Looking to go Italy with girlfriend where do you suggest?

[tony kop77]

I have been with my girlfriend for a year and a half and we are looking to go on our first holiday together. I have Italian parents and can speak the language etc she has never been but would like to go to Naples or Sorrento and we can do day trip to Pompey and Rome.

My girlfriend likes a drink so all inclusive would be nice we have both booked 2 weeks off so don’t mind going for 10 days or 14 especially as the Monday we come back is bank holiday. We are going 20th July. I have never organised a holiday myself before and only been abroad about 4 times with friends and it was very basic when I went with them as it was a lads thing only other times I went abroad was Italy when I went with my parents and stayed with family.

Our budget is around £1500 each with flights and hotel but would prefer around £1000 each but wouldn’t mind paying but extra if it was worth it and just wanted help where to go how much you think we would need places to go etc. I can’t wait to try pizza from Naples girlfriend likes her wine but when on holidays she prefers spirits although she drinks enough gin and tonic weekends

 

[noiseboy72]

Have a look at Jet2 holidays. We found them to be cheaper than the other big brands - even for the same hotels. They have hotels in Naples from about £600 each, but this is B&B only.

If you've never organised a holiday before, book a package and don't try and do it yourself. It might be slightly more expensive, but the reduction in stress will be worth it.

All inclusive might limit your choices, particularly in Italy. It's more popular in Spain at the resort hotels where there's not a lot of point leaving, as there's not a lot to see! With Pompeii, Naples and Vesuvius on the doorstep, it's worth getting out and enjoying the local night life. Drinks are not that expensive anyway!

We went to Sorrento 2 years ago and stayed at the Hilton Palace Hotel. Amazing place and worth the money, with great views of Vesuvius from the bar, really nice pool and just a 10 minute walk back down into the town if you wanted some beach time or a ferry over to Naples or Capri. Breakfast was included, sitting on a terrace overlooking the bay while eating freshly cooked pancakes or something from the huge buffet! They also did half board, with an evening buffet, but we just did B&B and ate either in the bar or in the town. About €30 - $40 Euros per night with drinks for a 3 course meal or about €20 for pizza and pasta.

If you are looking for buzzing nightlife, Sorrento might not be for you. There's plenty of bars and shops open in the evening until late, but it's not a party place. Naples will offer more of this.

Book an excursion to Pompeii. You can get around on the local trains, but they are hot, dirty and crowded. An air conditioned bus and experienced guide is worth the money!!

 

[tony kop77]

Thank you so much you have been very helpful thank you. I must admit I rather walk into a travel agent with my girlfriend and talk to them in person but worried if I leave it until next Saturday that’s the earliest we can go together that the price will go up or that all the flights etc will be gone as I have seen some nice hotels saying book quick only 1 left etc.

I would prefer to eat out we was just worried it might be expensive eating out every night while my girlfriend likes her drink I was thinking might need £100 a day for food and drinks. My girlfriend likes the beach and pool and meeting new people on holiday as she likes to chat and people catch trying give as much info so you can recommend places she would like as I have not seen much of Italy myself as every time I went when I was younger it was to see family with my parents and we didn’t really go anywhere

This looks good £626 each for 2 weeks hotels and flights should I book this or is there a catch I’m not seeing? Girlfriend says she doesn’t want a night life local people and bar is fine
https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?packageType=fhc&c=c300010b-1364-456e-af11-64e9cd45ab33&ttla=NAP&ftla=LON&tripType=ROUND_TRIP&origin=London,+England,+UK+(LON-All+Airports)&destination=Naples+(and+vicinity),+Italy&startDate=20/7/2019&endDate=3/8/2019&checkInDate=20/7/2019&checkOutDate=3/8/2019&adults=2&infantsInSeats=0&cabinClass=e&pickUpDate=20/7/2019&time1=1030AM&dropOffDate=3/8/2019&time2=1030AM&regionId=6034774&star=40&amenities=19,27,7&sort=recommended

 

[noiseboy72]

Sorrento is great for kicking back in a bar or a bit of shopping, but if you want a bit more going on, then Naples might be better.

£100 a day for the 2 of you should be OK for food and drink. Get breakfast at the hotel, a slice or 2 of pizza for lunch and then aim to eat about 8.30 - 9pm each evening. As a family of 4, we spent €1400 on food and drink over the week - and we do like a drink or 3 as well

Ignore all the "last one" messages on websites, it's just to make you book quickly. I doubt a week will make much difference and looking on the website, there's loads of rooms still available.

I would definitely go to a travel agents. Find a good independent - we used Coop travel and got £100 back in vouchers to use in store as well, as they will be able to search all the providers. We find Jet2 were £200 each cheaper than Tui were for the same holiday in the same hotel. The planes literally took off and landed 10 minutes apart and the transfer coaches raced each other to the hotel! It's worth shopping around and having a load of online deals with you when you go into the travel agents to make them work a bit harder to match them.

