posted 01-27-2005 15:06               

Brian

posted 01-28-2005 08:07               

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Originally posted by Laurie:
We liked Sorrento as a base, ... We stayed at a hotel on the outskirts ... But deciding on the best locastion depends on what you plan to take in while you're there - did you want to see Pompeii, or mostly the coastline?

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We plan on dropping down from Naples and spending 4 nights in the area with day trips to Pompeii, Capri, and the Positano/Amalfi area. We'll be using public transportation so Sorrento looks like the best base for us.

Given our plan for day trips, how inconvenient is it if one stays outside of the center of Sorrento?

posted 01-28-2005 22:05            

Il Nido offers free 10-minute minivan shuttle service into downtown Sorrento and public transportation (and back to the hotel - we could call them on a payphone for a pickup or schedule in advance) so for us it wasn't inconvenient at all. Our rental car sat idle in their parking lot during most of our stay, except the one day we drove it up the Amalfi coast.

They are at www.ilnido.it - you can see the views from the rooms and the breakfast patio (room rates include breakfast - and capuccino refills!) - you look out over lemon groves to Mt. Vesuvius. We really liked the people who run this little hotel, very personable and helpful.

Those were the exact 3 day trips we did during our 4-night stay, with dinners in Sorrento. Pompeii (and Herculaneum, same day) and Amalfi coast (with stops in Positano and Ravello) were outstanding. Capri was quite nice (great chair lift ride to the top) but IMO not as memorable as the first 2, they were admittedly hard acts to follow. The one day trip we didn't get to but wished we'd had time for was a hike up Vesuvius - some other Il Nido guests were headed that way on the day we went to Capri.

posted 01-29-2005 14:18               

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Originally posted by pwrshift:
I've got to book a hotel in Italy in the Amalfi area for ... 'money no object' to get the best memories.

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This place (in Sorrento) may be an ideal candidate to provide a memory 'to die for'!

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If you'd rather be in town and price is not an object, stay at the 19th century Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, (www.exvitt.it) where you drive through their lovely private gardens before reaching the villa-style hotel that sits on the bay. Here is where Enrico Caruso chose to die, where Oscar Wilde, Princess Margaret and Sophia Loren also have stayed. Where you can dine on a terrace with one of the best views in Sorrento. (From 260 to 1815O [$304 - $2121].)

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[Edited to add info from Cadogan books - other luminairies to have graced this Grand Tour hotel's presence include Wagner, Nietzche and "the omnipresent Pavarotti"]

posted 02-01-2005 05:15               

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Originally posted by Laurie:

They are at www.ilnido.it - you can see the views from the rooms and the breakfast patio (room rates include breakfast - and capuccino refills!) - you look out over lemon groves to Mt. Vesuvius.

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Laurie,

The views of the bay from Il Nido look very nice but it seems too high to get a view of Sorrento itself - I'd prefer a spot that overlooks Sorrento where you can see people moving around.

Settimo Cielo, (also out Via Capo, overlooking Marina Grande) would seem to fit my preferences better. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and let me know what do you think. TIA.

posted 02-01-2005 07:48            

Yes, that looks like an excellent choice too... a 10-minute walk from downtown Sorrento is a plus - and not much more $$ than Il Nido. Great find!

What may or may not be unique at Il Nido is the feeling of friendship that develops there between the owners and their guests - if you read thru their guest book, that is a common theme. We felt like Gianni was a good friend by the end of our stay, there was a way they interact with their guests that seems beyond polite and superficial. It was probably our best experience ever, in that regard, and really contrasted with our TS experiences there, and even other hotels and b&b's. (During our travels, sometimes we sorta get to know other travelers, but not too often do we feel like we get to know people whose areas we are touring. So our little interlude at Il Nido was like a beacon of light.)

posted 02-01-2005 12:01               

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Originally posted by Laurie:
not much more $$ than Il Nido. Great find!

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I have to give Rick Steves the credit for that - you also get 15% off the rate with his Italy book.

I'm being torn now between the convenience of spending all four nights in Sorrento and missing out on spending a night or two in Positano where we can take more time and also enjoy Amalfi and Ravello more fully. The latter approach has the inside track at the moment.

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What may or may not be unique at Il Nido is the feeling of friendship that develops there between the owners and their guests ... sometimes we sorta get to know other travelers, but not too often do we feel like we get to know people whose areas we are touring.

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Yes, that's the personally enriching kind of experience I value highly as well ... I try to seek out B&Bs and small, family-run hotels whenever I can.

posted 02-08-2005 05:34               

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Originally posted by Laurie:
If you stay at Settimo Cielo, hope you'll share your experience.

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Will do Laurie - I have now booked a room con balcone, con vista sul mare for two of the nights.

I also found a small B&B on the main "street" in Positano (La Tavolozza) for the other two nights, also with sea view and balcony. As we'll be traveling with friends duirng this part of our trip, this one has the added attraction of our rooms being connected via a terrace, where we'll be served breakfast.

posted 02-15-2005 05:39               

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Originally posted by pwrshift:
I've got to book a hotel in Italy in the Amalfi area for only 2 nights this May ... consider 'money no object' to get the best memories.

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La Sirenuse in Positano is #6 in the Travel Channel's list of the "World's top 10 seductive seaside resorts".

posted 02-15-2005 11:18               

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Originally posted by X-ring:
I also found a small B&B on the main "street" in Positano (La Tavolozza)...

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Carl

posted 02-15-2005 13:37               

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Originally posted by CarlK:

Would you happen to have a website address, or contact email, etc., for this B&B?

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No web site; the email is celeste.dileva@tiscali.it - daughter Francesca can communicate in English.

A picture that they sent me is on it way to you via email.

posted 05-27-2005 06:57               

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Originally posted by Laurie:
If you stay at Settimo Cielo, hope you'll share your experience.

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The hotel was OK and the breakfast OK too (ham was a bit fatty) but the view over the Bay of Naples from our terrace was superb.

posted 05-27-2005 07:05               

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Originally posted by CarlK:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by X-ring:
[b] I also found a small B&B on the main "street" in Positano (La Tavolozza)...

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Carl

[/B][/QUOTE]

This hotel was great - Celeste even met our bus at the door - daughter Francesca is very helpful and speaks good English. Value hard to beat.

The view over Positano and the ocean from our terrace was beautiful. Of all the places we visted during our 5 week tour of Italy, Positano ranks near the top.