I would appreciate info on these 2properties. How is Location(views)? Rooms? Executive floor? Service? Amenities? etc.
Any recommendation for alternative hotel on Amalfi coast/Capri(don't need FF points)
Any other tips (3 nights Amalfi-Capri 4 nights Rome)are greatly appreciated.

It will cost you a pretty penny to get around Rome from the Cavalieri Hilton. Check if they still have a shuttle. Last time we were there it did not run on Sundays (day we arrived). Public transit is possible but very time consuming from this hotel. No restaurants, etc within walking distance. It is in a residential neighborhood. Views are great and hotel was very nice. Got a bottle of wine and basket of fruit on a govt rate! Location is the pits, though. Public transit all but halts about 11 PM in Rome so don't get caught out too late or you will be talking huge cab fare to Hilton.

Again, it's a lovely property, but it just is not my idea of Rome, so I'd skip the Cavalieri Hilton!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by doc:
Again, it's a lovely property, but it just is not my idea of Rome, so I'd skip the Cavalieri Hilton!</font>

I agree Exactly with Doc... if you like night time strolling around Rome.. this is the hotel that PREVENTS that. My advice is find a hotel in the city.

Regarding the Amalfi coast, I would recommend that you stay in Positano or Amalfi/Ravello (not in Sorrent).

The best source for hotels/restaurants is
http://www.viamichelin.com/viamichelin/gbr/dyn/controller/HomePage

BTW, Hilton has a special for 3 Hiltons: Sorrento, Roma/Airport and Milano; received (and deleted!) an e-mail regarding this today.

Agree with Drtravels, the service in Sorrento Hilton was superb, Hotel is not in the center of town so there's a bit of a walk or a L25,000 taxi ride. Rooms are a bit old and not spectacular.

But the service. . . stayed there 3 nights on Point stretchers, and got access to executive lounge, which had continental breakfast, and you can even order eggs & coffee (included complimentary!!). Also we received an amenity every night (chocolates, deserts, etc.) and for our last night, they gave us a departure gift (jams, etc.). We were totally flabbergasted & absolutely impressed with the service.

We would go back to Sorrento again just for the service if nothing else.

just wanted to concur with the recs on Sorrento Palace.

this is a beautiful/interesting large hotel (normally an oxymoron)! stayed 10/23, and was given a room with an absolutely AWESOME view overlooking Mt. Vesuvius/Naples across the bay, along with the town below.

the hotel is tastefully decorated, and has some interesting features (5 cascading outdoor pools, lemon tree grove, and a beautiful if not strange [similar to the one in the movie "Meet Joe Black"] indoor pool).

the hotel restaurant we ate at, simply called "Sorrento", was some of the best (and reasonably priced) food we had in italy.

the Executive Lounge was great, low-key, and trendy (nice music mix). the staff was totally friendy, especially considering how my fiance and i came in (sweaty and with backpacks after a day riding the Naples packed train and Pompeii!), and they still treated us with great respect. showed them Gold card and was also given nice tour of room and hotel.
*********
since we also stayed on Capri, this was a great comfortable hotel to balance out the stays in smaller properties-- would definately stay here again.

PROS: best panoramic view of any place on our trip (even if you don't get the same view from your room, can still get it from ExecLounge, pool, or the restaurant which has outside seating). great staff. great restaurants/Exec Lounge. clean. modern and tastefully decorated. quiet. nice to combine with more smaller properties on trip. great value for the points/money.

CON: a 25k lira cab ride into town (don't EVEN think about walking it-- my fiance almost called off the wedding when i decided to walk back into town, downhill even, with our backpacks!).

p.s-- saw no signs of the construction that some have suggested the hotel was undergoing as part of a remodeling.

Where would you stay.

My husband and I will be going to Rome for 3 nights and 7 nights in Sorrento. All the we don't have enough points to stay at a Hilton in both cities

Which option would you pick

1) 3 nights at the caviliere and 4 nights in Sorrento Palace (Using points) the remaining four nights pay for hotel in sorrento


2) Pay for 3 nights in Rome and then spend 7 nights at the Sorrento Palace on points.

