Trying to find affordable air and hotel for a long weekend (Wed-Sun) in May, to attend an event in Sorrento, Italy (from the DC area).

PLEASE tell me your best airfare/hotel tips. Any good websites or travel agents that have reasonably priced packages will be appreciated.

HI T,

See www.kayak.com and www.mobissimo.com for airfare.

Not sure about your budget, but we thought Hotel Settimo Cielo (www.hotelsettimocielo.com) was great value. It is in a good location, 7 or 8 minutes from the centre of town on the "Capo". If you go, reserve a room with a terrace, the views are spectacular. The hotel also has AC, a pool (also with an amazing view) and the price of 150 euros (in August) included breakfast.

If you're looking for a bargain hotel--a little shabby but great views according to Trip Advisor--Lorelay Landes. Won't answer e-mails until March 1, however. Reading the Trip Advisor reviews makes you ponder where to find the balance between charm and over-the-hill. (Rick Steves recommended it they say)

Last May I stayed at Hotel Nice after much research for a relatively inexpensive hotel. The room was very satisfactory and 3-4 blocks from city center. You'll pass many shops along the way. I recall the room was 95E at that time. Everything else we looked at was so much more expensive. No view but a couple of blocks from the train should you need it.

Two years ago we stayed at Il Nido - about an easy 5+ minute bus trip from Sorrento. (It's less of a pain than you would think.) Cost was about 80 euros a night & included breakfast. Very clean with simple rooms of modest size. Plus, lovely views of the bay and lemon trees.

Il Nido is up on the hill above Sorrento but with free shuttle service.
www.ilnido.it

We loved the location of Hotel Villa di Sorrento, just of Piazza Tasso. It is convenient for train and bus travel. I believe the upper floors have water views. We flew Air Canada from BWI. It had the best price but it wouldn't be practical for a short trip as you fly through Toronto. Good luck finding affordable tickets, I thought flying to Rome from MD to be expensive in general. You will probably get better rates out of Dulles or National. We really enjoyed our visit to Sorrento in November, it has to be even better in May Deborah

For airfare, try flying into Naples on www.bt-store.com or www.1800flyeurope.com

Those are the sites where I found the best deals unless you are a student (student universe).

Hope that helps some, deals for May seem pretty hard to come by lately, I think last month was the best for buying cheaper tickets to Italy.

Good luck!

By the way, we are staying at the Hotel del Mare in May near the port in Sorrento (www.hoteldelmare.net). They have rooms from 80E-120E. Has gotten good reviews and looks quite nice.