Novice to Italy - advice please!

[geminisnake]

Other than that, basing yourself in Sorrento or Positano you can have a day trip to Capri, a day trip to Pompeii, visit Herculaneum, visit Mt. Vesuvius. Just don't try and do Herculaneum and Pompeii in the same day like we did. No car needed.

That's what I would do(and did) and will do again.
We flew into Rome then trained down to Sorrento(get off and change at Napoli)
The regional transport system is ace imo. You get tickets for 1hr for 1 euro, then 2hrs for just over 2 euro. They cover you for trains and buses.

You really shouldn't need much italian in the Sorrento area. We certainly didn't. If you can say please and thank you and basic pleasanteries you should be ok. Most folk did seem to appreciate you making an effort right enough.

I want to go back and actually spend a couple of days in Rome. Must be the only person who has been to Rome and taken one photo and it was of a lizard Think we(me & daughter) spent more time in the shops at the train station than anything else

If you do stay in Rome try and find out what your breakfast is going to be before you book. We would have been better off just going to the bakery(loads of them) than the breakfast we got.
The hotel in Sorrento was loads better brekkie wise. Tbh overall it was loads better.

Transport is slightly dearer on Capri. We didn't do a guided tour but I think if you wanted to see a lot of the island in one day it might be a good idea.

Tbh I found after a few hours of Pompeii I was bored. There's only so much ruins I can look at.

I wouldn't even think about driving in the south. I thought it was a bit mental but I suppose it depends on what you're used to. I'm not used to a) the wrong side of the road, b) the way they drive , c) the way buses HAVE to take up the whole bend to get round.

May, you should google earth it. Check out where the train can take you and look at the route. I wouldn't stay in Napoli but I never have liked there for some reason.

Oh, if you want to go looking at churches make sure you are covering your shoulders, eg if you're wearing a strappy top have a cardi or shawl, and try to wear knee length skirts/shorts.

We found the south to be very welcoming and friendly (apart from the blonde in Sorrento TI) but seeing as that's her job!!

 

[maximilian ping]

i reckon Amalfi coast is a winner. Best bit of it is drive along coast, best town is Ravello in the hills - beauty. Sorento and Capri nice but v touristy, the former full of English and the latter of St Tropez types

I also reckon Umbria/Tuscany borders is beautiful. Spoleto and Panicale both incredibly lovely hill towns. Great area to do the agrotourismo stuff.

The toe bit of Italy is supposed to be amazing - Mr D Version is an expert on that (if he still posts here)

Travelling around Sicily is great by old style train, Taormina has best restaurant i've been to ever

 

[Dillinger4]

I dont suppose you will get this in time, but tonight is the Open University Italian night.

 

[quimcunx]

Genova's a good call. Fewer tourists, proper working port, and then you have the coast nearby as you say. You might be twiddling your thumbs a bit by the end of a week though ..

don't get a hotel near the train station like we did. As with many cities, wasn't the nicest area. Does have a fabulous funicular railway that is long enough to have several commuter stops. I was a bit scared.

 

[lobster]

anyone been to Ancona and can recommend it?

 

[zoltan]

anyone been to Ancona and can recommend it?

Its shit ( IMHO based on 4 hours hanging around the place)

unless you are doing a ferry or a Ryanair flight

I do seem to remember that there is an open air Cinema - which is probabaly fantastic. Cept it was raining when i was there