I will give a detailed review below but before i have a question for Julia/Will.

I spoke to some of the other people on the trip and they said that originally you were using BA however they received a letter at a later point stating you had swapped to Alitalia. Please could i ask why? It's just that with air Alitalia, we had to change at Milan and it was a nightmare, adding what seems unnecessary stress and about 6 hours onto our journey time back home. Please if it is a case of cost cutting, please dont do this again- im sure the majority will be willing to pay extra to avoid this type of stress.

OK, so moan over and back to the holiday- a huge success and something i would advise anyone considering Italy to do. Initially i was supposed to go to sicily but due to several issues i chose this holiday instead. i wasnt expecting much but JY and Italy delivered.One of the added charms is that this region is not overrun with tourists and as such maintains some of it's serenity and is a lot cheaper!

The hotel is really nice. All rooms were spacious, and each had a tv, ranging from the basic to Samsung flat screen with shy hd however noone could get english channels so unless you speak Italian, its pointless.

Castellbate is a quirky lovely town near to the hotel. It only takes 15 minutes to get there and we went with our tour guide and a local guide. There are amazing souvenir shops however beware that most close between 1 and 5 and the majority of people went back with free time. There are buses from the hotel to the village every hour or so at 1.20 euros- bargain!

Paestum, Mozerrela testing- A good, relaxing day. Paestum is not intensive, and anyone with an interest in history and architecture will enjoy this trip. The souvenir shops are a dream. The mozerrella tasting was good. I hate cheese, and even i like it. The difference was that it was made with milk from buffalo which we saw at a later point at a buffalo farm. Be aware there's a 10 euro entrance fee for anyone below 65.

Salerno is a decent trip, with a stunning cathedral that i advise all to see. Other than that, there's nothing much to do in Salerno. There are very few souvenir shops but nice range of cheap cafes and restaurants.

Elia Velia- Not as exciting as Paestum but still a nice trip. Theres a lot more walking on inclined slopes and im afraid as it was scorching i stayed in the cafe across the street.

Amalfi and Ravello- I have never been to this part of Italy and i am aware of it's reputation and it completely lives up to it. However for me this is was the least enjoyable of the trip simply because the amount of people and traffic in the small place. I was with a woman who had difficulties walking and there are a lot of steep slopes with traffic that made it a test of reflexes. These places are classic examples of how a place's beauty can be it's ultimate downfall. The cathedral is the best part and contains the crypt of St Andrew's relics. Very catholic but very beautiful!

Cilento National Park- for me the best excursion. To think i was going to catch up on sleep! A lot of travelling but all worth it! We go through amazing countryside and visit the abandoned town of Roscigno (whose mayor was killed by the Mafia), and the town of Padona.

Any questions, let me know!

Markx

Thanks for your review and in answer to your question about the flights.

We work many months in advance in times for hotels to be contracted, brochures to be printed and to be able to offer our customers a good range of future dates. A natural consequence of planning that early, is that occasionally airlines will changes their flight schedules. On this particular date, British Airways were no longer able to accommodate our group and as such we needed to source an alternative airline - in this case it was Aitalia.

Kindest regards,

Julia

I went to the Amalfi coast in September two years ago (with, dare I say, another company on a walking holiday) and I can fully sympathise with your problems in Ravello and Amalfi. In Ravello the place was absolutely heaving with tourists (mainly German teenagers) and in Amalfi the afternoon of my visit coincided with the invasion of a cruise ship's passengers. As a result one could hardly move and, in fact, in Amalfi it was impossible to cross the road to go into the old town because of the sheer pressure of guided groups and tour buses, so I never got further than the bottom of the steps up to the cathedral.

One other point - you do need a head for heights as the roads in the Amalfi region cling to the sides of the mountains with barely room for two vehicles to pass each other.

Ann

Thanks, i completely agree. On reflection, it's what made the rest of the holiday so special- no crowds!

Mark

Good review sounds like you had fun..glad you got the answer to your question re airline. I agree there Ice cream is amazing...but you do feel at least one a day is required!!

Cindy

Cheers,

Bob

Hi

I will give a detailed review below but before i have a question for Julia/Will.

I spoke to some of the other people on the trip and they said that originally you were using BA however they received a letter at a later point stating you had swapped to Alitalia. Please could i ask why? It's just that with air Alitalia, we had to change at Milan and it was a nightmare, adding what seems unnecessary stress and about 6 hours onto our journey time back home. Please if it is a case of cost cutting, please dont do this again- im sure the majority will be willing to pay extra to avoid this type of stress.

OK, so moan over and back to the holiday- a huge success and something i would advise anyone considering Italy to do. Initially i was supposed to go to sicily but due to several issues i chose this holiday instead. i wasnt expecting much but JY and Italy delivered.One of the added charms is that this region is not overrun with tourists and as such maintains some of it's serenity and is a lot cheaper!

The hotel is really nice. All rooms were spacious, and each had a tv, ranging from the basic to Samsung flat screen with shy hd however noone could get english channels so unless you speak Italian, its pointless.

Castellbate is a quirky lovely town near to the hotel. It only takes 15 minutes to get there and we went with our tour guide and a local guide. There are amazing souvenir shops however beware that most close between 1 and 5 and the majority of people went back with free time. There are buses from the hotel to the village every hour or so at 1.20 euros- bargain!

Paestum, Mozerrela testing- A good, relaxing day. Paestum is not intensive, and anyone with an interest in history and architecture will enjoy this trip. The souvenir shops are a dream. The mozerrella tasting was good. I hate cheese, and even i like it. The difference was that it was made with milk from buffalo which we saw at a later point at a buffalo farm. Be aware there's a 10 euro entrance fee for anyone below 65.

Salerno is a decent trip, with a stunning cathedral that i advise all to see. Other than that, there's nothing much to do in Salerno. There are very few souvenir shops but nice range of cheap cafes and restaurants.

Elia Velia- Not as exciting as Paestum but still a nice trip. Theres a lot more walking on inclined slopes and im afraid as it was scorching i stayed in the cafe across the street.

Amalfi and Ravello- I have never been to this part of Italy and i am aware of it's reputation and it completely lives up to it. However for me this is was the least enjoyable of the trip simply because the amount of people and traffic in the small place. I was with a woman who had difficulties walking and there are a lot of steep slopes with traffic that made it a test of reflexes. These places are classic examples of how a place's beauty can be it's ultimate downfall. The cathedral is the best part and contains the crypt of St Andrew's relics. Very catholic but very beautiful!

Cilento National Park- for me the best excursion. To think i was going to catch up on sleep! A lot of travelling but all worth it! We go through amazing countryside and visit the abandoned town of Roscigno (whose mayor was killed by the Mafia), and the town of Padona.

Any questions, let me know!

Markx

Hi

First of all let me stress I am not being paid by JY for this. If you want a taste of rural Italy, no crowds, cheap, small non-touristy towns, and a idea (not really a rule) that suggests two ice creams a day, then you really cannot do better than Calabria. The hotel is first class, and very comfortable. I went at the beginning of September when it was quiet!! Loved it.

Regards

Sylvia

I completely concur with everything you have said on the review about the area, hotel etc. It's a lovely part of the world.