king_roscoe

Sounds like you bought a holiday at E400 a nite...... more than my weeks budget.

Girlspytravel

Sounds like a great trip, Annej-and I'm one of those who always recommends using Sorrento as a base-it's got some breathtaking views, great waterside as well as cliffside restaurants, and just taking an evening passegiata around the city center to see those breathtaking views-it's convenient to everything. I don't really prefer Positano except for a day trip-I can't take those steps.

elena50

Hi Annej- I too just returned from 6 days in Rome to visit my son who is going to school there. I researched a lot of info on this site while planning. I'm adding a couple of my "good finds" hoping that someone else may find my information helpful when planning their trip.

There were 4 of us (my parents in their 80s so I had to keep things easy and simple). I booked an apartment from RomeAcom which was much cheaper than a hotel, if you want to stay in Rome Central. They also offer car service to and from airport for a flat rate, which we chose to do and found it very helpful. They also offer car services and tours while in Italy but we did not use those services. Their information was very detailed and pictures of the apartment were true to life, which is something to watch out for in Rome. I was not disappointed.

We booked a one day trip from Rome to Amalfi coast and also book Tour of Italy. Giovanni was great and his personality and neopolitan songs added to the day. He recommended a great family run restaurant (Ristorante Panoramica) which served great home made food, wine, dessert and topping it off with Limoncello for about E20,. not sure though which town exactly on the coast it was unfortunately. We had a great time.

I've been to Italy 6 times. This was my second trip to Rome and I still plan all my trips there carefully. I would recommend people take their time to research when planning their itineraries and would highly recommend adding these 2 sites to view when planning their trip.

msbeavers

We just returned home from a 2 week trip to Italy for the first time as well and I loved Amalfi the best followed by Florence. Rome is my least favorite.....just too dirty ( the Graffitti is a disgrace) and the people are not as friendly as Amalfi and Florence.
I loved the day trip to Capri and would not have missed this for the world!
I agree that Giovonni does a great job as we used him , too.

sandi_travelnut

I think everyone should just get over the fact that Rome is old and used and there will be graffiti and dirt in some places. Surely you cannot expect some pristine city given all those factors.

Dayle

It's always interesting to me too when people come back from Rome with the major impression of graffiti. Have they never been to LA, NY, Chicago?

I visited twice (so far) and I honestly don't remember seeing graffiti except in certain situations, like coming in on the Leonardo Express and out in the EUR neighborhood where we stayed our first visit.

I don't remember seeing graffiti in the Centro Storico, I guess I'm too busy enjoying everything else!

Everyone had different favorite cities - mine is difinitely Roma!

mike_b12

I loved Rome. I also love San Francisco, even if parts of it is dirty and has a Major homeless problem. Despite that I still enjoy visiting these cities.

pkdof

I'm feeling more confident about Giovanni now, as I have booked him to take us from Rome to Sorrento, stopping in Pompeii, next June.

msbeavers

PKDOF.... you will be glad you selected him and this approach. We did a pompeii stop with Giovonni on the way back to Naples train station. It is a great site...but hot in Oct so be prepared for June HEAT! ( and I am from Texas so I know HOT)

Enjoy!

cotonmom

My husband and I also highly recommend using Tour of Italy at TourofItaly.com rather than driving from Roma to Positano and back. Giancarlo picked us up on time, was very knowledgeable and courteous. Only those born to Italy and the Coast can drive those roads, carry on a conversation, and have their guests feel comfortable as a bus is apparently driving you off a cliff. Giancarlo pointed out several great photo ops and took us to Pompeii where we spent several hours, before he picked us up again and continued on to Positano. At the end of our stay he was there waiting for us, to complete our circuit back to Roma. Thank you Giancarlo for the stress-free vacation! We also found him throough Fodors.com so thank you everyone for posting