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Resort hotel recommendations to add to this trip?

Posted by (Bay Area, CA , usa) on

In mid-August through early September we are planning a trip that is shaping up like this:

Fly SFO-Rome. Rome 2 nights (we have been to Rome twice before) Rome-Positano for 4 nights (or other beautiful, relaxing, scenic town easy to access by train from Rome) then fly or train to Bolzano for 2 nights. (I did see one 6.5 hour straight train from Salerno to Bolzano Then train to Kastelruth or Ortisei for 2 nights. We are not avid hikers. More like eager pleasure walkers, so I do think four nights in the area in general will suffice for us. Then train back to Rome to board ship for 7 night cruise that has stops in Salerno, Olympia, Santorini and Kusadasi before returning to Rome. (or more accurately Civitavecchia) for one night airport hotel stay for flight home.

It would be nice to find a replacement for Positano due to the very expensive hotel rates (600 plus a night!) and it seems a tad difficult to reach from Rome and it is so far from Bolzano and the Dolomites, which is our number one desired place to stay, plus we do have it as a port day. We actually have been to the Amalfi region twice before on cruises, and we have seen Pompeii and the town of Amalfi.

We are lucky enough to have been to Italy a few times, so we have been to Varenna in Como, Vernazza in Cinque Terre, Siena, Florence, Orvieto, Venice and Rome. We are not comfortable driving in Italy. We do not have the skills! LOL. So easy access by train would be preferable. We will spend up to 600 euro a night for a super special place that's unforgettable, but we are more
comfortable generally in the 250-450 euro per night range. Our cruise is September 1-8, but we can do the other stops on either end of the trip or have the cruise split it up.
I am super hopeful for any recommendations or thoughts!!
Thanks! Shelley

Posted by
6883 posts

I can't imagine what one would do in Positano for four nights. I felt we had covered it in half a day. It's mostly high-end shops that are located in every popular tourist city. In addition, transportation from Positano is very difficult, due to the heavy traffic congestion, and lack of any fast and efficient options. Ferries can be canceled due to poor weather, and then folks are stranded. The Positano ferry dock is small, and when we visited, had been damaged by storms.
If you've already been in the AC before, I'm not sure you need to go to Positano. Perhaps you'd enjoy Salerno, as it's not as mobbed as the rest of the AC, and it offers good train connections.
We were in the AC in May, a few years ago, and I was disappointed by the shoulder-shoulder crowds. The spring and fall are no longer "soft" seasons.
I also enjoyed your "eager pleasure walkers" description.
Have a great trip. Safe travels!

Posted by
98 posts

Thank you! That really helps me. I am not much of a shopper at all, and I was concerned about the travel hassle. I will research Salerno! Since it seems to have that same vibe. I was considering Lucca as we have not been, or a resort near Lake Garda if that is accessible by train, or Santa Marguerita Liguri. Would LOVE to go to the Pugia region but that seems not easily accessible by train. And the “eager” description is pretty right on! Lol.

Posted by
1156 posts

Agree with Pat’s description of Positano. I loved Lucca! Lovely old city, the park atop the city walls, good restaurants and some interesting palazzos outside the city. Had also thought about the Lakes, haven’t been there myself. One advantage with Lucca or the Lakes is that you will be doing less traveling to get to Bolzano area. When in Salerno, whether you stay there or just the cruise stop, do take a trip to Paestum - the ancient Greek city with three really impressive temples. There is also a water buffalo farm near Paestum - interesting to see how well cared for the animals are and to sample the amazing cheeses made there, Rick covers them in his Italy guide.

Posted by
1287 posts

For a resort-style accommodation, take a look at Maratea. I've seen articles that reefer to the area as the 'undiscovered alternative to the Amalfi Coast." I don't think I'd ever return to the AC, but we've been a few times to Maratea and I'd go back in a heartbeat.

You can reach Maratea from Rome on a direct train.
For hotels, you have to decide if you want to be in the town--elevated above the coast--or along the long strip of coast where there are several clusters of hotels, many with beach and pool. Some of the finest swimming I've enjoyed in Italy has been from the beach there...

https://www.travelandleisure.com/maratea-italy-town-8709454

Posted by
98 posts

Maratea sounds like EXACTLY what I was looking for! And it's an easy train ride. I'm off to explore this option!

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