Amalfi Coast and Sicily

It might be helpful to say when you're planning to be there. Good luck.

Michael,
first 3 weeks in June.

That time of year, I would start in Sicily and head north from there. Use the temperature guide to keep your temps as mild as possible.

If it were my trip, I'd do the opposite...one week in Sorrento and two weeks touring Sicily (give or take a day or two). With a week in Sorrento, you can take day trips to Naples, Pompeii/Herc/Vesuvius, Amalfi Coast, Paestum and this still leaves you with a couple leisure days to explore Sorrento. I'd then fly from Naples to Palermo (flights within Italy are dirt cheap), rent a car and wind my way around to Catania where I'd drop the car off and fly home. The only reason I'd go to Sorrento first is to not have to deal with both jetlag AND driving.

Instead of trying to decide between Sorrento & Positano, just split your time between the two. I agree with Otter about starting out in the Amalfi area - where you won't need a car. I'd suggest flying into Naples, then starting in Sorrento. From Sorrento, take side trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples itself if you want. Then move over to Positano. From Positano, take side trips to Capri, Ravello, Amalfi town. Then take a hydrofoil to Salerno, rent your car, and drive down to Reggio at the toe (it's easy). Stop along the way at Paestum & Maratea (a great place for an overnight). Take the car ferry from Reggio over to Messina. In Sicily, you could start in Taormina & work your way towards Palermo, or vice versa. The don't miss archeological sites along the way are Paestum, Segesta, Selinunte, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina (the amazing Villa Romana del Casale), and the Roman theater at Taormina. All are easily reached by car. If you have time, visit the medieval clifftop fortress town of Erice. It's spectacular. But however you decide to divide it up, you're going to have a GREAT trip.

Sissy, we have done this trip a couple of times. I would do one week in the Amalfi area, and two in Sicily. Siciily is big with lots to see. Use public trans in Amalfi area, and rental car in Sicily. We made Sorrento our base, and used it to explore all of the sites. Visit Positano by boat or bus, but Sorrento is a better base. Do not forget the archecological museum in Naples. We did the Sorrento area first, but would not do that again. Sicily will be HOT in June, and is best to see in early June...then Amalfi. (BTW, take swim shoes because the beach sand can burn your feet..... until you make it to the water.) We have flown from Naples to Catania and Palermo, using the lo-cost inter EU airlines, and enjoy those flights. We have done the train from Naples to Messina; don't do it...long and boring in many spots. We used the Lonely Planet guidebook for Sicily, and found it to be quite helpful for planing and other reccomendations. One more option. Visit the Aeolian islands. They are awesome. Each one is totally different. You can take a high speed ferry from Messina or Milazzo. You will not need a car there. We stayed in Lipari on Lipari island. It has a fanstastic museum, and was a wonderful base we used to explore the other islands. There are some awesome agritourisimos in Sicily. They make great bases to explore thae area. And the Greek ruins are all fabulous, and should not be missed. We drove everywhere, and had no problems. We decided that we would not drive in Palermo again during rush hour. What an experience! Also, post your same question on Trip Advisor. They have some great local experts that can tell you a lot more about Sicily.

If you're interested in archaeology, definitely don't miss Paestum, as a previous poster suggested. The whole Bay of Naples, with your base in Sorrento is loaded with natural and ancient wonders. Don't forget Solfatarra in Pozzuoli, an easy train trip from Sorrento, or the archeological sites of Baia or Cumae. These sites were deserted the day I was there, but they're incredible.