Thanx in advance for your suggestions.

Cynthia

This seems like one of those algebra problem they give you in high-school :D

You options seem like ALMOST a wash to me.

Though cost-wise 1) is better since the rate at the Cavalieri is going to be at least twice that of the Sorrento.

How may points do you have?
I assume about 220/230K, I also assume you are at least HH Gold or awards at the Cavalieri is going to be very difficult.
How about redeeming a GLON for 6 nights at the Sorrento = 150k points.
That would leave you about 80k for two nights at the Cavalieri:
a) you could pay for one or two nights there.
b) Pay for one night there and stay at the Airport Hilton the night before flying out.
c) or better still spend a paid night in some other town. Your options are unlimited, Capri, Positano or if you have a car Orvieto, Siena, San Gimignamo.

mike

Can someone give me the e-mail address for each of these hotels. We will be going to Italy beginning of September and I would like to communicate with the hotels, we will be diamond by then. Hooray!! :)

Hi Redstonelady!

We are spending a week in both places too--in October!

Please do a trip report!!!

Dawn

MissBumpMe! and I exchanged a GLONP2 for a week in Rome and got bored.
Despite the hype, I think the executive lounge is not the best Hilton has to offer. Breakfast downstairs, however, IS a wonderful event.
All rooms facing the city on upper floors seem to have a fantastic view.

After the first of our 3 nights in Sorrento we felt the same... bored.
But, we can see how people can enjoy its gergarious European charm.
There, the executive lounge features some GREAT food.
Our favorite: Fresh strawberry juice.

Those two cities/properties left us unimpressed.
Venice, on the other hand, was simply amazing.
...It's too bad there is not Hilton nearby.
When MissBumpMe! daydreams, it's VCE.

Cavalieri:
reservations.rome@hilton.com
fb.rome@hilton.com - Food and Beverage
events.rome@hilton.com
concierge.rome@hilton.com

Rome Airport Hilton:
and rm.romeairport@hilton.com

I have not personally tried to contact them via email. Good luck

Can someone give me the e-mail address for each of these hotels. We will be going to Italy beginning of September and I would like to communicate with the hotels, we will be diamond by then. Hooray!! :)

Cavalieri:
concierge.rome@hilton.com

I have not personally tried to contact them via email. Good luckI emailed the concierge last month, regarding possible changes in the breakfast amenities offered to Diamonds. As yet, I have received no response.

OTOH, my wife and greatly enjoyed our 3-day stay there last December.

Having only FT searches as my guide, does the below seem correct?

Take a cab from the Cavalieri to Rome Termini Station.
- It costs 10 to 15 Euros and takes about 15 - 20 minutes

-On Trenitalia.com book tickets from Rome (Termini not Tiburtina) to Napoli Centrale.
EuroStar 2nd class tickets and ICPlus 1st class are about 20 Euros each and are comparable in quality. It takes about 2 hours from Rome to Naples.

-From Napoli Centrale Station walk down a few flights of stairs to catch the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento that you cannot book online. The train is about 5 Euros and the trip takes 30 min.

From the Sorrento station, take a cab to the Hilton Sorrento. It's possible to walk, but many recommend a taxi with luggage due to the steepness of a hill. 10 Euros and about 5 minutes.

Having only FT searches as my guide, does the below seem correct?

Take a cab from the Cavalieri to Rome Termini Station.
- It costs 10 to 15 Euros and takes about 15 - 20 minutes

-On Trenitalia.com book tickets from Rome (Termini not Tiburtina) to Napoli Centrale.
EuroStar 2nd class tickets and ICPlus 1st class are about 20 Euros each and are comparable in quality. It takes about 2 hours from Rome to Naples.

-From Napoli Centrale Station walk down a few flights of stairs to catch the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento that you cannot book online. The train is about 5 Euros and the trip takes 30 min.

From the Sorrento station, take a cab to the Hilton Sorrento. It's possible to walk, but many recommend a taxi with luggage due to the steepness of a hill. 10 Euros and about 5 minutes.

