People visiting Italy usually want to see well-known upscale towns like Positano or Portofino, and they should. Both these seaside resort towns are breathtakingly beautiful. They are also rife with all the traps tourist favorites are famous for: higher prices and less for your money as well as pushy crowds and, finally, keeping the traveler from seeing other just-as-beautiful lower cost destinations
The Sorrentine peninsula in southern Italy is dotted with dozens of fabulous small towns high on cliffs and overlooking the crystal clear azure waters below. Most have at least one whitewashed church or cathedral, colorful outdoor cafes, picturesque restaurants with amazing views, artisan boutiques and hotels of varying levels of luxury. Positano is just one such place: the fact that the very rich may stop by in their yachts only adds to the scenery and the price tag.
Traveling the famous Amalfi Coast, I have often thought that a blindfolded visitor dropped into the main square of, say, Praiano– very near Positano– would likely not notice much difference between it and its neighboring jet-set port. Amalfi itself is a twin of both these towns, in many ways.
In Liguria to the north where Portofino and the nearby towns of Cinque Terre beckon, luxury yachts dot many harbors. There are also dozens of just-as-beautiful places to visit that haven’t yet made their way to the Travel Channel. Near the large city of Savona, the charming seaside town of Finale Ligure, for example, may be lesser known but equally enchanting. Closer to Monaco and the French border, San Remo may be a practical and lovely choice and Imperia an even bigger bargain offering the sea, great shopping and lots to see. The olive oil museum and tour of Imperia’s prestigious Olio Carli plant alone is worth an afternoon visit.
Italy enjoys an embarrassment of riches where breathtaking destinations are concerned. Practical travelers should look for lodging in lesser-known nearby town and then day trip to the wallet-shrinking tourist “must-sees.” They may be surprised to see themselves revising their list of favorite cities and towns in Italy.
Price Comparisons
Hotel comparisons for lodging in luxury towns vs. beautiful neighboring towns:
Hotel Onda Verde- Praiano
OR
Hotel Villa Gabrisi – Positano
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AND
Hotel del Golfo Oro – Finale Ligure
OR
Hotel Domina Home Piccolo – Portofino