We are planning a 3 month trip for spring 2009, to the coasts of Italy and France. Looking for helpful information on basic, clean weekly rentals in the locales of Tropea (1 week), Sorrento/Amalfi Coast(2 weeks), Florence/border of Tuscany (1 week), Cinque Terre (1 week) in Italy. There will be two adults plus our then-to-be 5 year old boy. We want to use public transportation to get around, as well as have plenty of downtime on the beaches. We also plan on doing some day hiking (Amalfi Coast & Cinque Terre). Any additional info you want to send our way about great family things to do in these areas will be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
USA
351 posts
I had good luck with rentals on vrbo.com
Posted by
Kentwood, Michigan, USA
166 posts
Try Il Nido in Sorrento, great location with a view of the sea and a great price. Just email Dino or Giovanni and see what they can do for you. You can get the email address at their website.
Greg
Posted by
Northborough, MA
636 posts
Sorrento area ideas: Climb Mt. Vesuvius, visit Pompeii, Capri, Napoli Sotterannea (subterranean, in Naples), National Archaeological Museum (Naples), Amalfi Drive. For Sorrento/Naples transportation, take the Hydrofoil.
Cinque Terre: hike, take trains and boats, hang out on the beach, and relax ...
3 months!? What an incredible experience. I am envious.
Posted by
OP
Driggs, ID, USA
7 posts
Thanks for the feedback so far. Kent - we've tried vrbo and I've also gotten a lot of interesting info from ownersdirect.co.uk. Greg - We'll be calling to inquire with Il Nido because I keep reading great things about them! We're intrigued. Leslie - great tips for things to do aound Sorrento. Thanks. We have been saving our money for 2 years now and we want this time with our son while he is still young because you only live once, after all. No regrets.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
Sue, from the town of Amalfi on the Amalfi coast. Find the 1,000 stair hike to the town of Ravello.
It starts just down from the town of Amalfi, and you hike up the steps/stairs, great views, and Ravello is a fun little town. You can then walk back down!
The hike/walk takes an hour or so, depending on how much time you want to stop and linger. Take care, you do have to cross the road 1 or 2 times, so just watch for traffic. The trail is well marked.
There is a cute ceramics shop about 1/2 up to take a break from the hike/sun.
Great ceramic shopping in Ravello. Both shops are the same owner, the first one you hit when you arrive in town has more product.
It's fun to walk right past homes and hear the roosters crow. You are away from everyone else. All the tourists. We did the walk in May and didn't see another soul on the trail. you only need tennis shoes, and this could even be done in sandals- it's paved the entire way up.
Posted by
Santa Clara, CA
252 posts
For an Amalfi coast view without the price or tourists, try Nerano. I rented a place there for a week, the view was fantastic and there was a nice beach at the bottom of the town along with a few restaurants. The downside would be your need for public transportation, it would be a slooow bus ride to Sorrento.
Posted by
San Leandro, CA, USA
632 posts
This is another good site for Italian rentals.
Posted by
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1127 posts
SlowTrav has great apartment/villa reviews:
http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/vr/reviews.asp
Posted by
johnson city
100 posts
Sue, I would highly suggest taking the train to Paestum. It is simply amazing. My husband and I were there the first part of April and fell in love with the Greek temples. The museum has some fascinating sculptures and art as well.
Posted by
OP
Driggs, ID, USA
7 posts
Everybody, thanks for the great information. I'm in the process of researching. We really like the sounds of the agriturismos just outside of Florence and the one in Levanto. Il Nido (our opinion) looks a bit sterile for folks who don't care for hotels, but we are still open to it for now. Ellen, thank you so much for telling us about the hike from Amalfi to Ravello. Now this is definitely more our style! We are also excited about the two ideas of things to do in Naples. Grazi, grazi.
Posted by
Renton, WA, USA
240 posts
Sue, I spent 4 weeks in Italy. We rented a car at the Rome airport.Drove to Naples Stayed in Naples for 4 days. Went to Capri, sorrento, Amalfi. Then drove up towards Rome and cut over to the East coast, stayed in Rimini 1 night. Awesome beach town. Drove up to Venice for 4 days. Then rented an apt in Tuscany, check out site: www.lafornella.com Owned by an American from Arizona.Very charming and good rates. They make their own wine, too! Then to Rome for a week. It's VERY easy to get around using a rental car. While in Tuscany, it was very easy to get to other villages and cities. Many olive orchards nearby where they have tastings. I enjoyed going to the non-tourist areas...and the Gelato!! There's one at every corner! Enjoy..Ciao!
Posted by
OP
Driggs, ID, USA
7 posts
Jackie - thanks for your input. Does anyone have suggestions on what are the best hikes in the Cinque Terre or which town to base out of in that region? We are looking into the Erba Persa Agriturismo in Levanto, just outside of CT, but I can't tell if we can do varied day hikes from there into the CT. Comments?