16 days in Italy...2 days in Milan...3 days in Venice planned already...

LOVED Amalfi coast, the scenery is awesome. Spent a few days in Sorrento and while there went to Pompeii for a day, it is only about half hour by train from Sorrento. Then spent 4 days in Positano, very tourist place, lovely bus ride from Sorrento. Five days was more than enough as not much to do there but we were there for a wedding. Then 2 days in Ravello, liked it better than Positano. If you do take the bus down the coast, sit on side of bus away from driver for best view. If you want to know where we stayed, ate, send me a PM and will try to help. You will not be sorry if you go to the coast.

Love Rome. Spent 5 nights there last year, and that was a good start. Going back for 9 nights later this year, that's how much we liked it. Do you have 16 nights total? Why not add 5 or 6 nights Rome and the rest on the AC to your 5 planned up north? Or you could add another night to Venice, then 5 each Rome and AC. Plenty to do in Venice, Rome and the AC to keep you occupied for that many days.

Laurel? Where in Rome did you love to sleep and eat?
Grazie:)

When are you going? That will influence where you want to go.

If you weren't thrilled with Florence and Siena you might not love Rome, either. Since you're planning on the Amalfi Coast, go a little further south to Paestum, which has beautiful Greek temples, a good museum, and a beach. I've stayed at Hotel Poseidonia Mare and it was great - staff, service, food. They'll loan you bikes to go to the ruins, or you can walk (it's about a kilometer from the hotel). Perhaps you'd like the Umbria region (around Assisi), or some of the smaller towns in Tuscany (Todi and Montepulciano, for example).

If you did not care for CT, Florence, Sienna and Pisa...what exactly were you not thrilled about? Perhaps you had too many expectations? I find if I read too much about a place I am usually disappointed because I am trying to find what I had in my imagination and it never is quite the same, rather than just exploring on my own. Some people want to experience their trip before they go with Google Views and RS videos...I avoid this until I return from my trip...I want it to be MY trip, not someone elses. I learned this on my first trip to Europe and have found that the best way for me to travel is to leave plenty of time for spontaneity and to discover new areas by myself. So, despite the naysayers who think you should plan everything, I might do some planning, but for the most part I tend to wing it...maybe that travel style would suit you as well. (I liked Rome... but did not Love it and I felt the same about Florence...but give me the little villages and I do Love those)

Monique, My wife and I just got back from 17 days in Italy - stops in Venice, Florence, CT, Rome, and Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Our two favorites were CT and Positano. We loved the small coast towns. Positano was amazing. There was magic in the air there it seemed. There were crowds by day, but it really wasn't anything bad. I never found any of the crowds to be a hassle. But it is amazing, and the food is great!! We stayed at an amzing place called La Tavalozza (sp? Its in RS book) and it was the best choice we could make. We had our own private balcony overlooking the water and the mountains...it was our private oasis...all for only 95 euros! But I would definitely recommend the Amalfi. We only had 3 nights there and wished we had more...as there is so much to see. We never made it to Capri but wanted to go. Next time we do Italy we might do Sicily and Amalfi...