2 weeks, Venice to Naples by public transport

Have you been to Ravenna to see the mosaics? How about Paestum (reachable by train from Salerno, has very well-preserved Greek Temples).

Did you check Wikitravel: https://wikitravel.org/en/Rimini and https://wikitravel.org/en/San_Marino.

Hi collins2012. We were in Italy in august and did some of the things on your list. We used public transport for everything. Our itinerary was three days in Venice, a week on a barge on the Po River, four days in Sorrento (Our home base for Pompeii and Vesuvius), followed by two nights in Rome (with a pit stop in Napoli). Venice to Sorrento (Frecciarossa from Venice to Napoli, Circumvesuviana from Napoli to Sorrento). We visited Pompeii and hiked Vesuvius in the same day (arranged by the magnificent tour guide Gaetano Manfredi - can’t recommend him enough!). Here’s my review of that day: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/day-tours/amazing-pompeii-tour-with-gaetano-manfredi

My only thought on Napoli, is that it’s a bit grittier than many cities. I know that many people love it, but it wouldn’t be my choice for a home base. We did visit Napoli to see the archeological museum as well as to get pizza (!). It is fast and frenetic. That may be exactly what you’re looking for, but just wanted to mention it. Rome seemed relaxed in comparison. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Whatever you decide on, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

Skip Rimini, we visited there once to go to the beach. Sorry, but it smelled.

Ravenna is wonderful, spend a day there it is a must see.

Capri and Sorrento are great.

Thank you all for such great info!! OK I have revised the trip to 1) Include Ravenna and just go via Rimini to get to San Marino 2) Include Paestum 3) Hire Gaetano! MaryPat, Wikitravel links do not work here for some reason (I'm in Ireland). Heather - I remember Naples being busy and edgy, maybe less time spent there might be better.
Now I found a seaside town south of Paestum called Agropoli. The train goes there (Love the Italian train system!) so might check it out. Looks like a relaxed beach town....

I hope I am not disrupting your plans, but last week my cousin Vincenzo went to Rimini and it didn't smell.
You may need a third opinion!

Wikitravel is a good site. But Wikivoyage is even better.

Thanks again for all the tips. I think we will spend 1 week on the east coast and 1 week on the west. That seems like a good split!

Lovely! So, you’re attending the opera at La Fenice? Which one are you planning to see?

The Barber of Seville.....

Sweet! I’ve looked around La Fenice, but not heard anything there. Enjoy!

We stayed in Agropoli (in the old town, which we loved), but it is a 15-minute walk and up, up, uphill from the lido. Just something to know if choosing lodging.

I had a better look and walkaround Agripoli. It's a bit of a concrete jungle? And only one beach/lido. And walking from lido to the old town looks long and arduous!! We might stick to Paestum.......

Santa Maria di Castellabate may be better.

If you have time to add the seaside stay in after Rimini instead, Senigallia and Fano are both nice.