holiday to italy!

[dvalley69]

hi, iv never been to Italy but looking to go late september. i’d like a beach but also to see a bit of traditional Italy, been looking at the amalfi coast but in reality iv not a clue where to go!
any reccomadations welcome, cheers

Really depends on your flight options, i.e. airports, and what kind of holiday you want. If you want to just relax on a beach and take in a bit of local culture then best to go to a less famous place & quite small rather than the touristy places like Sorrento, the lakes, near big cities etc. Saying that, if it's your first time then they aren't bad options coz you'll have no language issues and the quality of the services are generally high.For less-known places then here are my options, with the weather more reliable in the south, but it is end of Sept/early Oct so you never know:

Sardinia has some of the bluest, clearest water around: in the north there's Stintino, which isn't far from Alghero, north-east coast (Costa Smeralda - a little exclusive but not peak season so probably less expensive & busy, and the sea & beaches are beautiful) or south coast (Villasimius area or the other side of Cagliari). Then, there's Sicily around San Vito lo Capo, near Palermo, that is stunning if the weather is perfect. Also Apulia as mentioned but for the quietest and best little beaches then check out the Ionian sea south of Gallipoli rather than the Adriatic side. It's a bit more travel and adventure to get there coz there isn't an airport nearby but it's a lovely area and very quiet, and Gallipoli is interesting. Plus, there are loads of little towns nearby and Lecce, which is a must but rarely visited or mentioned by visitors. Finally, you've got Calabria and the Tropea area (flights to Lamezia Terme) which is also stunning. Check out photos on Google to get an idea.

[Woodleyclaret]

Stayed in Florence with complimentary minibus into town.Excellent food and art.Took the train to Rome on a day trip.It was filthy and an astonishing lack of maintenance on all historical buildings except the Collesium. The good bit great train only £60 return 2 hr Eurostar.

[dvalley69]

Wow, so many recommadations! thank you!
think iv decided on a night in Naples then head down the coast to Pompei. then to visit Sorrento and Capri… any further advice is welcome
so many nice places to see so little time!

If I were you, I'd hire a scooter to just drive around along the Amalfi coastline and take in the fresh air and stunning landscape.
If you're interested in seeing any footy then give us a shout once you have dates. There are loads of options in the Naples area end of Sept/early Oct. Napoli would be cool. Or Salernitana, from Salerno, who have a cracking old school ground.

[Squazo]

If I were you, I'd hire a scooter to just drive around along the Amalfi coastline and take in the fresh air and stunning landscape.
If you're interested in seeing any footy then give us a shout once you have dates. There are loads of options in the Naples area end of Sept/early Oct. Napoli would be cool. Or Salernitana, from Salerno, who have a cracking old school ground.

i’d love to go see napoli and see some of the ‘maradona’ tributes etc and thanks for the offer

[louieollie]

We are currently in Spezia having travelled arounx Milan,Venice,Florence,Bologna,Prato,Varona and a couple oc off the veaten track villages and kn the whole it has been excellent. Train and bus travel is cheap/regular/clean and tidy, the people certainly respond to tourists making an attempt to converse in broken Italian. Lovely country, amazing food and titally recommend.

[dvalley69]

i’d love to go see napoli and see some of the ‘maradona’ tributes etc and thanks for the offer

fyi, they're at home in the CL on 1 Oct against Sporting Lisbon and then again on Sunday 5 Oct against Genoa.

[RVclaret]

Lived in Naples for 2 years. Great city. Recommend walking round the old town, eating pizza at La Da Michele (expect a queue), enjoying an aperitivo on the Mergalina (coast) with views of the castle and bay (lovely restaurant there called Antonio & Antonio) and as mentioned, visiting the Maradona mural / shrine in the Quartiere di Spagnoli. As for the footy, very hard to get tickets at the minute, due to their title win and signing De Bruyne. I was out for a couple of weeks recently and hoped to get to a game but wasn’t possible. Been to quite a few inc. Champs League, definitely try and find tickets as it’s special, but you could be looking at big prices on re-selling sites.

Sorrento & Amalfi ‘should’ be a touch quieter end of September, that’s when we used to go down there, avoid the major crowds and a bit cooler to walk around. If you want a hidden gem restaurant in Positano, get to Lo Guarracino. Other ideas include a day trip to Ischia and/or Procida, slightly underrated with Capri the most touristy option (and also stunning, but pricey). Not sure if you like mountain walking but there is a trail called Path of the Gods on top of the Amalfi Coast which is insane.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

Wow, so many recommadations! thank you!
think iv decided on a night in Naples then head down the coast to Pompei. then to visit Sorrento and Capri… any further advice is welcome
so many nice places to see so little time!

