Apartments in Sorrento

I'll answer the easy one. If the listing doesn't specify a dryer, there isn't one (dryers are not nearly as common in Europe as in the US). If there's a washer but not dryer, there will be a drying rack; you spread your clothes out on it for a day or two (outside if the weather allows, since that's much faster).

Many apartments in Sorrento have visible clothes racks on their balconies (note that I'm referring to tiresome 60's reinforced concrete public housing, not Hedge Fund custom villas!) Check on air conditioning, view, and breezes while you're at it. I wouldn't trust my vacation to a internet entrepreneur, but I don't have personal experience with that particular Kool-Aid.

We recently rented an apartment (VRBO) in Orvieto and received our security deposit back in less than 2 weeks. Ask lots of questions before you commit.

Thanks for the responses. I heard back from one of the property owners through airbnb and they indicated that the security deposit is handled by airbnb.....the company holds onto your credit card info. for 48 hours after the "guests" depart in case the homeowner needs to put in a claim. Seems to make sense. The homeowner also indicated that there was a clothes line available for drying clothes....note to self.....be sure I bring only my nice underthings!!!

Happy planning!

I have not used Airbnb in Italy but used it in other places. I did not like the fact that you have to pay so far in advance in some situations. And, a lot of owners do not seem to like it if you are just shopping around, which most good consumers do ;-). They have to "accept you" also. That creeped me out a bit because some of them did not accept me because I was not the right age or lifestyle. Whatever. Be sure to check each owner's "terms" as they are different. My experience with these places is varied but the more negative ones were where the owners were around too much. I want to be left alone on Vacation. I have had many excellent experiences with Homeaway and VBRO. Never a bad experience with those sites.

Thanks Lisa.....I found it odd that most of the VRBO properties I looked at had no reviews.....any idea why that would be? I just feel better when there are several travelers who provide feedback on a location....especially when they are given the opportunity to write the "good" and "bad" about the place.....like booking.com.

Beth...that is weird about VBRO properties not having reviews. The ones I have rented did have very good reviews but maybe I read those reviews for those properties on Trip Advisor. A lot of VBRO and Homeaway are cross-listed on Trip Advisor or Flip Key. I have had such wonderful experiences with any place I rented from Trip Advisor, Flip Key, VBRO and Homeaway. I had some negative experiences from AirBnB...including two situations where I had a death in the family and then was ill and had to cancel my trip. I was charged anyway even when I gave a few day's notice which why I say to make sure you read each person's Air BnB policies. I also do not like to have to pay cash or Mastercard/Visa because I combine my trips with business for tax purposes. A lot of Air BnB people will only take cash or Mastercard/Visa. I am an Amex and Discover Card person all the way. I know merchants hate those cards because they charge a big fee but if the merchant wants my money...sorry...merchant will have to pay that fee.

I've used airbnb a lot over the last few years and have had great stays. I've never had an issue not 'being accepted'. The owners can leave reviews for guests as well..(and I'm not saying anyone is a party animal) but there could be some not comfortable with renting to younger people...maybe they are worried about crazy parties! Our only blip was when our host double booked in San Diego and we had to stay in a hotel for one of the nights. She refunded the night, as well as gave us 10% refund on the two nights we stayed because of the mix-up. I'm using airbnb this trip in Sept for Rome, Venice, and Atrani...which is a 5 min walk to Amalfi. I'll be posting reviews in Sept for sure. The only thing about looking at airbnb for so far ahead, some of the places you end up falling in love with could be not renting by then. I don't mind paying ahead for the airbnb rentals - I usually book about 3-4 months out (especially if it is high season or a popular spot)...by the time we go, the cc is paid and one less expense to worry about while away. And if they cancel on you, you get refunded really quick.

Now, my sister lives in the UK, and they have a washer/dryer crazy combo thing. It washes and 'dries' the clothes - but it can't wash too much at a time and takes FOREVER to dry (so they use the line in their tiny tiny backyard :). So you may want to make sure you don't take anything that takes forever to dry (tho even jeans for me on a good sunny day will dry in 3-4 hrs outside.) I would make sure anything you do want to wash - don't do it the day before you are leaving - in case it isn't totally dry.