Family Travel: Italy or Bust! Part 5

Change is the name of the game!!!

Hubby works with a lot of Italians and just now asked their opinion on my trip plans. And, of course, the had opinions!


#1 Don't take the train! "But my whole trip is arranged around the train!"
You won't like the trains.
"We loved the trains in England, Scotland, France."
The trains in Italy are not like other European trains - the government is broke.
"Oh...."
They are dirty, not on time, not reliable, etc.
"Ok, so we rent a car for 9 people and drive?"
Yes.
So on to plan B, C, or D - whichever it is now!




#2 Don't go to Salerno, go to Positano.
Well, if hubby wants to drive we can go wherever the road leads. Positano is on the Amalfi Coast and we could afford one bed at one hotel! So, since I didn't have to stay near a train station, I branched out a little (ok - a lot!). I started looking at B&Bs, farm stays, and wonderful agriturism homes.

We chose one in Sorrento.

"The Farm is situated only 100 metres from the sea, fitting perfectly into the antique village of  Marina della Lobra, immerged amongst the centuries old olive trees and the perfume of the lemon trees."

Want to come with?

So, now to rent a vehicle of sorts seating 9 people and luggage and a few car seats. I guess this means I can buy a few more leather shoes in Italy since I won't have to carry them on and off the train??? This could work out ok! I search for said people hauler van - it's less than half the cost of the rail passes. Here is a great article about "hiring" cars in Italy.

Then, I calculate the cost of fuel - $9 per gallon! Wow! But, I can pick it up on the way out of Rome at a nearby train station and return it to the airport in Rome on the way home for no extra charge.

So, all the lodging is booked. Rome (4 nights, city apartment), Sorrento (3 nights, agriturism), Florence (3 nights, city apartment), and Lucca (3 nights, organic farm stay).

Was it easy? Well, it wasn't hard - just time consuming.
First, to decide where we want to go.
Then, where we want to stay in each town.
Then, getting the apartment/farm owner to understand what we want - thank goodness for Google translator!
Then, small deposits (in Euros) had to be made to reserve the rooms and the rest must be paid in cash! That way they don't have to pay tax on the income - something close to 50%.
But it will be so worth the effort! Pizza, lasagna, alfredo, gelato everyday for almost 2 weeks!

Italy, here we come!