Rome and South itinerary help, please
Jan 29th, 2008, 09:55 PM
#21
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P.S. Were you planning on travelling Rome-Matera on the day you arrive??
That might not be ideal - it's a 6+ hrs journey ...
Wouldn't it work better if you went Rome-Naples and spent your 1/2 nights there first - then on to Matera from there?
Is there a particular reason for leaving Naples till last?
Steve
That might not be ideal - it's a 6+ hrs journey ...
Wouldn't it work better if you went Rome-Naples and spent your 1/2 nights there first - then on to Matera from there?
Is there a particular reason for leaving Naples till last?
Steve
Jan 30th, 2008, 07:34 AM
#22
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Since you are planning on going to Paestum (a fantastic place), you might want to consider this great B&B.
http://www.casale-giancesare.it/
The place is beautiful and if you are lucky enough, she will also make dinner. Enzo and his wife are great and the price is reasonable.
Tell them Regina and Dave sent you.
dave
http://www.casale-giancesare.it/
The place is beautiful and if you are lucky enough, she will also make dinner. Enzo and his wife are great and the price is reasonable.
Tell them Regina and Dave sent you.
dave
Jan 30th, 2008, 08:54 AM
#23
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Steve
Oh, I am so blind: I missed your earlier posting of the time table. I apologize.
Why I'm saving Naples for last: we have a flight out of Rome at the crack of dawn to come home, on May 15.
It seemed to me that we could get to Rome rather late the night before the flight, May 14, if we were coming from Naples. We would get to Naples on the afternoon of the 13th; have dinner, walk around, see the museums the next day, and take a late train to Termini, then to FCO.
Right now, I am committed to these nights:
Rome: May 2, 3, 4, 5
Capri: May 10, 11, 12
I can't figure out any other way to get the early ferries to Capri from Salerno without spending the night nearby.
We could leave from Naples to go to Capri, but that doesn't really give us enough time for Naples and Matera.
Oh, my head is swimming.
I keep coming back to Salerno because my husband wants to see Paestum, and so do I.
Oh, I am so blind: I missed your earlier posting of the time table. I apologize.
Why I'm saving Naples for last: we have a flight out of Rome at the crack of dawn to come home, on May 15.
It seemed to me that we could get to Rome rather late the night before the flight, May 14, if we were coming from Naples. We would get to Naples on the afternoon of the 13th; have dinner, walk around, see the museums the next day, and take a late train to Termini, then to FCO.
Right now, I am committed to these nights:
Rome: May 2, 3, 4, 5
Capri: May 10, 11, 12
I can't figure out any other way to get the early ferries to Capri from Salerno without spending the night nearby.
We could leave from Naples to go to Capri, but that doesn't really give us enough time for Naples and Matera.
Oh, my head is swimming.
I keep coming back to Salerno because my husband wants to see Paestum, and so do I.
Jan 31st, 2008, 05:31 AM
#26
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Tuscan - So ... it's 3 nights Matera, then one night near Paestum/Salerno, is that right?
Looks OK to me if you don't mind doing Rome-Matera in one stretch.
Are you still planning to have a car at some point, or are you now using public transport to Matera?
Steve
P.S. To answer Dave's point, the railway station at Paestum is 15-20 mins walk from the temples.
Looks OK to me if you don't mind doing Rome-Matera in one stretch.
Are you still planning to have a car at some point, or are you now using public transport to Matera?
Steve
P.S. To answer Dave's point, the railway station at Paestum is 15-20 mins walk from the temples.
Feb 3rd, 2008, 06:01 PM
#27
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Steve: we are going to have a car and I think we will drive straight from Rome to Matera. It is a long drive but after a nice stay in Rome, I think we will be up for it. My husband likes to drive, and he likes to drive in Italy.
As I said earlier (I think) our last two trips to Europe, both in 2007, were each city stays of a week. This time, we want to move around and have a different experience.
Here is the itinerary as it now stands:
May 1... leave home
May 2…arrive Rome
May 3
May 4
May 5
May 6 : Drive to Matera
May 7 …. Matera
May 8 Matera
May 9 Drive to Paestum then Salerno. Must spend night in Salerno to catch early ferry to Capri
May 10…Capri
May 11…Capri
May 12…Capri
May 13… Ferry to Naples in the morning. Stay Naples
May 14… Naples. Take evening train to Rome Get a room @ airport
May 15 fly all day home
As I said earlier (I think) our last two trips to Europe, both in 2007, were each city stays of a week. This time, we want to move around and have a different experience.
Here is the itinerary as it now stands:
May 1... leave home
May 2…arrive Rome
May 3
May 4
May 5
May 6 : Drive to Matera
May 7 …. Matera
May 8 Matera
May 9 Drive to Paestum then Salerno. Must spend night in Salerno to catch early ferry to Capri
May 10…Capri
May 11…Capri
May 12…Capri
May 13… Ferry to Naples in the morning. Stay Naples
May 14… Naples. Take evening train to Rome Get a room @ airport
May 15 fly all day home
Feb 3rd, 2008, 07:48 PM
#28
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"Must spend night in Salerno to catch early ferry to Capri"
I think Salerno may pleasantly surprise you ;-) it's certainly not a bad place to spend an evening...lots of restaurants, cafe, and a really lively evening passeggiata.
Have a great trip!
I think Salerno may pleasantly surprise you ;-) it's certainly not a bad place to spend an evening...lots of restaurants, cafe, and a really lively evening passeggiata.
