12 days in Italy...itinerary help please

What a sweet Sweet 16 gift! That said, a little more information would be helpful. Particularly, what season or month will you be in Italy, and what are the particular interests of your daughter and yourself, as in art, history, religion, food and ahhhh drink, being outside for great scenery or activities like hiking, biking, swimming, beach, etc. Also, about lodging, could you define "reasonably priced" a little more, ideally with a number of dollars or euros included.

We had just a great time doing the Eating Italy tour of Trastavere. GREAT thing to do in your first evening -- you are out in the daylight walking around which really helps with the jet lag. The guides give you a great primer on all kinds of fun things like how to tell real gelato, how to drink from a water fountain etc. It's a history lesson, dinner and tour all in one.

Of course, my apologies! Well, looks like we are going over Spring Break, in April...yes, sort of last minute. We both love being outdoors, hiking, beach combing, people watching, city-exploring, history, museums, some shopping...and delicious food-finds, whether it be street food, or favorite mom-and-pop eatery.

We would love to stay within $100-$150/night range, something that is near city centers, or near the beaches. I'm not sure if this price range is doable in Italy (we have traveled extensively in Southeast Asia, and prices are a bit lower there :) ).
Okay...any advise would be really appreciated.
Thank you!

When in April will you be traveling?

When you say you have 12 days, will that be 12 days on the ground (not counting travel days) ?

Will this be your first trip to Italy?

Thank you Gretchen! Looks fun!!
Pricilla, yes, sorry, it is our first time to Italy. My daughter's first time to Europe.
We'll be going the very end of March-April 10th.
We aren't sure how many days on ground/travel days, as we are putting together this trip last minute. I think we want to stay central/south, and save northern Italy for another trip. Usually when we travel, we have longer, a month or more. Generally we do not like to go from one thing to the next, to the next, we like some down time to get the feel of a place. We are limited to just under a couple of weeks, so maybe two days each place?

I forgot to ask--Did you already buy your flight tickets?

If you already have flight tickets, are they to & from Rome?

Will you be renting a car or plan to travel via public transportation( train/bus)?

We have not bought our tickets yet. I'm thinking we'll come in and out of Rome...but open.
I was interested in renting a car, I think. We just decided to do this trip this last week, so sort of scrambling (?) as it is only a month and a half away. Thank you.

What a wonderful gift!

I suggest sticking to the two cities you've identified – Rome and Naples (plus Pompeii/Sorrento/Amalfi). You could easily spend 5 to 6 days in each area. I suggest flying into one city and home from the other.

Orvieto is a lovely hill town that"s an easy day trip from Rome, about an hour by train each way. I only have one caution about it – that early in the season, some shops and restaurants may be closed.; however, the cathedral is amazing, and it probably won't be crowded. Orvieto would give you some additional variety.

There are also a number of other day trips from Rome, depending on your interests.

One other thing – if you want to stay near the lower end of the price range you mention for lodging, you might want to check convents. Some are in really great locations, although you are unlikely to find much (or sometimes any) English spoken and the accommodations will be simple. The website monasterystays.com is an easy way to find them.

I know a nice family-run B&B in Naples near the train station - usually 85 euro double, bath and breakfast included. It has a rooftop breakfast area with a sauna and hot tub, and views of Naples. The name is B&B Sweet Sleep. You can check it out on booking.com or venere.com - this morning booking.com showed a discount rate of about 59 euro double, bath and breakfast. It's not luxury but is very welcoming, the owner makes the breakfast pastries himself.

The convent idea is good, I stayed at a convent near the Colosseum for less than 80 euro single, with bath and breakfast. These accommodations tend to be very simple (no tv or phone, curfew varies from 10pm-midnight), breakfast is rather Spartan. You can check santasusanna.org for various listings in most cities in Italy (Santa Susanna is the American parish church in Rome).

For the most variety in your trip, I would go to Rome-Naples-Amalfi Coast/Sorrento, and if possible, an overnight or two in Matera (in Basilicata, some backtracking to get there by train, but if you have a car it's about 250 kilometers from Naples. Great little B&B there is Donna Eleanora, run by two sisters who bring in fresh breakfast every morning. Only three rooms, I think less than 80 euro double.

