Pre-night for Bella Italia?

[aujeffk]

I'm thinking of doing the Bella Italia and wanted to book a pre-night, but not necessarily in Sorrento or at the hotel.

Any suggestions on places to stay the first night, other than Sorrento? The 2nd day is Positano, but you don't stay very long. I thought about booking a room there in Positano and then transferring to Sorrento for the dinner on Day 1, but I'm not sure how the transfers would work from airport, etc.

Any ideas or thoughts? If a pre-night in Sorrento is the best route, what are some suggestions to do for the pre-night/day there?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mapsd]

Where are you flying into?
If Rome, it's already a long haul to get to Sorrento. Positano will add even more time and a bus ride unless you hire a car service.

We're doing Viva Italia, but are spending a few days in Sorrento prior to our ABD tour. Travelling by rail with a change in trains in Naples. If you're doing Bella, I'd consider doing the opposite of us: Spend some time in Rome prior to the tour.

 

[aujeffk]

Where are you flying into?
If Rome, it's already a long haul to get to Sorrento. Positano will add even more time and a bus ride unless you hire a car service.

We're doing Viva Italia, but are spending a few days in Sorrento prior to our ABD tour. Travelling by rail with a change in trains in Naples. If you're doing Bella, I'd consider doing the opposite of us: Spend some time in Rome prior to the tour.

We are doing Bella Italia. We were just planning on flying into Naples and possibly staying at the regular hotel a night early (only doing one day early to get adjusted). We'll probably arrive Saturday mid-afternoon and the first scheduled ABD activity is Sunday evening. I'm not sure there would be enough time in Rome to take in any sights with a day early. We can't come any earlier than one day.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[tufbuf]

We are doing Bella Italia. We were just planning on flying into Naples and possibly staying at the regular hotel a night early (only doing one day early to get adjusted). We'll probably arrive Saturday mid-afternoon and the first scheduled ABD activity is Sunday evening. I'm not sure there would be enough time in Rome to take in any sights with a day early. We can't come any earlier than one day.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

If you are arriving a day before, the best option for convenience sake is to book a pre- night at the hotel in Sorrento, in this case the Hotel La Favorita. The ABD people can pick you up from the airport to the hotel? That's my suggestion.

 

[aujeffk]

If you are arriving a day before, the best option for convenience sake is to book a pre- night at the hotel in Sorrento, in this case the Hotel La Favorita. The ABD people can pick you up from the airport to the hotel? That's my suggestion.

Thanks for the advice. That seems the most practical. I would love to spend an evening in Positano, but there's the extra transfer fees that may not make it worth it with such limited time. Any suggestions on what to do in Sorrento?

Also, I believe the hotel is the Hilton Sorrento Palace now. They may have changed it from a previous trip.

Thanks!

 

[Karabee]

Staying in Sorrento is best. Positano is beautiful, but by the time you eat dinner, the town slowly starts to shut down. That might be ok with you, but if you arrive, check in, eat - there is your full day! Sorrento is actually stunning. I've never been on the ABD Italy tour but I've been to Italy often and its one of the best places on the Amalfi coast. I would suggest getting lost in side streets and you will fine great places to duck into. Do a bit of research so you get something authentic, not touristy. If you're after a little fresh air and beauty, try Villa Comunale, the beautiful gardens. There are many places to grab a drink or a bite where you're perched high above the cliffs overlooking the ocean. For dinner I personally recommend Museum Caruso Restaurant. Also, this is THE place to try lemoncello. I'm sure you will get alot of it, but this is where the lemons grow! Don't buy a cheap kind - you can tell the difference! Italy is absolutely beautiful and close to my heart - enjoy!

 

[Turtlemom]

When we did Bella Italia in the summer of 2010, we did 3 pre-nights in Rome and took the train down to Naples. We were met by a driver at the Naples train station and driven to the hotel in Sorrento. It was very easy to get there by train.

If you are only staying one pre-night, I would probably stay in Sorrento though. From Sorrento, there is a bus that will take you to Positano, or a boat that you could take there. Either way, Positano is an easy day trip from Sorrento.

Whatever you choose to do--you will have a fabulous time!!! My family loved, loved loved this trip! We still talk about wanting to go back.

 

[wdwsos]

I'm glad it's the Hilton again. That's where we stayed in 2009 and, although it's a long uphill trek from the center of town, the hotel is quite nice and the view are just incredible. I'd also advise staying there for the pre-night. It's a bit of a drive from the Naples airport and logistically it just makes sense.

We found a fabulous little family-run restaurant when we were there. (A few of my DIS friends from that trip will remember it, I'm sure!) It's called La Tavernetta and there are two -- one not too far from the hotel and one down by the water. They'll actually pick you up at the hotel and drive you there. We were just overnight in Sorrento on a Crystal Cruise last month, and went there again (we've been dreaming about it since the AbD trip!) and it lived up to the memory! I have the phone number and address if anyone wants it!

Dotti

 

[Phil1019]

I'm glad it's the Hilton again. That's where we stayed in 2009 and, although it's a long uphill trek from the center of town, the hotel is quite nice and the view are just incredible. I'd also advise staying there for the pre-night. It's a bit of a drive from the Naples airport and logistically it just makes sense.

We found a fabulous little family-run restaurant when we were there. (A few of my DIS friends from that trip will remember it, I'm sure!) It's called La Tavernetta and there are two -- one not too far from the hotel and one down by the water. They'll actually pick you up at the hotel and drive you there. We were just overnight in Sorrento on a Crystal Cruise last month, and went there again (we've been dreaming about it since the AbD trip!) and it lived up to the memory! I have the phone number and address if anyone wants it!

Dotti

Hi, I am going on the Bella Italia trip 7/4/12. I would love the address and phone number for La Tavernetta as I am arriving one day early 7/3/12.The restaurant will pick us up and drive us there?