combining beach and city?

Our first trip to Italy was to Rome and the Amalfi Coast - a very easy trip. 3 nights in Rome, 2 or 3 nights in lovely Positano, back to Rome to fly out. Others may suggest doing Florence with Cinque Terra which I think would also be a natural pairing. The deciding factor for me would be an airport into which I can fly direct, like Rome.

Rome and Sorrento/Amalfi Coast would be a good combination. Venice and the Cinque Terre are another good pair, but it is a long trip from one to the other, so if you don't have more than a week, Rome and Sorrento might be a wiser choice.

Those sound like good suggestions. It would be our first time in Italy, How did you travel to and from Rome and Positano? High speed train? I assume flying into and out of Rome is easiest versus Naples? Thanks

If you choose Rome/Amalfi Coast, fly in and out of Rome. There is a high speed train between Rome and Naples, then the Circumvesuviana to Sorrento. Busses beyond that. Have you read Rick Steves' Italy Guide yet? It will help you make some of these decisions as well as decide wher to stay, what to see.

The island of Lido is Venice's beach suburb. It is at the mouth of the lagoon and is easily reached by vaporetto from Venice. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

Here's another vote for Venice and the Lido.

If you're comfortable travelling where english isn't as common, the Adriatic side of Italy has some beautiful stretches of beach. One of my favorite places is the Gargano Peninsula and the stretch south down towards Bari. In fact the Adriatic is where many Italians themselves go for vacation. The Rick Steves books don't cover this area, but many others do. So if you want to visit some beaches that every other American hasn't been to, this would be a place to think about.

Keep in mind that if you go in August (and even part of July) you'll be competing with the Italians themselves at the beach resorts. Good luck.

Consider Rome and the Amalfi coast. The Hotel Pupetto in Positano is very nice for a relaxing beach holiday. We have stayed there a few times and have always enjoyed it.

My opinion: Puglia & Rome Leave Amalfi & Venice to the cruise ships and the crowds, because that's what you will see when you're there. Granted they are beautiful, stunning, and awe inspiring. But so is Disneyland. Puglia is on the beach, a wonderful escape from the droves of tourists, there are many beaches that don't even get filled with Italians, and even during Summer you can find nice, secluded areas. Fly in and out of Rome. Take a train to Lecce from Rome (5.5 hours by day, or an overnight sleeper that leaves at 11pm gets in at 8am). It is under 100 euros per person, even first class to do this). If you're REALLY adventurous, drive (6 hours+)! Detour along the way in a few great places no one really goes to (think Naples for pizza, or Matera, where they filmed the Passion of the Christ, or Benevento, Bari...). Once in Lecce, rent a car and explore or don't! Explore the area! Everything is cheap, they're some of the friendliest people in the world, and not used to tourists so they'll really try to bring you in like family. I am from the beach, and these beaches get my vote, hands down, for the best beaches in Italy. Many Italians would agree. After never wanting to leave Puglia, go back to the tourist world of Rome, but you'll see it in a whole different light. You'll have a deep appreciation for all things Italian, and since most of the greatest achievements from Roman-Italian history are there, you'll fall in love even more! But that's me. And hey, it's just free advice, right? Have fun!

Thank you for the suggestion, that sounds like something we would love. How would we do without speaking any Italian in that area?

Also do you have any suggestions where to stay near the beach?