We just returned from Italy. It was our first trip. I was planning our trip for years! At first I thought of Sorrento as a base, but someone in this forum suggested Praiano at La Maurella and just by the pictures I fell in love with the hotel and location. I am glad that I did because it's right on the Amalfi coast, very quaint, with easy access to all other areas. We were there for four nights and three full days, can't say enough and the host is magnificent . You must visit Ravello, we took the bus to the village of Amalfi then transferred to the bus that takes you to Ravello, we were there for about four hours. In Ravello you must try the Gelato from Bafone, the best we had in Italy! In Positano we had a nice dinner at Trattoria La Tagliata, it's a fixed menu, lots of food! Beautiful views because you are all the way on the top of the mountain, if using the local bus beware that you schedule the times accordingly or you'll be stuck up there! We got the last bus into town, we were nervous. In Praiano we had a wonderful lunch at Trattoria Da Armandino right on the beach, delicious food. They are open for lunch then they close and reopen for dinner. We had a great driver, also referred from another forum.
Rome three nights it's a tease, we were there five nights four full days and I think that is the bare minimum. There is so much to see, not that you plan to see everything in one trip, but there are so many things to do and areas to explore. We walked everywhere in Rome, our hotel was centrally located. Trastevere is a wonderful area to visit, we walked the area on a Sunday afternoon, it was lovely. Check out Monte Pincio near Piazza del Popolo. When we visited the Colosseum we had lunch at Trattoria Morgana not far, again open for lunch then they close and reopen for dinner. It was very good, another restaurant we liked in Rome was Fiaschetteria make sure that you make reservations, we didn't and waited for about an hour! Enjoy your trip, you will love it!
