My husband are planning a 2 week trip to Italy-first time for both of us. We are flying into Venice and out from Rome. This will be at the end of August. We were thinking 3-4 days in Venice and 4-5 days in Rome. We would like to see Pompeii and would like to spend a couple of days in a resort type atmosphere possibly near the beach. On past trips ( Ireland, Spain, England )we have always rented a car to see the country outside the cities. I would love some feedback about possibly driving after we leave Venice and before we get to Rome. Could we stay in one area to get a resort feel and do a day trip to Pompeii ? We are mostly interested in historic sites, beautiful scenery, good food! Thanks so much for your help!

Hi Everyone! I could really use some help with this trip. Thanks!

Your question is a bit confusing. Pompeii is several hours south of Rome, not between Venice and Rome. Resort feel? What exactly does that mean? Upscale hotel?

I would do this, give or take 1 day

Venice 4
Positano 4
Rome 4

To see Pompeii you will want to stay in the Sorrento/Amalfi area. Positano is beautiful.

I have rented a car in Italy a few times and never had a problem. We drove from Florence to Positano. I have driven the Amalfi coast and am still here to tell of it

Although with this trip you could easily just take the train.
it is a personal choice.

Thanks jetsetj That is kind of what I was thinking but I was a little concerned about the driving. I have some minor issues with mobility and I'm not crazy about carrying luggage in and out of trains/buses. I want to save all my energy for all of the walking involved during this trip! Do you have any suggestions for hotels or B&Bs in the Sorrento/Amalfi area? Is there parking at the sites at Pompeii? Thanks again!

kybourbon thanks for your reply. I just meant that we wanted to see Pompeii somewhere along the trip. We would be looking for a hotel in a scenic area with an outdoor pool, beach access not needed. Thanks

In Positano we stayed at..
http://www.villanettunopositano.it/v...ttuno_eng.html

We paid to park at Pompeii but i cant remember how much. It was across the street by a little cafe/store with bathrooms if I remember correctly.

Where are you staying in Venice and Rome?

With mobility issues, you don't want to stay in Positano. Amalfi or Sorrento would work better. Pompeii is huge and much of it is uneven cobblestones. There is a parking area near the entrance, but if you stay in Sorrento, you might want to take the local commuter train (Circumvesuviana) which stops across the street from the entance.
http://www.pompeiisites.org/index.js...idLinguaSito=2

What is your price range for hotels?

After looking at some of the hotels in Positano I'm thinking there might be too many steps. I'll check out Amalfi & Sorrento. I don't mind the train for a day trip if parking is iffy. We haven't made any hotel reservations in Venice or Rome-would love suggestions for hotels or B&Bs! We looking to stay under $300 a night. Thanks

As far as Venice goes, I would check into staying at Locanda Orseolo. Great personal service at a reasonable price....there is a very good reason they are rated the #1BB in Venice. As far as Rome goes, I would recommend Hotel Santa Maria in Trastevere. It is a converted monastery with a grove of orange trees in the courtyard and spacious rooms and bathrooms...again...at a reasonable price. They also give a discount if paying in cash euros. It is in a nice area with good restaurants nearby and yet accessible to the main tourist areas of rome proper.
As far as the Amalfi coast is concerned, Positano maybe indeed steppy for you if you have limited mobility. Options are to take the train to Salerno...literally walk a couple of blocks catch the ferry to Amalfi for your stay....or you could take the train to Naples, bus or taxi to the port and grab the ferry to sorrento. The Sorrento side of the pennisula would make it more easily accessible for your visit to pompei...However, there are advantages to your resort feel for the Amalfi side...with Ravello and Positano for that matter a short bus ride away. You can even ferry from Amalfi to Positano.

Antique Mura is a nice hotel in center of Sorrento. I think we paid $150 a night . Really nice breakfast included. Can take bus from Sorrento to Positano, boat to Capri, and boat back to Sorrento for a nice day trip. Take train from Sorrento to Naples, go to archaeological museum, where the findings from Pompeii are kept (pizza at da Michelle in Naples) is another day trip. Train to Pompeii for another day trip, but you do a lot of walking. Train to Naples, and then high speed train to Rome.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Antiche Mura in Sorrento sounds nice and got good reviews on tripadvisor so I will inquire about rates. It does seem to be a good central location for Pompeii and Yes I do want to go to Naples to the archaeological museum. I don't mind lots of walking I just have issues with lots of steps, especially with luggage.
I will check out suggestions for Venice & Rome--thanks.