The train in Sorrento in my opinion is not luggage friendly, and it's the last place you'll want to be after a day of travelling. Its more of a city type train (but great later on in your visit for a trip to Pompeii!) I'd try and arrange a car from the Sorrento Train station to the Hilton. We did it through a Local Uniglobe travel and it was $55Euro , about $30 euro less than booking it through the Hilton and it was the same company.

Just took ICPlus from Napoli to Rome Termini last week. 25 Euro for 1st class, which I would recommend over 2nd class for the money. The train to Sorrento is more of a commuter train. No space for any luggage, and its longer than 30 min to Sorrento. Its 30 min from Naples to Pompeii, and Sorrento is probably another 15 min beyond Pompeii.

Having only FT searches as my guide, does the below seem correct?

Take a cab from the Cavalieri to Rome Termini Station.
- It costs 10 to 15 Euros and takes about 15 - 20 minutes

-On Trenitalia.com book tickets from Rome (Termini not Tiburtina) to Napoli Centrale.
EuroStar 2nd class tickets and ICPlus 1st class are about 20 Euros each and are comparable in quality. It takes about 2 hours from Rome to Naples.

-From Napoli Centrale Station walk down a few flights of stairs to catch the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento that you cannot book online. The train is about 5 Euros and the trip takes 30 min.

From the Sorrento station, take a cab to the Hilton Sorrento. It's possible to walk, but many recommend a taxi with luggage due to the steepness of a hill. 10 Euros and about 5 minutes.

We are flying to Rome on Saturday, arriving on Sunday, Oct 23. We are staying @ the Cavalieri for 7 days and on the last day, renting a car at the Hilton and driving to the Sorrento Hilton. We went to a "independent travel in Italy" seminar a few weeks ago and they said the same thing about the trains....not at all luggage friendly! We were also told that driving in Rome is nuts, however, driving from the Hilton in Rome to the Hilton in Sorrento is quite pleasant.

So we have decided to have the car while in Sorrento and drive ourselves around the Amalfi Coast, Postiano, etc. I understand that the road around the Almalfi Coast is similar to the road to Hana, which is in fact harried, but we enjoy having a car, but not crazy enough to drive on in Rome. One the last day in Sorrento, we are driving back to FCO and spending the final night at the Airport Hilton @ FCO.

It just made more sense of us to have a car during this leg of the trip. We'll explore Sorrento on our own...on our own time. Can't wait....and counting down.

Dawn

We are flying to Rome on Saturday, arriving on Sunday, Oct 23. We are staying @ the Cavalieri for 7 days and on the last day, renting a car at the Hilton and driving to the Sorrento Hilton. We went to a "independent travel in Italy" seminar a few weeks ago and they said the same thing about the trains....not at all luggage friendly! We were also told that driving in Rome is nuts, however, driving from the Hilton in Rome to the Hilton in Sorrento is quite pleasant.

So we have decided to have the car while in Sorrento and drive ourselves around the Amalfi Coast, Postiano, etc. I understand that the road around the Almalfi Coast is similar to the road to Hana, which is in fact harried, but we enjoy having a car, but not crazy enough to drive on in Rome. One the last day in Sorrento, we are driving back to FCO and spending the final night at the Airport Hilton @ FCO.

It just made more sense of us to have a car during this leg of the trip. We'll explore Sorrento on our own...on our own time. Can't wait....and counting down.

Dawn



Dawn,

When are you doing this trip ?
We are doing the same trip in reverse July 2006.
Family of 4 two kids under 12
Fly into naples - 1 week at the sorrento hilton
Rent a car at the sorrento hilton for 1 day - drive to rome
and return the car same day at the rome hilton
Stay 1 week at the rome hilton and fly back to NJ from Rome

Scott :) :)

milesandpoints, were you referring to a car from the Sorrento rail station to the Rome Hilton for 55 euros one way? I know it's a short walk from the station to the Hilton in Sorrento so I assume you're talking about the Rome Hilton. If so, that's a very good price and I'd like to consider that for my own travels next June.

