Hello everyone,
My boyfriend and I planning our first trip to Italy. June 28-July 10.
I have the hotels booked and a couple excursions planned already, however, I need some advice on logistics. For example, how do I get to our hotel in Ischia when we get off the ferry? Do I call for a taxi to take us to Albergo Terme San Lorenzo-Lacco Ammeno?
The trip has three stops, Rome, Sorrento, Ischia. I've been researching how to get from Rome to Sorrento through Naples on the train. . Would you recommend me buying the train tickets before we get to the train station? What's the best way to get to Ischia from Sorrento? What is the best way to get from Ischia to Rome to fly home?
There will will be 2 adults, both 55 years old, we're both in decent health and walking is no problem.
We have a private transfer picking us up from the Rome airport to take us to our hotel. We'll spend 3 nights in Rome than head to Sorrento. We're staying at Navona Colors Hotel in Rome. Which train station in Rome do I go to to get to Sorrento?
Next, staying in Sorrento for 4 nights at Hotel Continental. Would like to walk the Path of Gods but I'm having a hard time with the logistics... any advice, thank you.
Next going to Ischia, staying 3 nights at Albergo Terme San Lorenzo- Lacco Ameno. Not sure how to get to our hotel off the ferry.
Lastly, staying at Navona Colors Hotel In Rome for one night and we have a transfer scheduled to take us to the airport to fly home the next day.
I usually really enjoy researching and planning trips but this one is out of the country and we only speak english. I'm getting nervous about how to get from one place to another...any advice, recommendations, is greatly appreciated.
I hope this agenda wasn't too difficult to follow. Thank you. Angela
Posted by
11609 posts
Take a taxi to your hotels just like in the U.S.A.
Have Concierge at your Sorrento hotel about Path of the Gods hike.
Ask all of your hotels’ Concierge to get you taxis, give you advice. If they don’t have a concierge, ask whoever is at the front desk to answer your questions.
Posted by
5107 posts
Just a word of encouragement--and it was my mantra when I went to a country I was slightly nervous about last year--Millions go there every year, and they don't speak a lick of Italian either--it will all be fine.
In the meantime, I would work on buffing up your ability to find information, as in the moment you won't want to be waiting for help from a forum. Just about all forms of transport schedules can be found online. Once you have familiarity with the routes and companies, you will feel much more confident.
Always ask your hotel, as sometimes a taxi is the simplest way but sometimes they will offer transfers.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2556 posts
My first suggestion is to get the Rick Steve’s guidebook which is a great resource for logistics. It will answer a lot of your questions. Have you paid for the private transfer from the Rome airport already? The taxi for the airport is 50 euros flat rate to your hotel. Just get in the queue outside the airport. Are you staying in Sorrento before going to Ischia or going straight to Ischia from Naples? There is a ferry from Naples to Ischia and also from Sorrento to Ischia. It looks like your hotel on Ischia has a free taxi/shuttle service. I would email the hotel and ask this question. The main train station in Rome is Termini where you will get the train to Naples. Google Path of the Gods. Lonely Planet has a good website with info.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you to everyone's great advice, I appreciate it.
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
795 posts
Path of the Gods is....complicated.....to get to Bomerano to start, its going to be a long drive. I would see if your Sorrento hotel can find a decent car service or taxi to take you straight there. If not, you have to take the bus to Amalfi and then join the herd to fight for a spot on the bus to Bomerano. Which google says will take 3 hours just to GET there.
Posted by
Land of La
9265 posts
Learn a few words in Italian.
Prego
Graize
Ciao
Per Fore
Mi dispaice
If female bring a scarf to cover your head in churches and cathedrals. Don’t wear short shorts into churches or cathedrals.
Make certain you have comfortable and sturdy walking sandals or shoes. Take moleskin.
Take a coin purse
Lastly, the English language is Universal especially in touristed areas of Italy.
Posted by
Reno, NV, USA
2556 posts
I agree with Katherine on the Path of the Gods. Getting there and back will take a lot of time. The hike itself is rigorous and will take 4 hours. You will be there in the heat of the summer with crowds of others trying to get there and do the hike.
Posted by
5107 posts
There are other hikes--you might be able to find one just as spectacular that won't take so long to get to. I would check out one of the books that details all of the hikes in the region. One is published by Sunflower and the other by Cicerone. You can find both on Amazon.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you..I agree. The Path of Gods will have to be done on a return trip. Especially since I'm going during high season.
Posted by
Miami
338 posts
Rick Steves recommends the downhill walk from Ravello to Amalfi.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2310 posts
Downhill hike from Ravello will kill your knees, especially if you're "older"!
Posted by
Los Angeles
1207 posts
Learn a few words in Italian.
Prego
Graize
Ciao
Per Fore
Mi dispaice
It might be helpful to learn some actual Italian words:
Per favore
Grazie [three syllables, not two]
Mi scusi, or simply scusi [helpful to get someone's attention]
Buongiorno
Bagno
Biglietti
There is a list of survival words & phrases in the RS Italian guidebooks. His Italian phrasebook is even more useful. But the guidebook will be invaluable for the logistics of your trip, as others have suggested.
Since you'll be moving around, becoming familiar with basic terms associated with transportation would also be helpful - so you can follow signs when not bi-lingual.
There is a wealth of information on YouTube - watch a couple of the vlogs for navigating Rome Termini, how to ride Italian trains, how to validate your ticket on the bus, tram or train, etc. In addition, listening to people speak Italian will help to develop an ear for the language, even if you don't understand. There are also very basic Italian lessons - watch Kylie Flavell's video on how to order caffe in an Italian bar. Read a few menus, so you become familiar with the basic layout.