Travel through Italy by Rail
 

I'm planning a trip with my daughter in July. We aren't interested in sitting in a bus so we decided to travel via rail. We would like to visit Venice, Florence, Sorrento/Amalfi Coast and at this time take a trip to Perugia and then off to Rome. What's the best way to get from Sorrento to Perugia? Someone suggested we rent a car, but I'm not convinced it safe to drive there. Any suggestions on the best site to book trip that we can trust. I feel so overwhelmed by all the travel sites and the different package prices. Thank you!

First thing to do is to view all of the old Fodor's Forums postings about this subject. Once you have a better understanding of your choices, and a bunch of opinions, then come back an ask specific questions about those things you're not sure about.

For train travel, I'd start with www.trenitalia.com Fair warning, it's a seemingly fussy site, you almost have to trick it to get an answer.

For hotels, try www.venere.com to get an idea about what is available by price range, quality and locations. You don't have to use this site, just use it to help you in choosing hotels.

Personally speaking, I've driven in Italy. I take the train when I can.

You can do that all by train, but I would see Perugia after Florence and do Rome last.

You can take the train from Perugia to Rome, then from Rome to Napoli, then from Napoli to Sorrento. The whole journey is about 400 km.

Is there any reason you're wanting to go down to Rome from Venice/Florence? You don't mention whether you're flying in but if you are I would get an open jaw ticket coming into Venice (or Milan) and flying out further south in Naples.

Then I would use Italian trains (Trenitalia) to do something like:

Venice > Florence > Perugia >Rome > Naples > Sorrento

You can book most 90 days in advance. The Naples to Sorrento train is just a local Circumvesuviana as far as I recall so you can just get that on the day at the ticket office for the same price.

You've gotten advice about trains, so I won't repeat that, but what makes you think driving a car in Italy isn't safe? It's a heck of a lot safer than driving around where I live in the USA. Italian drivers have to demonstrate a LOT more skills to get a license than Americans do.

>>>We aren't interested in sitting in a bus so we decided to travel via rail. <<<

Some buses are better/faster than some trains. Depends on itinerary and type of train.