If you have a car and want to stay on the Amalfi Coast, I suggest La Maurella in Praiano. Small family-run hotel with breakfast and every room has a view of the water, in fact, room balconies are about 100 meters from the water. Less than 100 euro double with bath and breakfast, free parking when I was there last year. It's on the right hand side of the road driving from Positano toward Amalfi. Also be sure to take a daytrip to Ravello and visit the Villa Cimbrone gardens - stunning views of the sea from a high elevation.

Oh my goodness!! Thank you so much everyone for your generosity of information. I really appreciate it. I usually plan our trips 5-6 months in advance, so this is pushing it.
I agree, I think just staying to Rome/Naples/Amalfi. I'm going to look in to flying in to Rome and out of Naples.
Zoe, I'll check out all of these recommendations!
Do you think we could fit Capri in there, or is that a stretch?
X0

If you have 12 nights, I would suggest 5 in Rome, 3 in Naples and 4 in Sorrento. Use the RS Italy 2015 Guidebook, or another good one, to learn about the many, many sites in each area and do your planning. Personally, I would not want the extra expense or hassle of a car in any of these locations, but others will have different opinions about that. In Naples the Orsini46 B & B is WONDERFUL, top rated in reviews, very affordable within your price change, excellent homemade breakfast delivered to your room when you want, and in a nice area. It is popular though and you may find it already booked up, there are only 3 rooms. I myself would not, and did not, stay near the train station in Naples. There are various places within your price range in Sorrento, one choice you would need to make is whether to stay right in town, easy walking to shopping, dining and transportation to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, or to stay out of town for a view of the bay, but depending on a hotel shuttle into and from town. I stayed at the often-recommended Il Nido outside of town -- great view, excellent breakfast and restaurant, affordable rates -- but sometimes I was frustrated being dependent on their shuttle schedule every time I came and went. I got their most economical room, but would suggest a step up to a little better room with a view, as my room and area of the hotel was very ordinary and worn.

You've received many helpful ideas so far.

You shouldn't have any problems booking accommodations as April is still not that busy.

Have a wonderful trip!

I would fly into Naples (NAP) and out of Rome.

The reason is airport connections To Naples from Sorrento, unless you fly Lufthsana/United, leave very

early in the morning.

You would then take the http://www.curreriviaggi.it/inglese/E_index.html bus to Sorrento.

It's right outside the arrivals area across the street. Takes 1H15m cost 10 euro.

Spend at least 4 days in Sorrento. Although not the AC, you have better transportation

connections from here. I too like http://ilnido.com/.

From Sorrento, take the Circumvesuvian to Naples. Stay 3 nights http://www.orsini46.it/index_en.html.

You might want to look at the http://www.campaniartecard.it/ Tutta la regione 3 day,

which includes transportation. It covers both the AC and Naples. Can be purchased at the airport

at the travel agency in the arrivals hall. 7 day card does NOT include transportation.

A great value, the Naples HOHO bus http://www.napoli.city-sightseeing.it/ .

Gives you a good overview of the city.

On to Rome. Take the circumvesuvian to Naples, 1H29m then train to Rome 1H10m.

Pre booked tickets as low as 9 euro

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ee13721bdd69a110VgnVCM1000003f16f90aRCRD

Spend remaining time in Rome. I usually rent apts. here.

For attractions this card may be of some value. http://www.romapass.it/?l=en

Hope this helps, you should have a great trip.

Warning: Easter is the first weekend of April. It will be very busy so get your reservations made. You may not get first choice.... 3 day weekend and lots of Italians travel. So be ready to spring on an accommodation if it looks close to what you need.

A trip to Capri would depend on weather at that time of year. On a packed itinerary, I would leave it as optional.

Just found your post, we are doing the same trip the last week of april first of may only 11 days. would love to hear what you finally decide. we have not nailed anything down yet but tentatively, fly in to Rome 3 days, train to naples, staying out of town in Sorrento/amalfi 4 days, train and or ferry to sicily 3 day, Fly back to rome and home.

Hi~
Such great guidance here. Thank you everyone! I think we are going to extend out trip a couple of days. What I know so far is-we will fly in to Rome, stay for 4 days, train to Naples for 2 days, train to Sorrento for a couple of days, rent a car and drive the Amalfi Coast...not sure where we are staying on the AC yet, but will be checking out places mentioned here. Drop car off in Sorrento and train back to Naples and fly out. The only place I have booked is Rome for 4 nights so far, so working on the rest. Over Easter weekend I want to make sure I'm booked somewhere, the rest, we may take lists of options and see where we want to stay.