Firstly apologies - accidentally sent to wrong board first. Hate to clutter Fodors ..

I have my itinerary for Italy in September almost nailed down. I'd like some advice though on where to pick up a car? Trip so far:
ROME (3 nts)
SORRENTO (2 nts) for Pompeii and Paestum
FLORENCE or SIENA (2 nts)
? Somewhere In transit ... (2nts)
Venice (1 nt)
Flight to Paris, then
France 1 week with hire car.

The plan is to take a train to Sorrento, as I've heard the drive between Rome and there is a bit hairy. Am deciding whether to pick up car at Sorrento for Hill Town / Florence or whether to take train to Florence and pick up car there to do the hill towns. Still deciding between Lucca, Siena etc for in-between bits. Too hard ....

So questions are: what would be the best next stop from Sorrento, if we're heading for Florence/Venice. Secondly, where would be the best spot to exchange the train for a car?

Advice very very much appreciated and thanks for help thus far.
B

The drive between rome and Sorrento is not the least bit hairy - I can;t imagine who told you so. It's perectly straightforward! Perhaps they mean that it's difficult getting out of Rome - it is - just like any major foreign city you're unfamiliar with - you need a good street map that you study before hand.

And its perfectly easy to go from Sorento to Florence in one day - no need to stop on the way unless its in someplace you want to spend a couple of days.

B - With your itinerary I'd probably either pick up the car on leaving Sorrento ... or en route to Florence.

The best places for an easy pickup before Florence IMO are CHIUSI and AREZZO.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Hi bell,

You can easily visit Pompeii, Sorrento and Paestum by train or ferry.

Unless you are heavily burdened with luggage, I suggest training from Rome to Sorrento.

You can then hire a car, slowly drive to Florence or Siena and wend your way to Venice.

I urge you to give Venice 2 nights. As you are now scheduled it appears that you will have only one day and one night in Venice.

Thanks for all the above. I agree with Ira about Venice. But what to cut out ...!