After 4 nights that the Cavalieri last month, Ms. jmd001 & I did the cab/train trek to the Hilton Sorrento. I basically concur with all the previous statements.

We took Eurostar 1st from Roma to Napoli. (Still am caught off guard about getting on a mode of tranporation where I don't have to listen to a safety announcement, don't have to put on a seat belt, and don't have to put my seat and tray table in an upright and locked position. :D )

Regarding the mode transition at Napoli between Trenitalia and the Circumvesuviana: We got snooked by a "porter" who (inspite of our protests that we did not need help) grabbed on to our 2 relatively large roller bags, took them down the flight of stairs to the lower level, then down the hall to the Circumvesuviana ticket windows, asked me for money to buy the tickets (he did give me correct change), then took the bags down one more level to the train platform. Once there, he announced the fee for his services was 20 Euros! His efforts were at least worth 5 Euros, probably 10, but sucker that I am I gave him 15.

So forewarned is forearmed.

The taxi from the Sorrento train station to the Hilton Sorrento Palace was a somewhat exhorbitant 15 Euros ... particularly considering our return trip from the hotel to the station was only about 8 Euros.

Regarding driving the Amalfi coast: For the passenger(s) in your car, a rental car may be great. But if I had had to be the driver, I would have missed an incredible amount of the scenery by having to pay very close attention to the road and the traffic. (We hired a driver.)

You are going to two of the most incredible places in the world. Enjoy.

Dawn,

When are you doing this trip ?
We are doing the same trip in reverse July 2006.
Family of 4 two kids under 12
Fly into naples - 1 week at the sorrento hilton
Rent a car at the sorrento hilton for 1 day - drive to rome
and return the car same day at the rome hilton
Stay 1 week at the rome hilton and fly back to NJ from Rome

Scott :) :)

We are flying out of Sacramento tomorrow @ 7:00 a.m. We'll be at the Cavalieri on Oct 23-29, @ the Sorrento Hilton on Oct 29-Nov 3, and Nov 4 at the Airport Hilton in Rome.

My husband has been told that he will miss a lot if he is driving, but he said that is okay and that we can trade off (great, I said). He really prefers to drive. It has more to do with coming and going whenever we want, staying as long as we like, leaving as soon as we want, etc. We are hiring a private driver in Rome, but Sorrento we'll do on our own. And you are correct because he missed most of the Hana Highway too!!!

Dawn

One of several high points of our stay in Sorrento was a drive up to Ravello. Definately, since you have a car, one of the best uses of it while you are in Sorrento.

This is getting a bit off-topic, but...

...In Ravello, we had lunch at Ristorante Salvatore. OUTSTANDING food and view! Highly recommend it.

(From Ravello's Piazza Duomo walk through the tunnel near Villa Rufolo; the restaurant is about another 100 ft on your right, and down some steps. Eat on the patio, weather permitting.)

This is getting a bit off-topic, but...

...In Ravello, we had lunch at Ristorante Salvatore. OUTSTANDING food and view! Highly recommend it.

(From Ravello's Piazza Duomo walk through the tunnel near Villa Rufolo; the restaurant is about another 100 ft on your right, and down some steps. Eat on the patio, weather permitting.)

Thanks a lot! I just printed that out!!!

We attempted to make a reservation @ Don Alfonso's 1890 for our 14th wedding anniversary but found out it is closed for a couple of months. Serious renovations. :( Looking for an alternative restaurant for our anniversary so thanks!!!!

Dawn

Quick questions - :)

Does the hotel have ethernet ( internet ) access in each room ?
Is there a charge per day ? Do they provide ethernet cables ?

Thanks

Scott

Quick questions - :)

Does the hotel have ethernet ( internet ) access in each room ?
Is there a charge per day ? Do they provide ethernet cables ?

Thanks

Scott

Sorrento, yes. There is ethernet, cable and charge.

Also Hilton Rome Airport.

Experience is limited in Clubrooms.

