Any last minute advice?

Hi Sheena, Sound good! Day 6: I suggest you to take the bus. The day pass cost around 7.50E.
Have a good trip!

Thanks Rick! Can you tell me where I can buy the bus pass at? Is it something that I can buy onboard or does it need to be purchased from a merchant in town?

Why are you renting a car? You will not need a car in Rome. The fast train to Naples and Circumvesuviana to Sorrento is not much more than a few hours. You are considering not taking the car to Positano, which is a good idea. I have not been to Paestum, so not sure the best way to get there. You seem to be spending a alot of money and have the hassle of driving a rental car when the trains are so convienient. It also seems the rental will be parked most of the time, if you can find parking! Check out the train schedule, your trip will be much more enjoyable IMHO.

Sheena... I drive all over Europe and have done the Amalfi Coast and it is not a really fun drive. I would take a bus. Parking was also crazy there.

If you're going to rent a car, get one as you leave Rome. Parking is just a great hassle in any big European city. Do they come with snow tires and chains? Sorry it's a little cold over there right now. Hopefully the weather will improve shortly.

First, the car makes no sense until maybe Day6 or 7. And you probably could get by the whole trip without a car. Up to that point the car is either in parking facility generating income for the other guy or getting parking tickets for you. No point of picking up car and then spending three days in Rome. For me, it would be hard to spend a full day at the Vatican. A good half day. Second, with a 6 am departure it is most likely a domestic flight connecting somewhere else in Europe for your flight home. Getting to the airport around 5 or maybe 4:45 will be fine. Few problems that early in the AM. And you go to the regular terminal.

Sheena, I agree with the others in terms of NOT renting a Car for the time you'll be in Rome. It's NOT a good idea to drive in Rome, and you don't need a car to get to the Vatican or anywhere else. My usual caveats regarding driving in Italy.... One important point to note is that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on driving in Italy. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities ( especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW. If you accept the CDW offered by the rental firm, it will be expensive but will provide "peace of mind". Some "premium" credit cards provide rental vehicle insurance, however I've found this to be somewhat complicated so I just accept that offered by the rental firm. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. Aside from that, hope you have a wonderful time!

Sheena, They do not sell the bus (SITA) pass on board. In Sorrento, you can buy buss pass from the general store (tobacco shop) inside the train station. The SITA bus stop in Sorrento is outside the Sorrento train station.
You might also buy the bus pass from other tobacco shops in town. Have a good trip!

Ditto on the car. You won't need (or want it) in Rome and, if you're lucky, it will cost you 10/15 euro a day for parking. Same with Sorrento, 20 euro a day.
If you do decide to drive I strongly suggest a GPS. Don't depend on maps.

I agree with others that you should cancel your rental car. We have done this exact trip and you don't need the car and in my opinion you will regret having it. Subway to the Vatican, walk most other places in Rome, catch the train to Sorrento. Once we got to Naples, we actually took the ferry from Naples to Sorrento but this time of year you might want to stick to the train all the way. Then in Sorrento take the bus from the train station...you don't really need a "bus tour". We just took the regular bus, it was cheap, walked around the town and then you can just catch the next bus to move on down the coast. We had to get to FCO at that same hour of the day. The Express train doesn't run that early so our hotel arranged for a driver to take us out there. It cost a bit but it was the best thing for that early hour. I don't remember what time we arrived at the airport but NO one was there. The gates weren't open for quite awhile but we were there and we were calm and we knew we weren't going to have any issues with making our flight so all was good.

The package deal that we booked included the rental car. Personally, I'd rather do without it, but my mom is traveling with me and wants to use it. (Thus, she will be driving...although we both got International Drivers Permits, in the instance that I did have to drive.) So, we're just going to have to deal with the car. Our hotel in Rome is a little bit outside of the main area, so hopefully the traffic will be manageable.