 

[tony kop77]

My girlfriend talking about the hokiday wants entertainment, balcony and swimming pool she's worried that she won't get any of that if we go bed and breakfast

 

[noiseboy72]

Hmm... I think the entertainment might be a sticking point, but pool and balcony won't be an issue. Our room at the Hilton Palace had a really nice balcony overlooking the gardens (Naples Bay view would have been over £1000 extra) and the pool area was incredible, with multiple pools laid out on terraces with loads of loungers.

It sounds like she wants more of an all inclusive resort holiday, but these are really rare in Italy. You might end up in Sicily or Sardinia, as I doubt you will find anything like that around Naples.

 

[Bl4ckGryph0n]

Like the others have said; all inclusive, stay in the hotel and 'enjoy' the entertainment is not an Italy thing....That is why I love Italy so much...

Perhaps try Cyprus, Coral Bay and Paphos and the likes do those kind of holiday.

But you two need to talk as your ideas of holidays seem miles apart.

 

[tony kop77]

Girlfriend wants a swimming pool, balcony, nice restaurants, go where the locals go, day trip to Rome, pompei she wants to experience the culture and see the landmarks while also relaxing by the pool for a day or two.
I think total of £1500 should be enough for us two for food and drink and we will get [email protected] as you guys suggested she was just use to having all inclusive as she had to think of her boys in the last when she went away. This is first adult holiday as she calls it that she's going on and only other holidays I have been on is with parents to visit family in Italy so never went anywhere and once went paphos as my friends chose that as the place to get married so I don't have much experience myself

 

[Beany31]

Another vote for Sorrento. You have Naples, Pompeii, positano, amalfi coast all nearby along with Capri. Plenty of all inclusives

 

[tony kop77]

Looks like sorrento would be the best place for us to stay and spend a day in naples then a day in Rome and a day in pompei seeing the sights. Girlfriend now says she's not fussed about the entertainment so much as in the past she was thinking more of her boys she just wants to experience the culture go where the locals go etc doesn't need night life. Local bars and tavernas type places is good enough for her along with sunshine and pool

 

[LJx]

I think you need Sorrento, I don't think you get those sort of large hotels in Naples with swimming pools. It's very easy to get to places from Naples on the trains though, I took the train to Rome and it's 1 hour 10 mintes 20 euro or less I think each way advance. The local trains to Pompei, Herculaneum are easy too and are not crowded, but they don't run all the way to Sorrento so you have to use the Circumvesuviana trains instead and they are crowded.

 

[tony kop77]

Went to travel agents earlier today and sorrento and all in was £1800 for 10 nights 4 star hotel B @ B and private transfer just needed money for sight seeing and food and drinks.

Girlfriend paid £2250 for herself and her 2 boys that's 3 adult prices in Turkey she booked 3 weeks before she went and flew out in August so she thinks it's a little bit expensive. I said I liked paphos when I went 2005 and all inclusive paphos with private transfer etc £1400 each she was looking at around £800 or £900 inclusive as that's what she paid 2 years ago she's not sure if they extortionate prices or if she's naive and prices have gone up that much.

Paphos £1400 each plus eating out around 3 or 4 times or sorrento £850 plus eating out and drinks every night say £200 a night there won't be much in it I think. Do you think the prices are expensive or have they increased that much and in last 2 years and prices are reasonable which include luggage, private transfer etc

 

[noiseboy72]

Brexit means holidays are more expensive than a few years ago and Italy is not a cheap holiday destination. Sorrento is also fairly up market, which is reflected in the price.

Naples might be cheaper, but the pool might not be so large and it's likely to be more into the city.

 

[Bl4ckGryph0n]

LOL nothing to do with Brexit at all.

Everything just gets more expensive. The more people take foreign holidays the more demand there is. The more demand it means prices go up. a lot of areas have been developed and redeveloped. A lot of places have nowadays also opened up to the Russian markets which was a real boom, and don't forget the eastern European countries who also are looking at the same designations.

Ultimately it is what it is, and either you are willing to pay it or not .

 

[Bl4ckGryph0n]

Oh and don't forget this is Sorrento, you are paying for that. Totally different league to Paphos or Turkey. There is class and style. Not a cheap place to be .

 

[noiseboy72]

LOL nothing to do with Brexit at all.

Everything just gets more expensive. The more people take foreign holidays the more demand there is. The more demand it means prices go up. a lot of areas have been developed and redeveloped. A lot of places have nowadays also opened up to the Russian markets which was a real boom, and don't forget the eastern European countries who also are looking at the same designations.

Ultimately it is what it is, and either you are willing to pay it or not .

So the Pound bombing against the Euro doesn't make it more expensive to go abroad? I'm not going to get into a Brexit debate, but are you suggesting the timing of the crash was purely coincidental?

 

[Bl4ckGryph0n]

So the Pound bombing against the Euro doesn't make it more expensive to go abroad? I'm not going to get into a Brexit debate, but are you suggesting the timing of the crash was purely coincidental?

That is like saying you get a good deal following Black Friday when the prices increase before hand. Always zoom out a little to take a look at the big picture. I'm sure I don't have to explain a chart.

