Hello,
We will be coming across on the ferry from Messina into Villa S Giovanni and would like a recommendation of a town on the coast within 50 kilometers of the crossing and any suggestions on things to see, we will be staying 2 nights.
Also has any one ever toured the Pollino National Park and did you feel it was worth seeing or would you recommend another place to stay in the area, we will be heading to Sorrento and would like to stay one night around the Pollino National Park area and than the next morning go to Paestum for the day and that night onto Sorrento for 4 nights which we have a place to stay in town.
My last question is has anyone taken the bus from Sorrento to Rome and if so was it pretty easy to do? I keep reading about the Circumvesuvian train from Sorrento to Naples and than another train to Rome. I would like to take the bus because its a straight shot to Rome.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
The bus from Sorrento to Rome is simple enough but keep in mind that the bus arrives at Tiburtina Station, not Termini Station. It's not "a straight shot to Rome" because you will need to take the metro or a taxi to reach the center. Not a big deal, but a transfer is still needed. The bus doesn't run very often so the train may be your best bet.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
At the tip of the toe is the town of Scilla. Reggio Calabria is nearby as well. A little further up is Tropea.
Posted by
OP
West Sacramento, CA
55 posts
Yes, according to Rick Steve's book the bus leaves Sorrento twice a day at 6:00 or 17:00 on Monday which will be the day we are leaving for Rome. Do you know if the first week of June is consider off season?
Posted by
OP
West Sacramento, CA
55 posts
Do you recommend Scilla that is the town I have been considering?
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
We've spent a lot of time in Calabria because my family comes from there. Reggio Calabria is a large city with a state museum which contains the the famous bronze Riace Warriors. Further north are the popular coastal beach towns of Tropea and Pizzo. Tropea is a very popular destination and is quite beautiful. Pizzo is experiencing a condo building boom, especially for English tourists.
Train service is excellent in the south, so you could take a train to Napoli and then transfer to the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Sorrento is quite beautiful and easy to navigate.
Buon viaggio,
Posted by
OP
West Sacramento, CA
55 posts
Can you recommend a place to stay in Tropea or Scilla with an ocean view, there will be 7 adults and 3 cars?
Posted by
Coraopolis, Pa, USA
1018 posts
Unfortunately, we have never stayed in either location as we've only taken day trips to those locations. We always stay in Nicastro, about an hour north of Tropea, at the Hotel Savant. The hotel is located in the center of town and the staff is extremely friendly and professional. The second time we were there I emailed to say that I could send our personal data to them to hold the room and they responded that it was't necessary because they knew who we were. The name of the area is Lamezia Terme, which consists of Nicastro, Sambaise, and Lamezia. There is an international airport located 15 minutes away as well as a train station.
My family comes from Nicastro and Sambas, so we always stay in Nicastro.
I hope this helps.
Buon viaggio.
Posted by
Campbell River, Canada
361 posts
Diana, I can recommend Villagio L'Olivara in Tropea. It is in the hills above Tropea with a magnificent ocean view including Stromboli volcano. There are apartments with 1 and 2 bedrooms and lots of parking. It's about a 5 min. drive to town. Great restaurants, beaches and decent shopping. We stayed in May for a week and the half board meals weren't mandatory, I think that it starts the first of June. The meals were decent though with very nice staff. It's a one hour drive to Lamezia Terme where we dropped off our car and took the train to Naples. You might want to Google Calabria Tourism for more info for accommodation. Hope that this helps you.
Posted by
Asnieres sur Vegre, France
127 posts
Scilla is a lovely town but I have never tried to stay there as we were always on our way to or from Sicily. We have stayed in Basilicata however, at Hotel Ristorante Borgo La Tana close to Maratea (not Matera). It would be very easy to find rooms for seven people there and it is not expensive, particularly if you opt for demi-pension, and their food is quite good. We find the hotel nice and the family who own it very friendly. I am not sure when you will be there, but if in the summer, it does have a large pool; however, if you are there in the summer, I would also suggest that you get reservations now. I believe it is quite near the Pollino National Park. The drive from there to Paestum is easy and can be done on secondary roads through some lovely countryside.