I’m in that area now. Spent first night in Naples then train to Salerno (45 mins) and a boat to Maiori. Then visited Positano and Amalfi on the same day. Also walked to Minori one night. After that ferry today Capri , then Ischia, and I’ll end up in Rome. If you give an idea of what you like in a holiday you should get better advice. If you want cheap beer and food then this is not the place. But for beautiful places it is.

For what it’s worth, I enjoyed Māori and Minori more than Positano and Amalfi on the- there just so crowded. Capri town during the day is mad (up to 50,000 visitors per day). We stayed in Anacapri which is just 10 mins on the bus, and way cheaper. We visited Capri town in the evening after all the day trippers had gone. Ischia seems nice. It’s our first day there staying in Forio

[dougcollins]

I walked from Minori to Ravello, now there's a walk when it's 30 c!

Ischia is great, something of a hidden gem.

[Squazo]

so we’ve booked for 5 nights. gonna stay in Sorrento but might spilt it by staying somewhere else along the Almafi coast, anyone recommend where to stay please?

[Row x]

so we’ve booked for 5 nights. gonna stay in Sorrento but might spilt it by staying somewhere else along the Almafi coast, anyone recommend where to stay please?

Whilst in sorrento, search out the foreigners club. Fantastic views over the bay of naples, whilst enjoying a couple of drinks.

[ChrisG]

I walked from Minori to Ravello, now there's a walk when it's 30 c!

Ischia is great, something of a hidden gem.

I saw an article on the BBC website the other day about Ischia, and the restaurants that cook food using the red hot sand. I'd love to give that a crack

[chadders]

Ravello is pretty cool. Great views, fantastic gelato. Not too far from Sorrento.

[dougcollins]

Ravello is pretty cool. Great views, fantastic gelato. Not too far from Sorrento.

Ravello is definitely pretty cool, but second only to Capri price wise.

All the taxis in Ravello are white Mercedes.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

Ischia. Sorrento and the other towns on the Amalfi coast are really busy, nice to get a few days on the island for a change of scenery I’m staying in Forio but went to Sant’Angelo last night which was great.

[Squazo]

Whilst in sorrento, search out the foreigners club. Fantastic views over the bay of naples, whilst enjoying a couple of drinks.

i shall find that, thanks

[Claret53]

Herculaneum is smaller than Pompei and less busy, but was taken out by the same eruption and is well worth a visit. Being quieter, you get a better feeling for the place.

[dougcollins]

Herculaneum is smaller than Pompei and less busy, but was taken out by the same eruption and is well worth a visit. Being quieter, you get a better feeling for the place.

Bang on, I always recommend Ercolano to people. Good beach front/restaurants as well.

[criminalclaret]

Done a good chunk of holidays in Italy over the last few years - Rome, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Naples to name but a few.

Amalfi / Sorrento do have expensive areas but nothing eye watering other than Positano which as flooded with wealthy Americans and Chinese. But it is stunning to go around the coastline. I stayed near Minori and loved it, did day trips to places. The area is georgous but my god the place is CHAOS as certainly suffering from overtourism of late. We went in later September a few years back. Also do not drive, its absolutely no worth the hassle it due to the narrow steep roads and Italian drivers. If you are into walking there is a famous walk called "Path of the Gods" where you can get a public bus to the start and finish in Positano (or vice versa) Wow just brilliant, stunning scenery. Not for the faint hearted though. There was a storm one evening and so all the ferries ended up being cancelled the next day, buses were overran and incredibly poorly organised so ended up walking over the hills through all the small towns, drinking gorgeous wine and food over 12 hours. Must have wracked up 30K steps that day up and down the hills. Overall I am delighted I did it and would do it again, but not with small kids or older folks. You just have to sit back and let the chaos unfold, don't expect to get anywhere on time.

Naples meh, didn't think it was as awful as people said but wouldn't spend a great amount of time there.

Pompeii absolute must see, amazing experience. Would love to see a concert there

[dougcollins]

Pompeii absolute must see, amazing experience. Would love to see a concert there

The first thing I did when I got to Pompeii arena was run to the spot where Dave Gilmour was stood.

I won't tell you what Mrs dc said.

[criminalclaret]

The first thing I did when I got to Pompeii arena was run to the spot where Dave Gilmour was stood.

I won't tell you what Mrs dc said.

I was sat at the top of the one of opera ampi-theatres(?) and I was just blown away, absolute stunning. Apparently they have 3/4 open air small concerts and operas there in the summer, would absolutely love to see some time. You can hire it for weddings if you have enough cash (spoiler - I dont!)

[louieollie]

Really enjoyed Lucca if you get a chance go visit and sample the various squares with food and drink a plenty, Its got a lovely chilled atmosphere l. Would also highly recommend a small town called Prato, again lovely chilled nightlife and relaxed atmosphere.