My 9 yr old son and I will be in Italy for 6 weeks between June and July this summer. We are going to be based in Aviano and then Verona. We would like to travel by train to Rome, Venice, and Positano. Can you give us advice on inexpensive places to stay for a night or two that would be safe? Thank you.

In Rome you can stay at Hotel Borromeo in Via Cavour, walking straight ahead from the main train Termini station for just 10 minutes, so you can be safe even if you get there late in the evening, because via Cavour is a very central street. It is a 4 star hotel so prices are not so high and reviews are fine. http://www.hotelborromeo.com/where-we-are

Same here I would recommend Hotel Borromeo. Via Cavour is very safe because their restaurants and cafés stay open till late. Yet inside the hotel is silent and calm.

Kelly333--use Tripadvisor to search for hotels. That's the best source as you can see what they cost, where they are, and how people like them. Also, whether they're suitable for children, etc. Some people also use Booking.com and other such sites.

I like Tripadvisor, at least to start, because they are not limited only to the hotels the other sites represent.

BTW--have been using Booking.com to reserve, and find it works very well: lowest rates, reservations can be canceled (unless you agree to a noncancelable provision to get a lower rate) and no additional fees or prepayment.

Thank you all for your suggestions I will get on those sites and start the search. Thank you again.