Advice anyone...part 2

I wouldn't go from Canada to southern Italy in August, but to each his own! :-)

This book may give you some ideas: http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-Italy-2009/dp/1598801163

Aviva,

Travelling in the south of Italy in mid-August is probably not the best idea. That's prime holiday time for Europeans, so it's going to be HOT & crowded! Hotels will be at a premium and it may be difficult to find vacancies (especially in the beach areas).

If you do want to stop there briefly, Sorrento would probably be the best choice as it's accessible fairly easily via train. You would need to take the "regular" train to Napoli Centrale and then transfer to the Circumvesuviana commuter train to Sorrento (beware of pickpockets!).

Cheers!

I agree with Ken - Even in May a few years ago it got up to 90 in Positano - just down the road from Sorrento. Sorrento is a good base - El Nido Hotel (google)
I have mentioned this to several on this site. It is up in the hills but they have shuttle service and probably would meet your train. It has its own restaurant -very good- but the ambience of eating on thier open air balcony with the sunset is belissmo.
Heading back to Italy 2010 but are not going that far south.
The Dolomites is something we must do as well - Well now that makes trip # 3.
Have fun

I agree with the general advice to think carefully about travelling to Southern Italy during the heat of August.

However, I would not recommend Rick Steves' Italy book if you're indeed interested in Southern Italy. He doesn't really cover anything south of the Amalfi Coast. That's been a frequent point of criticism on the Helpline.

So do the Tuscany and Umbria regions fit into the "hot and crowded" category too or...?

Just got back from southern Italy (Puglia and Basilicata). There was a heat wave, with 10-15 degrees above normal, but it was the end of May and records were set for number of consecutive days above 90 degrees (five days, with 95 and 96 seen). I wouldn't go in August.

Sorrento is lovely. Relaxed, charming and nice shopping/strolling. You can stay there or mix it up easily with a trip to Pompeii by train, or take a bus or boat or hired car along the coast to Positano a/o Amalfi, or boat to Capri. We did the boat to Positano and liked it a lot. Nice area with lots of options and easy travel connections. Can't comment on the crowds as others have noted, but you're not gonna be scared off by a few degrees, are you? :-) Have a great time!