We (family of 4 incl 2 kids 16 and 12) are headed to Italy in May and would love recs for...

Rome (3.5 days)

Hotel
Food
Sights - Can't miss, and "don't waste your time on"


Amalfi Coast (3.5 days)

Which city along or near Amalfi Coast? (We are leaning Positano)
Food
Sights/Activities


Taormina Sicily (3 days)

Hotel - We originally had this trip planned last Summer and were ready to spring the extra $$ to stay at The 4 Seasons (White Lotus property) but the prices have literally almost tripled now here to over $5k a night so that's probably out , but we still want something overlooking the water and somewhat modern with a good location

Food

Sights/Activities : (Godfather sights are already planned as that's been on my bucket list for 30 years).

Any recs on train, transportation, and misc also appreciated!

Orlando Ayala Cant Read said:

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We are headed to Italy in May and would love recs for...

Rome (3.5 days)

Hotel
Food
Sights - Can't miss, and "don't waste your time on"


Amalfi Coast (3.5 days)

Which city along or near Amalfi Coast? (We are leaning Positano)
Food
Sights/Activities


Taormina Sicily (3 days)

Hotel - We originally had this trip planned last Summer and were ready to spring the extra $$ to stay at The 4 Seasons (White Lotus property) but the prices have literally almost tripled now here to over $5k a night so that's probably out , but we still want something overlooking the water and somewhat modern with a good location

Food

Sights/Activities : (Godfather sights are already planned as that's been on my bucket list for 30 years).

Any recs on train, transportation, and misc also appreciated!

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We did an Airbnb in both Rome and Taormina. The apartment in Taormina was fantastic and had great views, but it was a decent walk up to the main part of town. Happy to send a link (if it's still available to book) if you are interested. We also had a car in Sicily (driving was no issue).

Rome has been years, so I probably can't share the specific one we stayed in, but I sourced one for a friend of mine last year, and she was happy with it. Airbnbs in Rome are a great options IMO, if you want a very central location at a good price.

We visited Sicily in 2023, so my experience is more recent. The amphitheater in Taormina is a great visit. I don't think we did anything but just walk around (we didn't have a guide or even an earpiece), but it was still interesting with some beautiful views.

We also did a guided tour to Mt Etna and the Alcantara Gorge, which was also enjoyable. Happy to recommend the tour company, if interested.

My favorite thing to do in Rome is climb the stairs at St Peter's Basilica to the roof and enjoy the view. Go early because it's a very small space. We also did a cooking class there that is one of my most favorite things I've ever done on a vacation.

We've been to Amalfi, Positano, and Capri. I can't remember if we did Amalfi and Positano in the same day or not. Capri was a separate day trip, and I absolutely loved it. It would be hard for me to pick one. They are all beautiful, but I don't remember there being much to do in Positano beside admiring the iconic view and getting the obligatory picture. That was also way back in 2015, when I imagine crowds were much lighter.

I haven't been to Rome in years, but it's on my radar, and when a friend asked for a hotel recommendation a couple of years ago, I suggested Albergo del Senato, which is next to the Pantheon. He stayed there and said it was excellent.

I'd consider Ravello on the Amalfi coast as well. Not on the water, but the views rival Capri.

When we went over, we worked our way down from Milan. We stayed in Sorrento, Positano, and Maiori. Been 10 years, so all I remember is the sidewalk cafe in Maiori. When the owner asked where we were from, when I said Texas he immediately asked how big is our ranch.

Can you share your dates for Rome & Sicily?

I bleed maroon said:

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I'd consider Ravello on the Amalfi coast as well. Not on the water, but the views rival Capri.

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We stayed here in Rome a few years ago:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5DyuJ1ouoVkPdW4BA

We booked through Hotels.com

Right across the street from the Colosseum and a block away from the subway station (which appears to be undergoing construction at the moment on the Google aerial.) I know they were building a new line when we were there in 2019, apparently it isn't done yet.

Kreg17 said:

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Can you share your dates for Rome & Sicily?

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Without knowing the dates my recs for Rome & Sicily are below. I can extend preferred partner perks at each one listed, no additional cost to you.

Rome:
- Hotel Chapter Roma
- Palazzo Talia (2 Michelin Keys)
- Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria
- Villa Agrippina Gran Melia

Sicily:
- Therasia Resort Sea & Spa (2 Michelin Keys)
- Villa Sant'Andrea, a Belmont Hotel (Forbes Travel Guide 4 Stars)
- Rocco Forte Villa Igiea (2 Michelin Keys)
- Atlantis Bay - VRetreats

Happy to answer any questions or help with the bookings if you are interested.

Kreg17 said:

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Can you share your dates for Rome & Sicily?

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Rome May 22 - 26

Sicily May 29 - June 1

We went to Rome, Positano and Capri last May.

Rome: our favorite museum was the Galleria Borghese. We got a small group tour off TripAdvisor which was the perfect balance of guide and independent roaming the museum. It's a stunning mansion and the sculptures are awe-inspiring. Because there are times entries, it's not crowded at all.
We got a private guide for the Coliseum/palatine hill and the Vatican, which was worth every penny.

Capri was a beautiful island, and I'm so glad we stayed there. We got up early and walked out to Arco Naturale with no one else in town or on the trail. One afternoon we went to Anacapri and took the chair lift up to the top, and there were great little shops and beautiful churches in town. Be warned: between 10am-4pm, Capri is wall to wall day trippers. It was an absolute crush trying to walk through town.

We stayed in Positano and similarly, loved it in the mornings and evenings. It is spectacularly beautiful.

Rome: My family of 5 has been several times and always stayed in Airbnb's. That allowed us to spread out at the end of the day and not be on top of each other after long days of exploring. We've stayed near the Vatican in the Prati neighborhood since our main attraction was the Vatican. We always find a place very close to a metro stop. Their system is good and will get you anywhere pretty quickly.

Some things we've done:

• Vatican (St. Peters, Museums, Sistine Chapel, Climb the dome). I'd dedicate almost an entire day to this, but it's the main draw for us to Rome, so YMMV.
• Colosseum and Roman Forum. I've heard the nighttime tour is great, but we've only done during the day.
• Galleria Borghese (THIS IS A MUST VISIT). Get tickets in advance
• Spanish Steps, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona - Can visit all these places by walking in just a couple hours, depending on how much time you want to spend at each.
• Capuchin Crypt. Creepy, but really cool.

We visited in early June last year and it was HOT, so be prepared for that. Our Airbnb's had AC, but many of the restaurants and shops don't or what they do have is inadequate.