TV

. Going from Rome Cavellierei to Hilton Sorrento Palace.Has anyone done this by either direction and know if the following are possible
1) Private car ,IMJ 2-300 Euro and Expensive
2) Train FCO- Sorrento (would not want to go to Naples and take a ferry)
If there is a train ? Which station in Rome and is there a train station at FCO airport to get off an INTL. flt. and just get on the train to Sorrento.Is this a locaal train or High speed no stop?
3) car rental? If we do this does the Hilton Sorrento Palace charge for parking?Having a car seems like agood option for Pompeii, Amalfi coast..etc.

Several years ago my husband and I used www.sorrentolimo.com to go from the Sorrento Hilton to the Cavalleri. We made a stop in Pompeii on the way to Rome (definitely worthwhile). We also used them for a tour of the Amalfi coast. They were reliable.

If you use the train option then be aware that you will need to change trains in Naples to get the Circumvesuviana train that goes to Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento. The entire trip iirc, takes about 2 1/2-3 hrs. if you take the Rome-Naples portion via Eurostar. It is quite easy to change trains in Naples, as long as you do not have a lot of luggage, as you will need to go down one level to get the Circumvesuviana train. If you want to go FCO to Naples by train, you will also have to change trains in Rome at the main station- termini.
Car rental probably makes more sense, there is however a parking charge at the Hilton Sorrento, iirc it is about Euro 12/night. For car rental I am always happy to recommend Auto Europe, and in Italy insurances are not optional but required, which will most definately make for a more expensive rental than in other European countires. Driving the Amalfi coast is fantastic and also quite challenging, best done in the off season, as there is a serious traffic problem in the summer.

Several years ago my husband and I used www.sorrentolimo.com to go from the Sorrento Hilton to the Cavalleri. We made a stop in Pompeii on the way to Rome (definitely worthwhile). We also used them for a tour of the Amalfi coast. They were reliable.


We just got back - we did the trip in reverse.
We spent a week in sorrento at the hilton and then I week in rome at the Cavalieri. We used sorrento coast drivers to take use from sorrento to rome and they were great. $300 euro's

If you have any other questions pm me

Scott

Dont quite understand if you are going FCO straight to sorrento or staying at the Cavalieri. Heres some tips.
I drove from sorrento hilton to cavalieri in 2 1/2 hrs. Parking at sorrento is 15 euro per day. You can drive right down in to Amalfi. Positano makes you park way up on the hill and walk down and back. A day trip there is much better taking the ferry from Sorrento. Pompeii is easy to get to from sorrento on the local train. stops very close to the ruins. No parking fee or traffic hassles.
The train from FCO to Rome Central is very easy. You can take the train from there to Sorrento. You change trains in Napoli, go downstairs and take the sorrento local. Hilton is a ten minute walk from the Sorrento station. A cab will cost 15 euro for a 4 min ride. Real Ripoff. If you go to Sorrento first, then rent a one-way car to the Cavalieri. You will save the extra 50 euro airport fee. The one and only Bargain at the Cavalieri is self parking. Only 5 euro per day. Lots of folks say a car in Rome is crazy. Ive become quite accustomed to driving there and its really not bad at all. You get the option of not being chained to the hotel shuttle bus. You can get around the hotel neiborhood for groceries etc. You can get to the vatican (no shuttle) and you save quite a bit on taxis. Parking is just like any major city. scarse. You just find a nice area near to where you want to go and go round and round the block until a space opens up. If you want to get really daring and go right into the heart of Rome. Try going in the first time on a sat or sunday morning. No traffic. Any more questions feel free to ask. Cheers Rwill11

I used to live in Rome and owned a car there I drove throughout the city. I wound not recommend renting a car to a first time visitor. Train or, if you have the money, hired car is the best way go to. The staff at the Cavalieri is most helpful if you go there first.

I'm doing it slightly different. Flying PHL to FCO arriving on a Saturady. My wife, who will have 2 oversized suitecases, and I are then going to Capri for 2 nights then returning to Rome and staying at the Cavalieri for 6 nights. Would it be best to take a train to Naples or hire a driver?

