If only visting southern Italy, Amalfi vicinity, Naples, Pompei, Capri, suggestions on length of time to that area. Have been to other parts of Italy several times. Trying to determine an itineray without the usual Rome, Florence etc. that we have seen several times.

You need seven days for Naples and vicinity, and another three days for the Amalfi Coast and Paestum.

I agree,a week is ample time to visit the Amalfi Coast.

Hi picky,

We recently did 3 nights in Naples and a week on the AC and found that to be quite adequate.

See my trip report
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

Hi picky,

We spent nine days on the Amalfi Coast and Capri this July, and could easily have stayed longer.

I would suggest choosing one place to base from on the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento has great transportation connections to Pompeii, Naples, and other towns on the Amalfi Coast, but feels IMO, very American. Positano is a hilltown, dramatically beautiful, sometimes swamped with tourists, but my personal favorite. Other posters highly recommend Ravello, which is gorgeous, but inland and too quiet, if you ask me.

Definitely plan on a night or two in Capri, so that you will be on the island after the hordes of daytrippers have gone home.

Good luck, and have a wonderful trip!

picky,

This past June we spent 5 days each on Ischia, Capri & Positano and didn't get to but 1/2 the things I had planned to experience. (This means another trip, of course!)

The length of time was adequate for my wife, but I could have stayed another 5 1/2 months. I love everything about this part of Italy, except the "short visits"!

Have a great trip!

As GAC suggested about 10 days is good, altho more is better.
4 days in Naples, with side trips to Caserta and either Pompeii or Ercalano. A couple days in Sorrento, nice town torest. A couple days on Capri or Ischia (a lesser visited gem. A few days in Positano with side trip to Amalfi and Ravello.

You will return home saying " Tuscany who???"

Picky, you don't say when you're going, but if it's during warm weather, I'd stay as long as I could. To swim in that beautiful azure water is like having a little slice of heaven! Southern Italy is glorious.