Rome, Sorrento and Capri (Leger Holidays)

Member Name: lovlielizz

Product:	Leger Holidays
Date:	11/07/03 (564 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Value, Local Guide, Hotels

Disadvantages: Early starts, Crime in Rome- be vigilant

Leger Holidays were wonderful. Three of us went to Sorrento and Fiuggi nr Rome, for a total of 7 nights/eight days, by air, and the whole experience was superb.
The first hotel in Sorrento, whilst lacking a swimming pool (though few hotels in Sorrento do have a swimming pool) was beautifully decorated, air conditioned, extremely clean with helpful and friendly staff. The food at the Hotel Zi Theresa was excellent, although some of the party found the vegetarian meals restrictive, I was pleased in that I fully expected the notoriously meat eating Italians to provide quite poor vege meals and so was surprised to find that I could actually eat. The transfer from the airport was smooth and we were met by the guide who would spend a week with us.
"Maria" the Italian rep was the best guide Ive ever come across; helpful, knowledgable and humorous, she MADE our holiday. Her english was excellant and she stayed with us throughout the tour, only leaving whilst handing us over to guides she herself approved when she had to (ie, in rome and Pompeii, local guides MUST be used, or else the tour guide is fined).
After three days of touring Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, Vesuvius and Pompeii, with early starts to pack as much in as possible, we headed north to Fiuggi a spa town, to the Hotel Mondial Park, with swimming facilities, a disco and five course dinners! Again, this hotel was wonderful, although perhaps not quite as accomadating at the Zi Theresa in that the owners couldnt speak english (Fiuggi is a spa town mainly popular with Italians who spend summers there to cool down- the cooler climate was welcome for us brits too though!) However the rooms were beautiful, air conditioned, clean, and some with luxuries such as jacuzzi baths etc (nb- luck of the draw as to who gets these, as only some rooms had these- though all were furnished to a high standard). Again, the included food was wonderful, sadly the kitchen was completely confused by the id
ea of a vegetarian, making up with quantity for what the diet lacks in meat- one night I had 12 plates brought out to me- 8 of which were for my main course!
This part of the holiday was a chance to relax, and see Rome and Castel Gandalfo, a beautiful little town and summer residence of the pope.
Value for money was excellant, the last two excursions were included, although those for Vesuviuss and Pompeii, the tour around Capri and the mini cruise to Amalfi werent. Even so, a week half board at 3* hotels with a guide at around £500 pp is brilliant.
Also as we had a full day between checking out of the hotel and going home, Maria organised a tour around a monastery, with an optional 11 euro dinner, something unexpected. This was great, and showed the care that a local guide was able to give.
The holiday was superb, far more enjoyable than a pool holiday, allowing you to explore Italy in a whistle stop manner, and see all the sights with a guide, feeling safe and looked after.

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