I know nothing about the Italian rail system so I'm wondering how hard it will be to get on a train with all the luggage. It seems easier to hire a car.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Do the Rick Steve's trick. Have your wife load her 2 oversized suitcases. Then take her downtown for 2 hrs of shopping. Make her haul all that extra crap around. Then see if she can make it with 1. ^ A driver will cost over 250 euro. ouch.

Do the Rick Steve's trick. Have your wife load her 2 oversized suitcases. Then take her downtown for 2 hrs of shopping. Make her haul all that extra crap around. Then see if she can make it with 1.

I can easily have her pack and it would VERY EASY to have her shop for 2 hours. Actually no it wouldn't. Two hours is far too short a time. Having her carry it? That ain't happening. Worse, now she'll take 4 suitcases and I'll be stuck living out of a briefcase. :p

I took a bus from Rome to Sorrento (just 10 days ago) Very easy, no change of trains in Napoli. On the way back to Rome I actually signed up for a day trip to Napoli from the hotel. They picked me up at 8 AM from the hotel, then we went for a sightseeing tour of Napoli, Archeological museum included (that's where most of Pompei finds are) Dropped me off at the train station at 4PM and I got on the next train to Rome. So for a mere 45 E I got to see Napoli and got dropped off at the train station. It worked very well for me.
Good luck!

I will be traveling to the Hilton Cavaleri Rome then on to the Hilton Sorrento Palace for 5 nights. Once in Sorrento we plan on visiting the Amalfi coast, Pompei, possible Capri, and other close places. These will all be day trips from the Hilton Sorrento Palace which we will use as our base:
I have done a search and it appears my options to go from Hilton Cavaleri to the Hilton Sorrento Palace and back to the Hilton Cavaleri are :
1) Fly to Naples from Rome and and take a ferry to Sorrento, then travel by cabs,private cars, bus, ferrys, and return either by private car or reverse route to Naples then Rome by Air
2)Take a train to Naples,then another train to Sorrento,( many posts say this local train to Sorrento from Naples does not accomadate luggage well) then travel by cabs,private cars, bus, and ferrys for our touring
3) Private car to Sorrento from Rome,then travel by cabs,private cars, bus, and ferrys for our touring then private car back to Rome from Sorrento
4) Rent a car in Rome for 6 days ,drive to Sorrento (another post I read said this is approx. a 3 hour drive)and use it to tour the amalfi coast , and other sites (except Pompei which seems to be done best by train) then drive the rent car back to Rome.The only part that bothers me about this is driving back into the City of Rome. Other posters say driving the Amalfi Coast is White Knuckle ,but I think I would be fine.
5) Final choice seems to be Train to Naples, ferry to Sorrento, and cab to Sorrento Palace, which seems like a lot of changing especialy in January
so I expect it could be rainy and chilly
If any of you have done this or a similar version please advise, as I have read all the posts I can find and havent found this one yet.

Got back from Hilton Sorrento Palace last month. I can tell you that from Naples there is another and much cheaper option. There is an Hourly bus service from Naples Airport to the town square in Sorrento. It costs 8 Euro's per person each way. The bus takes about 75 minutes. From the square it is about a 10 minute walk to the Hilton. (This would not be very pleasurable with luggage). Taxi in the square costs about 12 Euro to the Hilton. The bus from the square costs 1.50 Euro. A taxi from the Airport to Hotel before 8PM costs 80 Euro, after 8PM its 100 Euro. I used the hotel arranged Taxi's which are large Mercedes because I was feeling lazy. The drivers booked by the hotel all speak English.

Hope this helps

Option 4
Rent a car and just drive, less hassle, more fun and may be cheapest in the long run.
You can pick up?drop off an Avis or Europecar vehicle at the Cavalieri.
Just remember to drive with some assurance if you going in certain direction just go, other drivers will make sure not to hit you.
On the Amalfi Coast one has to watch out for the bike/Vespa riders who will ride down the centre of the mostly one lane each-way roads.
Driving in Italy is good part of the fun of visiting that country.

Getting back into Rome try and avoid arriving at rush hour or getting on/off the Ring road may take as long as the drive from Sorrento.

