Hi Sue ,
I'm doing the trip in October. It sounds great although the hotel, especially the food is not getting very good reviews. Can you tell me where you ate on the two nights that dinner is not included?
Hi SarahS
The food in the hotel was not the best and very limited. I am hoping that with the reviews that have been submitted that thus aspect of the trip will be addressed as it is really the only down side. The 2 nights not included were organised by our tour manager however I have noticed that you are probably not going to have the same one we had. The first non hotel evening we went to the Principe restaurant. Very local to the hotel but VERY pricey. They charge you a cover charge and 22.5% service charge on your bill. The other night was a pizzeria night. That was very enjoyable and great pricing. The atmosphere in the pizzeria is friendly and you have a wide choice range. Cover charge is 1.5 euros and no service charge so it is tip what you want at the end. There is a small supermarket just around the corner from the hotel that is well priced for anything you want. I picked up large bottles of water and just kept refilling the smaller ones each day.
The drinks at dinner all go onto a tab to your room number so be aware of what you have had. Water is not free anywhere even with meals.
If you love beautiful scenery and seeing places you have only read about in text books then don't let the food put you off.
One more hint or tip. On the way to Pompeii ruins you pass a great gelateria on the right. Totally white with wonderful cakes and gelato. Not too expensive and a very wide range of flavours to suit any one. They also serve coffees etc. I know in my group most went there practically every day.
Anything else I can help you with let me know.
Sue