Help finalizing 15 day trip!

Regarding your stay on the Amalfi Coast. What do you want to do while you are there? If it's just to relax and see some of the AC towns, then any of the towns would work. But if Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum are places you want to see, Sorrento or perhaps Salerno would work better because of their train connections.

Thanks CJean, in the Almafi area I'm mostly interested in slowing down and soaking in the small towns, a little shopping and beauty. Herculaneum, Capri, and Naples are also intriguing possibilities, but I'd like to avoid being on the run every day. (Being indecisive here, I know.)

In planning trips, I find it productive to anchor certain activities that I might want to do in various places. What I mean by this is that if you want to see the Palio in Siena, then you will need to be in that town on July 2, which is first date it takes place. Or, if you decide to travel later in the summer, you would want to be in Siena on August 16, for the second running.

By doing this, you have a fixed point of reference for scheduling issues. Insofar as the Amalfi Coast is concerned, you should draw up a list of places/events you want to experience, and then begin penciling in your plans. The same goes for each area you will be traveling to.

If you don't already have a copy of Rick Steves Italy 2018, you should buy one. Here's why. The most useful aspect of his research is the list of opening/closing dates and times for various sights, as well as tips to maximize your productive sightseeing time.

Be aware that Umbria is a region, not a town, and that there are a number of places where you might want to stay in Umbria, such as Orvieto. Also, Parma isn't in Umbria, so you will want to check some maps as you put together your trip. Your number of days in each area seem to be doable. I loved Sorrento as a base, because it has access to the Amalfi Coast and the islands in the Bay of Naples, as well.