Next Trip

On my next trip I'd like to visit Florence again to see Michelangelo's David that I missed on my last trip.

Naples and Amalfi Coast

From Naples I’d like to visit Herculaneum and Paestum. Also visit the Archeological Museum in Naples which has many exceptional artifacts from the Pompeii Ruins. Though I’ve been to Vietri sul Mare on the Amalfi coast, I’d like to see more, and to visit Capri and Sicily. The train system goes only to Vietri sul Mare (Vietri sul Mare-Amalfi stop); a bus or taxi is needed to go to the more popular Amalfi towns.

If stopping in Naples stay at Hotel Vergilius Billia, 10 Via Giuseppe Pica. A very nice 4 star hotel about a 10 minute walk from the main train station, but on a quiet side street. Re Davide is a nice restaurant attached to the hotel which also offers a €12 breakfast. The hotel has luggage storage across the street.

Take the Alibis between the airport and the main train station. You can buy a ticket in advance or pay by cash or credit card on the bus.

In Pompeii, the Hotel Diana in Pompei is excellent and is near the train station and only a 10 minute walk from the Pompeii Ruins entrance.

I would like to visit Venice, but the problem is finding a time of year when it isn't overrun with tourists (like so many great sites in Europe). According to Google mid-January to mid-February is the best time to visit to avoid crowds. Temperatures are cool (~8°C daytime high), but at least it's warmer than Canada!

Dolomites

One of the highlights of the Dolomites is to visit or stay at Rifugio Nuvolau, the mountain cabin at 2575 metres (8,450ft), on top of Mount Nuvola. Booking ahead is a most for a stay. The nearest town is Cortina d'Ampezzo, about a 20-25 minute drive away.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Rome

In Rome, I would probably return to the excellent Hotel Villa San Pio, Via di Santa Melania, 19, which is part of the Aventino San Anselmo collection of hotels. They have four hotels, three of which are close together in the Aventino section of the city (near the Massino subway stop): Hotel Villa San Pio, Hotel Aventino and Hotel San Anselmo. The other hotel is in the Termini (main train station) section: Villa San Lorenzo Maria.

For first class places to stay look at the Manfredi collection of hotels. They have four in Rome and one each in Florence and Capri. They also have a collection of restaurants in each of those cities as well as in Torino.

Florence

For a more modest accommodation, Rick Steves recommends Hotel Oceania, Via Firenze, 38. Centrally located, about a 15 minute walk to the Trevi Fountain and 30 minute walk to the Colosseum. It looks like a very nice family run hotel, and Rick notes its excellent coffee and breakfast.

Venice

Rick Steves recommends Pensione Guerrato as a top choice in Venice for its excellent location near the Rialto Market, reasonable prices, and authentic charm. It is often used for his tours, known for its helpful owners, Roberto and Piero.