I love the advice i've read on the forums and hope you can help me.
My husband and I have about 12-14 days to visit Italy for a 2nd honeymoon/this june 2005.

We've been there before but never together and have decided to see venice then the amalfi coast. I'm thinking positano and capri then day trips around area.
But i'm totally open to expanding and adding a city.
we loved rome would we like florence?

preliminary itinerary:
venice 3 days
fly to naples? drive to positano..
is 4 days enough to explore coastal area.. sorrento ravello etc?
then capri 2 nights
still leaves me with some days to burn..
suggestions please

we are 30 years old, want to go to dinner see sights and relax by pool and beach. Like nightlife a bit and wonder what town we should be in on weekends.. or if that is even a factor

debating car rental/hiring driver

Can go anytime in june, looking for warmer weather but not july crowds

Hotel suggestions..
we want to splurge in one of the stops
350-600 a night. which place?

in other spots we're willing to spend on average 250-300 a night

be up for a 4 star hotel if i can get a better view than spending more at a 5 star.

we prefer smaller boutique hotels, are more concerned with the room's view/terrace and pool.
dont care too much about food at hotel, since we usually go out for dinners..
don't want to get up at dawn to get a chair at pool.

From what i've read I think I'd like to be facing grand canal in venice..

some people talk about the "good side" of positano.. where le sirenuse is.. what does that mean?

and i'm stumped on capri/anacapri
some complain about the port if you stay in town.. and others say you can't get a bus to town if you stay outside.

if you have specific rooms also in some hotels you recommend that would be great too!
Thanks for your help!
B

A lot of questions here - - but I'll just offer one comment - - yes, Florence might be a good addition to your first two choices, bvut there are other good choices as well, including Verona and/or Sirmione.

And I think you will want to rent a car for a portion of this. Can't imagine where hiring a driver would fit in.

Best wishes,

Rex

Hi bwade,

Looks like a good visit.

I suggest fly into Naples, hire a driver to take you to your Positano hotel, stay 4 days and relax.

Visit the AC by public transportation.

Ferry to Capri for 2 days and 2 nights.

Ferry to Naples and train to Florence (3:36 hr on the ES*)

Four days in Florence (visit Siena), 3 days in Venice. Fly home.

Or fly into Venice and out of Naples.

You might find my trip report for Florence and the AC helpful.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

thanks so much ira and rex!

great suggestions!
i'll check out that trip report for sure.

I do not know much about Verona or Sirmione.. will research them.
Thanks
b

I hate that you are skipping right over Tuscany, my favorite place from our honeymoon last year. We really enjoyed staying in the Dorsoduro area in Venice, just off the crowded paths but still close enough to wander and enjoy everything.

thanks everyone

eroz, we are now going to tuscany..
siena and florence.. any hotel recommendations
also agree dorsoduro is a great spot in venice.. what hotel did you stay at and did you like it?

We did a similar trip last summer for our 1st trip to Italy

Venice -- 4 nights at La Calcina in Dorsoduro (room with a terrace & partial view of the Guidecca Canal)
flew Venice to Naples; ferry to Capri
Anacapri -- 2 nights at Caesar Augustus (junior suite -- unbelievable views from room & terrace!!)
ferry to Positano
Positano -- 4 nights in Albergo Miramare (superior double -- fantastic terrace and view!)
train to Rome
Rome -- 4 nights

We thought about fitting in Tuscany, but decided there was too much to see there if we averaged 3 nights each place. But you don't have Rome on your agenda so it would make more sense.

Tuscany for 2 weeks is our destination this summer!