Have a great trip!
Feb 3rd, 2008, 07:52 PM
#29
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Casa: thanks! As I've been reading about Salerno, I have become intrigued.
Our plan is to drive from Matera to Paestum, in the morning. Hopefully, lunch before seeing the ruins. We will stop at the war cemetary after that, then turn our car in, in Salerno. We will have a nice evening there, I think.
Our plan is to drive from Matera to Paestum, in the morning. Hopefully, lunch before seeing the ruins. We will stop at the war cemetary after that, then turn our car in, in Salerno. We will have a nice evening there, I think.
Feb 11th, 2008, 08:10 AM
#31
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Ravello is worth the stay. It is hte least touristy and most friendly.
Capri is better for a day trip. Too touristy and expensive.
Although hotels may be a bit expensive in Ravello (try the Giordano, Villa Maria or Parisfal for better prices and very good service!), dining options are excellent and very reasonable, even with the dollar-euro exchange rate.
You will not be disappointed with Ravello. There are also concerts at Hotel Rufolo almost every night and these too are inexpensive (20 euro).
Ravello offers far more local color, no tour boats like Capri, etc.
I will be in Ravello May 2-7 and am returning to the Villa Maria.
Please feel free to aak any questions.
Capri is better for a day trip. Too touristy and expensive.
Although hotels may be a bit expensive in Ravello (try the Giordano, Villa Maria or Parisfal for better prices and very good service!), dining options are excellent and very reasonable, even with the dollar-euro exchange rate.
You will not be disappointed with Ravello. There are also concerts at Hotel Rufolo almost every night and these too are inexpensive (20 euro).
Ravello offers far more local color, no tour boats like Capri, etc.
I will be in Ravello May 2-7 and am returning to the Villa Maria.
Please feel free to aak any questions.
Feb 12th, 2008, 12:18 PM
#32
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mweiner: we have already committed to Capri, but thank you for the information.
I did research all the Ravello hotels mentioned. Prices in general were high, and ratings were kind of all over the place.
We are hoping that Capri will not be overrun with tourists if we stay out of the central piazza of Capri town... or, I could be indulging in wishful thinking. We are very interested in hiking and visiting the more historic sites on the island. Anyway, Capri it is.
I did research all the Ravello hotels mentioned. Prices in general were high, and ratings were kind of all over the place.
We are hoping that Capri will not be overrun with tourists if we stay out of the central piazza of Capri town... or, I could be indulging in wishful thinking. We are very interested in hiking and visiting the more historic sites on the island. Anyway, Capri it is.
Feb 12th, 2008, 02:09 PM
#33
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I would definitely drive to Matera - it is kind of in the middle of nowhere. Do trains even go there?
If you have not read Christ Stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi, I would highly recommend it before you get to Matera. There is a museum devoted to him in Matera. I am sure you will love it there.
If you have not read Christ Stopped at Eboli by Carlo Levi, I would highly recommend it before you get to Matera. There is a museum devoted to him in Matera. I am sure you will love it there.
Feb 13th, 2008, 06:08 AM
#34
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I too tend to think driving in Basilicata is the best way to see things...however, yes, you can get there by train and bus 
You can find all kinds of info. on the official tourist site:
http://www.aptbasilicata.it/Home-Pag...7573ab0.0.html
(I believe the public transportation options are under "Hospitality - How Reaching" )
You can find all kinds of info. on the official tourist site:http://www.aptbasilicata.it/Home-Pag...7573ab0.0.html
(I believe the public transportation options are under "Hospitality - How Reaching"
)
Mar 20th, 2008, 10:19 AM
#36
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Hi Steve:
We have not stayed at Arco del Lauro, but I had several reasons for choosing it.
1. My US dollars don't go as far as they used to in Rome, and our central hotels from past visits are now very expensive in general, and more expensive for those spending dollars. So no Portoghesi or Due Torri for me.
2. It certainly seems like a good option for 125 euro in May. There is air conditioning, and I like the idea of a coffee/tea and fridge available all the time. I take Sleepy Time tea bags with me, so...
3. I like the looks of the modern decor.
4. My husband wanted to stay in Trastevere. We never have and he enjoyed our brief visits there.
5. In general, reviews are good.
So that's why we picked the Arco del Lauro. They have been prompt in responding to all our emails. I hope this helps.
We have not stayed at Arco del Lauro, but I had several reasons for choosing it.
1. My US dollars don't go as far as they used to in Rome, and our central hotels from past visits are now very expensive in general, and more expensive for those spending dollars. So no Portoghesi or Due Torri for me.
2. It certainly seems like a good option for 125 euro in May. There is air conditioning, and I like the idea of a coffee/tea and fridge available all the time. I take Sleepy Time tea bags with me, so...
3. I like the looks of the modern decor.
4. My husband wanted to stay in Trastevere. We never have and he enjoyed our brief visits there.
5. In general, reviews are good.
So that's why we picked the Arco del Lauro. They have been prompt in responding to all our emails. I hope this helps.
Mar 20th, 2008, 10:21 AM
#37
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Palatino
I have read Christ Stopped at Eboli, long ago. I have currently be doing a lot of reading on the area, and digging in to family background. It has been rewarding and informative.
I have read Christ Stopped at Eboli, long ago. I have currently be doing a lot of reading on the area, and digging in to family background. It has been rewarding and informative.
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