Last yr in April my wife and I spent 9 nights in Italy (3 in Florence, 3 in Rome and 3 in countryside) This yr in May we're going back for our 25th ann. We have 2 weeks for Lake Como, C.T., Rome and Sorrento. We would also like to stay in countryside for a couple of nights, if possible. I know this sounds like a lot but we want to make the most of our 2 weeks there. Ques is, (1) do you think we may have problems getting hotels during May in these cities on such late notice? (2) Should we cut down on places we're wanting to go and stay longer in the other cities? We've never been to these cities, other than Rome, so we would like to see all if we can.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15856 posts
Rome shouldn't be a problem but you're really late in the game for the CT: accommodations there book up months in advance of high season (and high season gets a little longer every year there). If you can't find anything in any of the CT's five villages - or anything which suits your budget and preferences - try Levanto. It's the next town north of Monterosso but doesn't take long at all by train. I'm a little concerned about Sorrento as well; not that everything is completely booked but the best-value spots may be. I've only day-tripped to the Como area so can't weigh in on that one.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Except for Cinque Terre, you should be able to find lodging everywhere. Look at booking.com to save time, filter by what you want and lots of choices will pop up. Use the map to locate the hotels. Read reviews by former guests, who may give helpful information about stairs, distance from sights, etc. Then use google street view.
If the popular towns around Lago di Como are booked, Como itself usually has a lot of choices, with excellent ferry and bus connections as well as a train station.
For the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is popular but it's not on the Amalfi Coast. Take some Ike to go to Ravello (local bus from Amalfi).
Posted by
Grass Valley, California
506 posts
We will be in Italy for two weeks in May also. I booked reservations in late January for two rooms, four people and it was a bit of a struggle to get what I wanted. I had never used Bookings.com but had to do that for Orvieto and Florence. Everything that Rick Steve's had suggested was booked. And a lot of hotels had gone up in price so much they were more than we wanted to spend. We think at this point the whole world is going to be in Italy this May! Just kidding! But with the low Euro it feels like it will be more crowded than we have seen in years around Europe. I would get on it right away. One of the hotels in Cinque Terre referred me to a local website for all the hotels in the area almost like a visitors center. I signed up with them and then got all kinds of offers. In the end one of Rick Steve's suggestions in Monterrosso panned out for us. When a hotel writes back and says they are full you can ask them if they have any suggestions. They are almost always wonderful about helping you out. I found that booking.com was great and I have even been sent info from them if anything changes in the towns we are staying in.
Posted by
Spokane, WA, USA
191 posts
If you have trouble finding a place to stay in CT, try The Bay of Poets. It is just south of CT, equally beautiful (I have heard) and far less crowded, because it has not been discovered by RIck Steves yet! You could still take trains or ferry for day trips up to the CT, but there is lots to see and do right there. It is also known as the Gulf of la Spezia. My family has decided to tour this area instead of CT for a cruise ship excursion this summer. Can't wait!
Posted by
134 posts
If you want to do something special, go to Saturnia in Tuscany.
https://it.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A9mSs2gfmRBV6AcAAxsbDQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTB1MHRuOThoBHNlYwNzYwRjb2xvA2lyMgR2dGlkA1VJSVRDMDFfMQ--?_adv_prop=image&fr=moz35&va=Saturnia
I
If you are going to Sorento, try to do the Amalfi Coast, Ischia, Capri, Ercolano, Pompei
I would go to Cinque Terre when you decide to visit either the Genoa region, liguria, the Riviera or Northern Tuscany.d
I would not go to Cinque Terre in March or April, too cold for me.
I prefer Lago Maggiore to Lake Como, why are you alll going there?
Another Lake I like is Lake Lugano (Swiss and Italian Side), Easy connections with Milano.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
Where are you flying into and out of?
If you want to see any of Tuscany and the CT, think about Lucca. Some day trips from here
Montecatini, And CT.
If Tuscany is what you'd like, then you might have to drop the CT.
Posted by
Truro, NS, Canada
3941 posts
Try arbaspaa.com for CT accoms. They book everything from rooms to B&B's to hotels. And areas all around the CT as well. And they also book hikes and tours and scenic boats rides and flights if you are so inclined. We used them for our 2 stays in Corniglia. You tell them how many people, preferred abode and budget and they will tell you what is available.