6 weeks in Italy - revised itinerary - feedback please !

ROME TO SORRENTO You don't need to spend a night in Naples; it's easy to get from Rome to Sorrento in 1/2 day. Even if you decide you want to stop in Naples to see the Archaeology Museum you can get to Sorrento the same day. Naples can be a daytrip from Sorrento. I stayed overnight in Naples once because I wanted to visit the museum and find that famous "original" pizza place. At that time there was a luggage storage place in the train station. My GENERAL ADVICE: don't try to nail down every detail of your trip, especially from this distance of two years away. IMHO: inexperienced travelers should stay 2-3 nights in each place. Build breathing space into your two months. Find people other than your partner/relatives to talk to. Try unfamiliar food. Get your finances squared away so you don't have any unnecessary emergencies (I do my banking by internet). Travel as light as possible, because you are going to be hauling your stuff around a lot. I traveled in Europe for 8 weeks a few years ago with one 18# pack. And read and carry at least one good travel book. Expect to find internet access almost everywhere you go. You can research and make reservations as you go.

Thanks Swan for your input. Yes, I totally agree with you about building some breathing space into the itinerary ! I know it's still 2 years to go but I'm really just trying to get a rough idea on what's feasible, what's not, etc, etc and this forum has been FANTASTIC ! Definitely going to skip the night in Naples and just go straight through from Rome - Sorrento and then just do day trips from there.

Thanks again.

Sonia, Florence is a good base for the other Tuscan towns you mentioned - train is very relaxing and not expensive. Bus to Siena though, it's only an hour .
A suggestion for Stromboli (do you prefer to stay there , or do a day visit from Lipari, which has more choices, or are you doing the night hike to see the fireworks?)would be to check the ferry services. Depending on the season, you can take a ferry from Palermo and Catania (I think) up to Naples, or to Civitavecchia, and once a week, to Genoa. The Isola Aeolie have more ferry services in summer.
Write/email to the Italian Tourism office in Sydney, tell them of you plans and they will send maps, brochures and books, as well as pages of web addresses, all within a few days. Gratis. Pat

Hi Pat,

I'll get in touch with the Italy Tourism board and get some hints, brochures, maps etc from them. Great idea ! Thanks.

Hi Kent,

I am now going to spend 2 nights in the lakes area and now it's just working out in which town !

I would want more time in Rome. It's an amazing city that can never be exhausted for things to do and see.

Lucca is a wonderful base and La Magnolia B&B and the wonderful Lauyra one of the best palces we have ever stayed in Europe. George, Pittsburgh