My husband and I are going to Italy in mid- August for 2 weeks- our 30th anniversary. We have never been before. My plan now is:
1) fly to either Rome and take train, or fly straight to the Amalfi coast- 4 nights to see
Pompeii, Capri, etc
2) train to Rome for 3 nights
3) rent car and drive to Tuscany for 6 nights, stay in one place (not sure where) and drive to surrounding towns.
Fly home from Florence or Rome?
If anyone could PLEASE comment on the travelling, itinerary, towns to stay in, etc,
I would be very appreciative!!!!

In general your itinerary sounds fine - 3 locations, starting south and ending north. Flying into Naples and out of Florence or Pisa will save you from having to back-track. From where are you flying, and do you have a preferred airline? Naples or Florence will require a stopover at a European hub. London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Zurich, Munich, Paris, or Rome would probably all offer some sort of connection.

Pisa and Rome have non-stop service to/from the US (NYC). When flying my rule of thumb is non-stop whenever possible, one stop with European hub 2nd choice.

There are lots of options in Tuscany. Do a search of some of the posts by bobthenavigator. He and others have posted a wealth of info about traveling in Tuscany, with detailed itinerary ideas.

I'm not as familiar with AC, but I'm sure others will chime in.

We stayed right outside of Pienza(which is fabulous) in Tuscany at a place called Fonte Bertucci....It is on trip advisor. Or you can google it. We liked it alot. We went to Montelcino, Montelpulciano, Siena,San Gimignano and several other towns. It was in a good location. In Rome we stayed At Hotel Lancelot and in Florence we stayed at the Loggia de Serviti. It was great...request room #19. It was a corner room -big-with a great view. I'd recommend both.

Can't help with Capri. That will have to be our next trip!

Fly into Naples and get a driver to your hotel--perhaps in Positano but you are really late and August is very busy.
Get you car in Sorrento as you leave the coast and drive to your Tuscany base. End in Rome and fly home from there. Hope this helps--here is my Tuscany list:

BOB’S FAVORITE DIGS IN TOSCANA

A. RURAL LOCATIONS: All have parking and good food options nearby

1. Relais La Saracina www.lasaracina.it 230 to 300E
Fabulous country home near Montepulciano—helpful owners

2. Cretaiole Agriturismo http://www.cretaiole.it/ Good value for families

3. Terre di Nano www.terredinano.com 100 to 155
Both rooms and apartments at rural Agriturismo near Monticchiello

4. Casanova di Pescille http://www.casanovadipescille.com/ 100E
Rural B&B 3 KM from famed San Gimignano—we loved the views of San Gim.

5. Fattoria Tregole www.fattoria-tregole.com 110E to 180E
Has both B&B and apartment accommodations. Near Castellina in Chianti

6. Agriturismo apts. near San Quirico— www.poggiolo.info/ About 110E

B. IN-TOWN LOCATIONS: For walking convenience to shops & ristorantes.

1. Palazzo del Capitano www.palazzodelcapitano.com 130 to 180E
Very nice small hotel in center of San Quirico—perfect location to explore.

2. Vecchia Oliviera www.tuscany.net/oliviera/ 130 to 180E
Nice 4 star hotel at the gate into lovely Montalcino---has pool.

3. Palazzina Cesari www.montalcinoitaly.com 80 to 110E
Lovely small B&B in heart of Montalcino—great value—2 night stay minimum.

4. Locanda di San Francesco www.locandasanfrancesco.it 180 to 200E
New boutique B&B in a lovely location in Montepulciano—great reviews !

5. Politian apartments http://www.politian.com/ Good value apts. with
minimum stay of 3 nights in Montepulciano---helpful host---85E

6. Palazzo Ravizza www.palazzoravizza.it 130 to 180E
Very nice & popular hotel in Siena with parking.

7. Fattoria Vignale http://www.vignale.it/eng/ Four star hotel in Radda in the heart of Chianti. About 230E for double

Bob- why do you recommend driving straight to tuscany and ending in Rome? Still trying to figure out the logisitics. Thanks!!!!!

This is what we did

We flew into Naples and took the ferry to Positano. In Positano we stayed at the Villa Rosa. From Positano we took the ferry to Naples and than the train to Chiusi where we rented a car. In Tuscany we stayed in Montepulciano at the Politician (recommended by Bobthenavigator). We found Montepulciano to be the perfect location to take day trips in Tuscany. After a week in Montepulciano we then took the train again and went on to Cinque Terre and from there we flew back home from Genoa. I know you are not planning to go to Cinque Terre but I guess you could fly back from Pisa. Lucky you! I wish I were planning that trip again.

hi ljnee,

there is another thread going at the moment with a couple of great recommendations for accommodation in tuscany [near San Gim] and Rome, which you might like to read.

I strongly agree that if you can fly into Pisa, that would be better than flying into and out of Rome. otherwise, I suggest train/fly to Naples, stay 4 nights then train to somewhere convenient to your Tuscany choice, stay 5 nights, then return car, and train back to Rome and stay 4 nights [2 days not enough for Rome, IMHO] - where you will then be well-placed for your flight home.

have a great trip,

regards, ann