 

[tony kop77]

Girlfriend thought she could get all inclusive for £850 so I will say to her pay the flight, hotel and private transfers I will pay for meals and drinks each day. I think £2000 for 10 days should be enough for eating out and drinking each day in sorrento and trips to names and pompay if not the paphos trip might work out cheaper as its all inclusive although I will still want to eat out around 4 nights and go Italy next year but as I say £2000 should be enough for spending money for 10 nights for the both of us

 

[noiseboy72]

That is like saying you get a good deal following Black Friday when the prices increase before hand. Always zoom out a little to take a look at the big picture. I'm sure I don't have to explain a chart.

View attachment 1127843

You are quite right, your chart does says it all. Build up to 23rd June 2016 and the Pound value starts to drop. The vote is made and the price declines still further - pretty much to the levels of the financial crash. There's then such a hash made of the negotiations that it stays low. If Brexit was such a good deal, I would expect the graph to start to climb again. Same story against the dollar, with a small peak when the leave date was announced but the plummet continues!

 

[mjn]

Don’t forget your speedos and cap for the swimming pools in Italy.

 

[mikeysthoughts]

I honeymooned in Sorrento (2015) and have been to Rome twice now in the last 10 years. For Sorrento we used Kuoni as a travel agent and can recommend them very highly.

I'd recommend staying in Rome or Soreento, with visits to the other places you've mentioned. Naples is a bit run down and the crime rate is quite high. Maybe worth a day trip but nowt more. Sorrento has the option of a boat or bus tour of the Amalfi coast (beautiful), as well as trips to Capri (pricey!)
Rome is just stunning but you won't get much out of a day trip unless you just want to dash around to see the basics (e.g. Colosseum and Pantheon).

The Circumvesuviana trains are actually a great way to get around- cheap and reliable, and tickets can be purchased on the day. About 2 Euro 50 for a day return if I remember rightly. Don't bother paying for a coach and guided tour around Vesuvio or Pompeii, as you'll be rushed around with a big crowd and won't have time to enjoy the sites (according to the people we met in Sorrento who had booked through Thomas Cook. Apparently TC were a bit naughty by scaring this couple into buying the coach tours by suggesting the trains would likely be cancelled by strikes and they would be stranded. When they found out we had paid less than half they had, and had spent more time on site, they thought TC had taken the Parmesan).

Vesuvio is actually the better of the two sites, with more to see in a better preserved state, and is less busy as everyone else is carted to Pompeii.

PS- all of these places are hot hot hot in July-September, and filled with US cruise ship tourists.

 

[mjn]

And if you’re planning on hiring a car.......prepare to drive “Italian”

 

[Chocci]

You are quite right, your chart does says it all. Build up to 23rd June 2016 and the Pound value starts to drop. The vote is made and the price declines still further - pretty much to the levels of the financial crash. There's then such a hash made of the negotiations that it stays low. If Brexit was such a good deal, I would expect the graph to start to climb again. Same story against the dollar, with a small peak when the leave date was announced but the plummet continues!

Plummet continues?

1.18€to £ on the day before brexit vote

1.18 yesterday

If anything, holiday prices seem far cheaper since brexit. I was paying £1000 for a weeks villa holiday for 2 including flights in May 2016. I can get the same for £550 for two now,.

 

[Dororall]

Ponza is a small island, with elements of grottos like Capri just far cheaper and less busy. There's only one 'sandy' beach on the island but Ponza and the neighbouring small island of Palmarola were made to rent a boat (small or yacht, depending on your fancy) and explore the waters every day. A little snorkel here, a little siesta by a cove there and time just gets away from you. We made our way down to Amalfi afterwards and between the crowds, the ridiculous summer prices and overflow of international tourists.... I realised, our home for the summer is now and always going to be Ponza.

 

[tony kop77]

Thank you for your help guys. I have just booked holiday with girlfriend to sorrento in July for 11 nights all inclusive, bedroom with balcony and sea view and private transfer all for just under £3000 for us I thought that's good price.
Although we have all inclusive we will spend a couple of nights eating out and drinking out and have a day out in Rome and a day out in naples and a day out in pompay. Is there anything else you guys reccomend need to see while we are over there? I'm not sure how much spending money I will need to go to Rome, naples and see the sights etc

 

[noiseboy72]

Capri and / or the Amalfi coast by boat is about the only thing missing off your list. You will need an early start to get to Rome and back and see very much while you are there, but otherwise, have a great holiday

 

[mikeysthoughts]

Nice one, sounds like a great trip ahead. Most of the touristy bits aren't that expensive. IIRC, for example, the Pantheon is free and a two day pass to Herculaneum and Pompeii was 12E per person.

Capri is the one exception and is v expensive.

 

[tony kop77]

Nice one, sounds like a great trip ahead. Most of the touristy bits aren't that expensive. IIRC, for example, the Pantheon is free and a two day pass to Herculaneum and Pompeii was 12E per person.

Capri is the one exception and is v expensive.

Thank you guys. Hopefully £1000 for two of us will be easily enough

 

[mjn]

I’ve only been to northern Italy and found it to be very good on prices.

 

[mikeysthoughts]

Thank you guys. Hopefully £1000 for two of us will be easily enough

Yeah shouldn't be a problem unless you're doing a big 5* dining experience every night!

Have a look at getting a travel credit card. They offer the best exchange rates and remove the need for carrying cash around.