Positano is definitely our base. 1st time travelers and thought we would fly to Naples and limit ourselves to the Amalfi Coast.
Husband Larry wants to fly into Rome a day ahead, see what we can arrival day and next morning, then take train to Sorrento and car to Positano for check in by 1700. Stay the week and go to Rome one day early to be near airport for return trip. If we can get hotel near sites can we "roughly" cover the sites? Your input is really appreciated.

I'd skip Rome, it's a large city with so much to see, focus on the Neapolitan riviera - you'll enjoy it there, I'd extend your stay.

I find it dangerous to combine city and seaside holidays in short periods of time. See all the sites local (relatively speaking) to Positano, you'll have a great holiday.

I think that your plan is great. A sip of Roma is better than not to experienced the city.

My advice is to pick one or 2 sites to spend ample time in. Don't rush trying to "roughly" see more on limited time.

It would help greatly to know how much time do you have on this trip.

If you are really focusing on the Amalfi Coast for this trip, why don't you fly into and out of Naples? It seems more practical to me, if possible.

Lorac, should have mentioned length of trip! Leaving Newark 9/23, returning 10/2. Don't know how tired we will be upon arriving so that is another factor. Thanks

Hi Zee,

It's doable, but not recommended.

Why a car on the Amalfi Coast?

We were there last Oct.
You might find my trip report helpful.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

If you can, fly into Naples and out of Rome. That way you can go directly to your hotel on the Amalfi Coast when you arrive. You will be tired, but also excited.

If you spend the first five nights on the AC, you can then return to Rome for three nights and fly out from there.

That would give you less time checking in and out of hotels and more time enjoying...Rome is a great city.

Thanks Ira for your link. You gave a great travelog! What site did you choose for your pics? Would love to see them. So many plans to make then narrow down - I am really getting anxious and only 2 months to go

ira -
I read your post, as well. What a wonderful trip report - so detailed! You said you were in Italy in October...how was the weather? What is early or late October? We'll be there mid-to-late October and early November. One more question..when you were in Positano, what did you think of Le Sirenuse? Thanks in advance!

Hi guys,

Sorry, didn't post any pix.

Weather the first week in Oct was warm to very warm. Rain the first and last days.

Late Oct, look for weather turning chilly and some rain.

Le Sirenuse: we looked into the lobby. Very nice. The view was almost identical to the one we had from the Le Sirene Hotel in Praiano.

From a "welcome-to-Italy" perspective, I'd hesitate on flying into Naples, simply because Naples is so chaotic. No sense in having the welcome mat to Italy be The Bronx (Naples) when it can be Manhattan (Rome) instead. That's not to say that Naples is a city to avoid -- it isn't! -- but it will have a tendency to anti-impress you when you step off the plane. This first impression or lack thereof may cloud your whole perception of Italy wrongly.

I like the idea of flying into Rome, spending the day, then going to the AC area, and then coming back to Rome a day or two early to be there for the flight back to the USA. Logistically, however, it does make the most sense to fly into Naples (keeping in mind my earlier caution) and out of Rome.

If you take the plane to the train, you won't be going into Naples at all. It is just a point of arrival.

We arrived in Naples a few months ago. All we saw was the baggage claim area and were picked up just outside the terminal. I don't remember anything negative at all. We were there for all of twenty minutes and were on our way.