Rome on a budget, also Amalfi Coast & Sicily - recommendations for romantic trip please!

[Sheryll Sorensen]

My husband and I are considering a vacation to Rome, Italy in Feb. 2011 to celebrate our 25th anniversary.  We have 2 kids in college so we are on a budget!  We do not want to stay in the city and want to also see Amalfi coast and possibly Sicily, etc. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

[Peter Parker]

Happy silver Jubilee of your wedding life.

The Amalfi Ccoast is a mixture of history and nature, with a lot to discover like the Cathedral of Amalfi, the Villas in Ravello and the many churches built during the period of the Republic of Amalfi.

However, you can get more info regarding your stay in Amalfi on following site.
http://www.amalfiscoast.com/hotel_accommodation_booking.htm

Moreover, Sicily is more than just one of the largest Islands, its multicultural society. It has all that can make your wedding anniversary glorious like beaches, Parks and Nature Reserves, Ancient Archaeological Sites, Medieval Castles and Towers etc. so explore your new way of love there.

Have a comfortable stay in Luray VA Accommodations

[Mary Jo Manzanares]

I just got back from a month in Italy last month, spending time in both Tuscany (lovely, but doesn't fit with your geographic plans) and Sicily.

I'd recommend staying on the eastern side of Sicily, between Catania (the airport on that side) and Taormina. We rented a 4 bedroom villa in a small town called Carruba, an easy walking distance from the sea. It was in the middle of a lemon grove, with the sea to the front and a view of Mt Etna from the back. Simply lovely.

Sicily is VERY affordable (I'd recommend a rental home rather than a hotel), and you can get a lot of value for your dollar.

I'd be happy to provide specifics if you decide to include in it your plans.

Mary Jo

[Jaak Nilson]

Hi,

I will add a link to my stock photos. Maybe you will find a some travel ideas what to visit in Amalfi Coast.

http://bit.ly/dnxirD

Best,
Jaak Nilson
http://www.jaaknilson.ee

[girasolereale]

Ciao Sheryll, I'm Barbara and I own Girasolereale Accommodations in Rome if can help you in february the price is from 6O euro to 90 euro x night for 2 persons depends if you choose our rome centre penthouse or our rome eur b&b or rome beach apt.
Have a look to my website girasolereale,com and send me an email.......
My friend own in Positano the hotel Flavio Gioia it is very nice and in the very centre of Positano ...the only thing is that in february most of the hotel restaurant etcc are closed so it is not the really good time to visit it, maeby I can raccomand to go few days in Saturnia Springs and few days in Positano....
About Sicily the beautifull Trapani coast with San Vito lo Capo is perfect and beautifull and from Trapani you can go by boat to Egadi Islands Favignana Marettimo ...but here too all the hotellerie are most closed
February is the holiday for the beach place people
ciao
Barbara

[Velimira Velikova]

Hello Sheryll,

My name is Vel and I work in the travel/leisure/tourism industry. If you are looking to spend some romantic time in Paris, I would recommend you book a private accommodation - quiet and peaceful apartment in the center of the most romantic city sounds more tempting than a crowded hotel, doesn't it? :) and holiday homes save you money!

Check out our suggestions, or please, feel free to contact us at [e-mail]

http://www.sunnyrentals.com/en_US/search/italy/amalfi/amalfi-sub-ar...

[Alison Turner]

Auguri (congrats), Sheryll!! This has to be a very exciting time for you and I hope you are having fun with your preparations, due both to the occasion and the place. I work for a travel company specializing in Italy so I hope you find my thoughts helpful.

First, if you are hoping to hang out on the beach and soak up the sun, February is not the time to go. Italy's climate is mild but not tropical. The beaches will warm up, literally and figuratively by the end of April and start to swing by May. August they are packed! The time of year you've selected can work greatly to your advantage for pricing as you can find some great deals and for a certain charm as these areas are not swarming with tourists. However, you may also find many hotels, restaurants, and shops closed. This can be disappointing if you are looking for a certain level of activity or particular places to be open.

Second, I can recommend my company's website, http://selectitaly.com/index.php for museum tickets and many other services. Some are budget conscious and some, frankly, are not for budget travel as they are geared toward private, luxury travel. On that point, some of them may be fun ideas for a splurge appropriate for the occasion.
Great for budget touring independently are the Rick Steve's books. He gives excellent information to "diy" tour.

Buon proseguimento!!
Ali

[Carmen (Shirkey) Collins]

Happy early anniversary!

I just returned from a honeymoon in Italy, so I can say it's a very romantic getaway.

Here's how we did it. We flew into Rome and took the high-speed train to Naples. From there, we took the regional train to Sorrento (Amalfi Coast.) We used Sorrento as our "home base" and took the bus to Positano one day, the ferry to Capri the next, and the regional train to Pompeii, with a fourth day to explore Sorrento.

Then we headed back to Rome for two days to breathe in one of the best cities in the world.

I ask, why would you not want to stay in the city? The Nicholas Inn Bed and Breakfast was a wonderful, quaint B&B only moments away from the Colosseum, and everything in Rome is walkable. I would say give it at least 2 days in the city, then spend your other days exploring the country. With the high-speed train, it's very easy!