happy2travel

I have an opportunity to spend 3 nights in one of these cities at the beginning of June. I truly do not know which one to choose. These are the cities: Lisbon, Bilbao, Brussels, Venice, Milan, or Naples.

I have been to Venice and adored it. My first thought was to return to Venice but my husband thought that it might be nice to go to another city since we were just in Venice last April. However, he said that he would leave the final decision up to me. What a gentleman!

My next thought is possibly flying into Naples and staying in Sorrento, Positano, or Capri. What do you think? If this is a good idea, which one of these 3 towns would you select for the beginning of June?

Also, if anyone feels that one of the other cities would be a better choice, please share your opinion.

Thanks to anyone who's willing to share their opinion and advice.

Howard

Perhaps you could send me on a scouting mission, and I could report back to you with new fresh hand accounts of the options????? But short of that, I would recommend Lisbon - in a very close call over Sorrento. All of the places you mention have merit, but I think that Lisbon and the Sorrento area are more atmospheric. I think that Milan, Naples, and Brussels, "big city" comes first, then their individual characteristics - if you know what I mean. I am probably suggesting Lisbon because I know that you ahve been to Italy before - and this (perhps) will be a new country for you. Three days is enough to get a feel for the highlights of Lisbon. I would suggest 2 days in the city and 1 day for an easy day trip to Sintra, the summer home of Portguese kings.

DK

I'd do the Sorrento/Amalfi/Capri area - but skip Naples itself. We flew late into Naples, stayed a night, and took a train down to Sorrento and stayed there for 2 nights, using it as a base to see the Amalfi Coast and Capri - very doable in 3 days! Sorry, can't comment on the other cities... Have fun!!

Cicerone

Do you want to be on the coast or inland? Do you want to shop, visit museums or see the countryside? Do you want to relax or be an active sightseer? You have to decide this first. If you really like modern art, go to Bilbao and the Guggenheim. If you want to shop for fashion-forward clothes and also get a dose of culture, go to Milan. If you want history and architecture, go to Lisbon. If you want stunning coastal vistas a bit of history (Pompeii) and some relaxation, fly to Naples and then go down the Amalfi coast and stay in Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi or Ravello, or go to Capri.
If temperature and rainfall is an issue for you, go to worldclimate.com for historical temps and rainfall for each place.
I would put Brussels at the bottom of the list.

RufusTFirefly

I would visit the Amalfi Coast as you haven't been before; it is gorgeous and there is a lot to do and see. My second choice would be Venice--I'll return to Venice any chance I get.

HowardR

The other Howard votes for the Amalfi coast. And, make sure you include a visit to nearby Pompeii. The weather should be great in the area in June.

happy2travel

Thanks to everyione for your helpful replies. I have been to Pompeii and, briefly, to Naples. I like modern art to a point but it would not be the reason for me to select a location. However, the next time I visit northern Spain I would like to see the Guggenheim.

It seems like the Amalfi Coast wins the majority vote on this thread. I suppose that the beginning of June will be a good time to enjoy the coast. I will have to look into that. So, the questions is Sorrento, Positano, Ravello, or Capri? What do you think? Any personal favorites?

The only reason I would not do the Amalfi Coast is the cost of accommodations at that time of year. June is high season and the rates for nice accommodations with a view are in the $300-400 range -low end. It goes up from there.

If Amalfi does not work out my next choice will probably be Lisbon since I have never been to Portugal. Cicerone asked what I am interested in. I am interested in EVERYTHING! I really am open to anything.

Thanks again for your help. Again, if you have any more specific recommendations for the Amalfi Coast, I would love to read about them.

RAR

Having only been to the latter 3, and being ignorant of the first 2, I would pick Napoli

Eric

Of the cities you mention, I have been to Venice, Naples and Brussels. I would not return to Naples, though the neighboring areas are nice.

I love Venice, but I would not go in June. I have been several times, and it gets progresssively more crowded each time. The last time we were there, which was in June, it was so crowded that we vowed not to return unless we did so in the Winter.

I would choose Brussels. I was surprised at how much fun Brussels was. There were fewer "sights" there than most places we visit, but the town was an absolute blast. The nightlife was great, and the energy and enthusiasm in the city were contagious.

If you have not been there, you should try it.

Weadles

Happytravel,

I don't think you can go wrong choosing either Sorrento or Positano as a base. Two summers ago, we stayed at the Poseidon in Positano, which I have enthusiastically posted about many times, but it would be out of your price range. Two hotels in Positano that have received favorable reports on the forum are: Villa Franca and Cove Sarceni (spelling?), which I think are cheaper. Positano is dramatically beautiful, has a small pebbly beach ( not that great for swimming, but OK) interesting shops, and good to great restaurants. We loved it there!

If all goes well with the world, (??) we'll be in Sorrento this summer with our kids. I've booked the Hotel Tramontano at $265/night for a seaview room with balcony. I know that Sorrento offers a much larger price range of accomodations than Positano, and if you do a search for it on the forum, you should find lots of info.

From either place, you'll find it easy to daytrip to the other Amalfi Coast towns, Capri, and Pompeii, although service to Capri runs more often from the harbor in Sorrento, and isn't subject to rough water conditions.

Have a great time!

cmt

I would definitely choose Lisbon. It's one of the few destinations I might consider visiting if I could visit Europe for only 3 days.

Your other options: You said want to see something new instead of re-visiting beautiful Venice. I haven't given much thought to visiting Brussels or Bilbao, though I COULD get excited about Bilbao, and I've heard many people like Brussels. I don't really enjoy Milan myself. I don't think there are direct flights from the US to Naples, so I'd want more than 3 days in order to recover from jet lag and still have time to enjoy the Amalfi coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum, etc. I'd also be too frustrated if I couldn't spend more than 3 days in Italy.

Lisbon, on the other hand, can be reached by direct flight from the US, and the flight is shorter than flights to Italy. That's one small factor in its favor as a destination for a VERY short trip. I was in Lisbon for a very short stay (about 3 nights, I think) more than 30 years ago and found it very appealing. It didn't feel like a huge modern city. Everything about it, even the quality of the light and the strong wind and the fresh sea smell, helped me to sense the importance of the sea in the history of this city and country. It was possible to get a very quick superficial taste of the city's attractions in a short time, and was even possible to take some day trips in the very short time I was there.