3 days - Rome; 3 days - Amalfi Coast; 2 Teens

You're talking about two of the most 'trodden' areas in Italy. Every last square inch has been discovered, trust me.

Secret surprises, as you say, will depend on the time of year. If your trip is between the end of May & end of September, the crowds will tell you where to go. Or, if you're like me, where to avoid.

Do your homework before visiting Pompei because almost nothing is marked. And if you happen to be there in the off-season, revel in the quiet. We found it quite eerie.

Do you have 3 FULL days in each location, meaning 4 nights? Makes a lot of difference in how much you can do. What time of year?

There are few secrets but there are things few people make time for. If you are Rome in a Saturday, you can take advantage of the weekly opening of Piazza Colonna. Becoming more popular is Le Domus Romane di Palaazo Valentini, a multi media tour of an ancient Roman villa. There are few English tours so reserve in advance. Domus Aires is pretty cool, reserve well in advance.

Ravello has two grand villas, Cimbrone and Rufolo, but our favorite thing was a long hike through neighboring villages (without descending to sea level). PM me if you want info. Capri is not worth the time, IMO, unless you have seen everything else. We also enjoyed walking from Amalfi to Atrani. Rick Steves should have that one in his guidebook, at least that is where I found it,

I will echo Laurel, do some hiking on the coast! My favorite hike is a trail that you pick up across the road from the paper museum in Amalfi, and I have only seen about 5 other people on it the 4-5 times I have hiked it....I'm not even sure its an official trail!

I am going to do the Path of the Gods hike next April, and though that is one of the most popular ones, I have never done it, so it feels new and exciting to me! (so what is new and exciting to you doesn't always mean its off the beaten path)

Do you have 3 FULL days in each location, meaning 4 nights? Makes a
lot of difference in how much you can do. What time of year?

Welcome to the forum, Michael!
Laurel asks some excellent questions as what you can do can depend on time of year and realistic amount of time. I'm also curious about the order of your trip, where you're flying in/out of Italy, and where you're coming into Italy from (country)? All of these details are relevant.

Jay's point about these locations being "two of the most 'trodden' areas in Italy" is spot on too. While there can be some areas which are less versus more visited, you have little-to-no time to seek those out without missing some of biggies that most first-timers wish to get a look at. Can you skip those biggies? Sure, but it comes down to your interests. The Vatican Museums, for instance, are usually on every tourist's list but if you don't care for art, you don't HAVE to do them. Make sense?

So what sorts of things are you and your family interested in seeing and doing?

I will echo Laurel, do some hiking on the coast! My favorite hike is a
trail that you pick up across the road from the paper museum in
Amalfi, and I have only seen about 5 other people on it the 4-5 times
I have hiked it....I'm not even sure its an official trail!

A 'non-official' trail for us was the day last year we took the SITA bus over from Sorrento to Positano, and got off two stops too early, don't ask me why. But our only choice was to walk the coastal road, and fortunately it was slightly downhill, about a mile of twists and turns on a narrow walkway or side of the road. And it being March, there wasn't much traffic and the weather was cloudy/foggy with sun trying to peek through.

A fortunate mistake, yes, but I'd recommend this tactic to anybody. It was abso-tively spectacular, much better than being on the bus itself, seeing those mountainside colored houses that Positano is known for up close and personal. After awhile we were down to the Sponda bus stop, which was totally deserted except for Li Galli Bar, which had one rickety table on the roadside, where we sat for lunch. They kept bringing stuff out--fried calamari (best I've had anywhere) and a beautiful Amalfi Coast antipasto. A big wow that started with a screw-up.

Thank you Jay, Laurel, Katherine and Kathy -

We are heading there for Spring Break and will have 3 full days in both Rome and the Amalfi coast starting the trip in Rome. This is not the first trip for my wife and I but will be for our girls. In Rome, we will hit a few of the usual points of interest including Vatican City. On the second leg, we are only locked into Pompeii. We are hiking fools so it seems like we will be in the perfect place.

Thanks again and any additional thoughts are always welcome.

If you go to Pompeii I highly recommend a guide. You can get a small group for a reasonable amount. The printed guide you get at entry is good but you will learn so much more hiring a guide.