I must admit that comparing Pompeii and Paestum seems a bit like comparing apples and fish. Pompeii is Roman. Paestum is Greek. Both are amazing.

I am glad I spent a night on Capri, as I found it magical after day-trippers left. Whether you want more than a night depends on what else you want to do on the island. For my purposes, a stay of about a day and a half (and so just one night) worked; YMMV.

I’m not sure why you are thinking of changing your itinerary to stay in Sorrento rather than Amalfi – but I must admit that I’ve lost track of your current plan. Sorry!

No, but I am saying you do not necessarily have to give up on your plan to stay on the actual Amalfi coast in order to do sightseeing on the mainland. There are a few towns at the mainland end of coast where you could reasonably get to public transport. I have not been to Sorrento, but I don't find it as appealing as the Amalfi coast unless you want to do multiple day trips, which is another thing I don't find appealing. You said you wanted a less busy town after all!

Just to recap....After our overnight flight from Canada, land in Naples then bus or taxi to Sorrento as it is a short distance, from which we will visit Pompeii and then ferry to Capri. After spending a night or two in Capri I thought we could ferry to Amalphi and locate ourselves in Atrani which I understand is only a 10 minute walk away. After a week or so in Atrani (visiting Paestum and the coastal towns and doing some of the well known hikes) travel back to Naples to spend a few days before our flight home. If this seems not to be a good plan, I would certainly appreciate comments. I planned this route from reading many of the posts on Fodors. Having never been south of Rome I certainly can use any helpful information on sites and things to see in the area, liking architecture and history.

I think it's a good plan.

Just to recap....After our overnight flight from Canada, land in Naples then bus or taxi to Sorrento as it is a short distance, from which we will visit Pompeii and then ferry to Capri. After spending a night or two in Capri I thought we could ferry to Amalphi and locate ourselves in Atrani which I understand is only a 10 minute walk away. After a week or so in Atrani (visiting Paestum and the coastal towns and doing some of the well known hikes) travel back to Naples to spend a few days before our flight home. If this seems not to be a good plan, I would certainly appreciate comments. I planned this route from reading many of the posts on Fodors. Having never been south of Rome I certainly can use any helpful information on sites and things to see in the area, liking architecture and history.

Is the plan to go to Pompeii the same day you fly into Naples and check into your hotel in Sorrento? If so, suggest you get a night's sleep before you tackle Pompeii. It could still be quite warm at the end of September but even if not, it's not a place to rest up from jet lag.

What I think I would do is land in Naples, go directly to Capri (take a taxi from the airport to the ferry dock). Spend a few nights in Capri, then go to Atrani, then go to Naples. See Pompeii from Naples (add a night to Naples).

I think you might find it quote complicated or very expensive to get to Paestum from Atrani. Again, it would actually be simpler to go from Naples, but then you would need yet another day there. Another possibility might be to shave the time in Atrani down to 5 days, then relocate down the coast to Vietri sul Mare for 2 nights in order to visit Paestum, and then visit Pompeii on your way to Naples. (You can put your luggage in storage at the entrance to Pompeii)

"Massimop", we were planning to spend about 3 days in Sorrento resting from flight and seeing Pompeii. Previously a fodorite mentioned seeing Pompeii from Sorrento. We chose Sorrento because it is a short hop from Naples and we will need to relax as we are not "sleepers" on the plane!

I though going to Capri from Sorrento was a good option. I also thought about going to Paestum from Amalfi as it is only a ten minute walk from Atrani. I haven't looked into getting to Paestum yet. I was hoping we could get a bus or train from Amalfi or even trying to pick up a day tour from Amalfi . Would you know if there are Day tours from Amalfi?

It wasn't clear to me from your post that you would be staying 3 days in Sorrento before going to Capri (which is indeed easily reached from Sorrento).

This tour to Paestum leaves from Positano, but I feel certain you can find similar ones at similar prices leaving from Amalfi or Atrani

http://www.positano.com/en/e/day-trips-to-paestum

There are no trains on the Amalfi coast so if you don't want an organized tour to Paestum, you will first need to get from Atrani to Salerno. That is probably doable by bus or ferry (from Amalfi). From Salerno you will need to take the train to Paestum (not far) or maybe a taxi from Salerno is affordable.

I remain confused.

Pompeii is very easily visited from Naples, from which you can also easily get a ferry to Capri. If you have any interest in Pompeii, you would do well to consider visiting the museum of archeology in Naples, which holds an exceptional collection of artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Naples is also home to an extraordinary array of other treasures. As already discussed, putting ALL of your time in Naples at the END of your trip makes sense.

No need to take a tour from the Amalfi Coast to Paestum unless that's your preference. It is on the train line that passes through Naples and Salerno. Just be sure to buy your return ticket when you start out.

And as already noted, you will probably benefit enormously from a good guidebook to the area.

I think it's a good plan. I understand that you want to get to Sorrento and rest up after a long and tiring flight. As Isabel said, Sorrento is a great transportation hub, as well as being a nice little town. There are some nice places to stay there with gorgeous views of the Bay of Naples.

Seeing as you have 2 weeks, I believe that you are wanting a somewhat relaxed trip while also seeing the major sights and doing a little hiking?

In that case, to carry on to Capri for 2 nights, then Amalfi or Atrani for 5 nights, and Naples for 3 nights seems about perfect. If seeing Paestum is really important to you, then see it as a day trip from Amalfi. Any hotel can arrange that for you. And taking the train from Sorrento to Pompeii is very easy. That would leave you with time in Naples to enjoy the museums, the waterfront, and some of the other treasures without having to leave on a daytrip. I would be very happy to do this trip myself.

Thanks for the great comments and suggestions everyone. When the time draws near for our trip, I will post with final plans.