Marija, I think I will be in Naples the same time as you (arriving 9/16.) It will be my first time as well.
Just wanted to let you know - there is a special fare on trenitalia for 19 euros between Naples and Milan (you'd have to then connect to a train for Torino.) IF you can get it to work which I understand isn't so easy, but some seem to manage.

I have also looked at Torino apartments and they are few and far between.. though often very reasonable! Here is one that has good reviews on the homelidays website:

http://www.homelidays.co.uk/torino/a...-307684en1.htm

I agree with Zeppole to pick up Italy for the Gourmet Traveler if you don't already have it but that book weighs 3 pounds! So plan on making photocopies of what you need and leaving the book at home. :)

Rialtogrl, thanks for the info. We'll be arriving on the same day from London. Where are you staying? I'm thinking of flying Naples to Torino on Air Italy. It's 64 euro each, not bad. The Torino apartment looks good, except that it's 15 minutes by bus/car from the city center. I want something that's walkable. I have ordered the new Italy for the Gourmet Traveler, expecting delivery today.

Thanks Holly & Marija, you are very kind - I will try.

Hi Marija,
We are staying at an apartment close to the Castel Nuovo and Piazza Municipio. 64 euros is definitely not bad! Yes, it would be nicer to stay in the heart of Torino...

Let me know if you want to get a glass of wine with us in Naples - we will be there until the 23rd. There is a procession/celebration on Sunday - San Gennaro
http://www.portanapoli.com/Eng/Cultu...d_miracle.html

and an antique market all weekend
http://www.napoliunplugged.com/Antiques-Market.php

I wish I had longer than a week!

PS I know a great guide in Piemonte... he charges 200 euros a day but it is a LONG day. He can take you to towns, wineries, etc and then you don't have to worry about getting around by train/bus. He took us on a white truffle hunt - but you might be too early for that. He is ALL about food and wine.
Here is his website if you want to check that option out.
http://www.buongustotours.it/

Hello Marija and thanks for ordering my book, Italy for the Gourmet Traveler. I have read the comments above, most of which are very fine, and will add my own. First of all, do not make Positano a base as it is highly inconvenient from a transport point of view. People go there to stay there. Naples is a wonderful, vibrant, fascinating city that also has street crime, as many cities do. So I would advise the same caution and vigilance you would take elsewhere. The best transport to outer areas is by the many ferries. A good compromise, if you wish, is to stay in Sorrento. It is pretty, fun and more authentic than the gorgeous Amalfi coast towns. Certainly touristy, but in a charming way. There is a train there called the Circumvesuviana (around Vesuvius) that takes you to Naples in about an hour. To visit Pompeii, go to the stop called Pompei Scavi. As for Torino in the north, it is a wonderful, sophisticated city with a great opera (the Regio) and concert hall (Lingotto), the Egyptian Museum, fantastic caffes, and more. Use it as a base for trips into Piemonte in towns listed in my book. You might also take a day trip north to Aosta and perhaps Cogne, both in Valle d'Aosta, the gorgeous Alpine region north of Piemonte. You can contact me via www.fredplotkin.com if you have other questions. Buon viaggio, Fred

Caroline: Until you get to doing a trip report, how about telling us where you stayed on your last trip to Naples, and what you thought of the place/location, etc.?

I can also strongly recommend Buongusto tours. We had a simply marvelous day in June of this year with them. I also recommend spending a few days in Alba - we had a car and stayed at a B&B outside the city proper, but we really like Alba and would return to that part of Piemonte again.

Hi Holly : my TA review of the hotel is here - http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

Very helpful, Caroline. How walkable is the Neapolis from P. Garibaldi with rolling luggage? I'm thinking something just a little closer to P. Municipio might be easier to navigate.

Hi Holly. It's about equidistant from Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Municipio - about 1.3km or a mile from each. We chose to catch the airport bus to and from its second stop. by the port, as (based on previous experience) we thought it would be an easier walk with rolling luggage, and I think we were right. We stuck to broader streets with better pavements as far as possible and it was quite painless - let me know if you want me to check the route we walked. We walked to and from Piazza Garibaldi to get the trains to Pompeii and Herculaneum but that's a less straightforwatd route involving little windy streets.

Certainly we found our previous hotel, the Executive, a more convenient location as it was only 5-10 minutes from the airport bus stop, lots of other bus stops and the port, and would prefer that location especially if staying longer.