Naples, Pompeii & the Amalfi Coast - Italy - page 515

Other Islands of the Amalfi Coast
Capri isn't the only island here but it's the most picturesque and certainly the most
romantic. If you aren't bothered by lack of amenities, you should consider a day
trip to Ischia, which is a quick boat trip from Naples, Capri, or the coast. You can
tour the island on the local bus for under € 5. You'll also want to leave time for a
dip in its therapeutic thermal waters, which are popular with many German
tourists. Go to www.ischiaonline.it for general information; www.venere.it has the
best hotel deals.
Procida, used as a movie set for The Talented Mr. Ripley, is a small, peaceful
island that you may want to consider visiting. With so many alternatives, I
wouldn't stay here unless you had time to spare. For more information, check out
www.procida.net.
SORRENTO

5
It is no coincidence that many visitors to the Amalfi coast choose Sorrento as a
base. This is both its appeal and its biggest problem. The town, which sits high
above the sea, is known for its gorgeous cliff-top views. But Sorrento is also
beholden to tourists, and it's hard to find anyone here who isn't sustained by the
tourism industry. This explains why the town has numerous comfortable and
often expensive hotels and restaurants, and also why it's the least traditional and
“authentic” of the Amalfi Coast towns. Still, it's well connected by trains and is
easy to navigate in English. The old town sprawls out from the main square,
Piazza Tasso, and most of the best hotels are around the Via Capo, the busy
coastal road. In the summer months, it's mandatory to book ahead.
For private apartments in Sorrento and all along the coast, check out www.
sorrentotourism.it , which is updated frequently.

(Corso Italia, 167; % 081-8774906;
www.casastarita.com) is the best deal in town. What started as a summer business
out of their home for the Astarita sisters has turned into one of Sorrento's loveli-
est bed-and-breakfasts. While the rooms are gorgeous—colorful majolica-tile
floors, family antiques—it's the warm atmosphere of the common parlor, where
the friendly hostesses often socialize with guests over glasses of house-made limon-
cello, that makes this such a great choice. Rooms start at € 80 a night for a dou-
ble. Breakfast is homemade by Signora Annamaria.

555

Bed & Breakfast Casa Astarita €€

€€ Hotel De'sire' (Via Capo, 31b; fax [phone]) overlooks the sea and
offers some of the brightest rooms in Sorrento at an incredible price, starting as
low as € 60 in the off season. The highlights of this hotel are a private elevator
down to the beach and the panoramic terrace above.

€€ - €€€ Hotel Il Faro (Via Marina Piccola, 5; % 081-8781390; www.hotel
ilfaro.com) is another good value, with rooms starting at

10
a day for a room with a sea view), which is definitely on the economical end along
this coast. Room decor is stuck in the 1970s, and the breakfast is mediocre (with
no fruit included), but with the money you save, you can go out for a morning
meal in the old town.

€

100 a night (add

€