used Francesco Carpegna at "Walking With The Gods" to set up my itinerary on the Amalfi Coast and he was fabulous and reasonable and informed.