When entering the city keep a eye out for the hills the radio-towers and bingo the turn off to the Cavalieri and also remember the Cavalieri is on the other side of the river.

mike

We rented a car and drove during our time at the Sorrento Hilton. My husband is fearless, and coped just fine with the narrow, winding roads. We attempted to drive in Naples one day; that was insane. There was very poor signage, and we kept going in circles.

We picked the car up at the Naples Airport, so I am afraid I don't have advice about returning with it to Rome.

car works real good. sorrento to cavalieri Take Rome great ring rd towards airport. Get off exit 1 go right and follow signs for citte vatican. when st pietro is on your right. go (left) on Trionfale sic. up the hill and your there. simple, dont over think it, its easy ^ PS you can have a nice late breakfast at sorrento say 10 am, check out and drive to rome and arrive at 1 oclock no hassle no traffic and your room is ready when you get there ^

Another option is Marozzi bus between Rome (Tinburtina station) and Sorrento (Piazza Tasso). You can take the bus all the way to Sorrento without change to another transportation then a short cab ride to Hilton Sorrento once arrived Piazza Tasso.

We rented a car and drove during our time at the Sorrento Hilton. My husband is fearless, and coped just fine with the narrow, winding roads. We attempted to drive in Naples one day; that was insane. There was very poor signage, and we kept going in circles.

We picked the car up at the Naples Airport, so I am afraid I don't have advice about returning with it to Rome.

I've driven the route from Rome. Easy to do as it is highway only. This year I travelled from Rome to Nova Yardinia and then headed to Naples. Highway to Naples is great but with lots of curves. All pay roads I experienced are excellent quality ^ Max driving speed is confusing. It's 130 km/h on most highways. If I went like that, even buses passed me :D I found it's comfortable to drive at 150-160 km/h (arround 100 mph). I was still passed by lot of cars. Pocket size Fiats are fantastic and they could that quick only in their homeland :D

Driving in Naples was pure fun! Enjoy it, feel it, get satisfaction! It is illigal and strictly prohibited in most parts of the Western civiliasation! :D You can do whatever you want (almost). Drag racing is the way they start to drive, as much lanes as it is physically possible and about an inch between two cars ir just fine. Any turn may suddenly happen regardless of the traffic light, there are lot of bikers and pedestrians as well. Music from Tarantino movies supports the enjoyment. My son and absolutely enjoyed that. I must admit my wife was scared. Driving in California calm, polite and slow compared to that :D

I'd advise to get a car with navigation system. I rented one from Hertz, it was equipped with portable version of Neverlost - it does help a lot. I also got diesel car - it took about 8l / 100 km (~28 mpg) on average (including 200 km/h and driving in towns).

We did this in 2005. We were at the Cavalieri for a week and on the last day, we rented a car from the Hilton. We got directions from the car rental and drove to Sorrento. My husband is pretty fearless to when it comes to driving and we had a great time. It was at our pace and we could stop when we wanted to.

We didn't want to drive back to Rome and then get to the airport so we chose another option. We stayed 5 nights in Sorrento and then we drove to the airport and spent our final night there. Driving to FCO from Sorrento was a BREEZE! There are SIGNS EVERYWHERE! You can't miss the airport. I was so glad we did this because we were able to relax the final evening and stay at another Hilton property in Europe. In the morning we just walked to the terminal and it was hassle free.

Driving to the Amalfi coast was fine. The roads are very nice and not tiny like Ireland! We enjoyed it so much, we ended up driving there 3 days. We took a ferry to Naples, which was the only thing we regret. If given that choice again, we would take the ferry to Capri. We walked down to the ferry...very easy walk.

Besides the ferry to Naples, we would do the exact same thing again.

Dawn

We took the bus from Rome to Sorrento, cab to the hotel in Sorrento (it's a short walk but it's uphill) and then on the way back we signed up at the hotel for a day trip to Napoli (pick ap at the hotel) We did the tour and the tour bus dropped us off at the train station in Napoli at 4 PM and we got on the next train to Rome. Worked out pretty well
I personally don't really care much for driving 'excitement' when on vacation I get plenty of it back home in Boston