Italy Visit summer 2017: One old, then new!

I will start by saying that on most trips, unless we were only in a single city, we also tried to do one place that we had been before. There is something about a second (or third) look that adds a perspective to a location.

July or August and the Amalfi coast have a problem in that everyone else will be heading for the coast as well. Try looking for hotels, if you can find a place that meets your budget, then great, if you are turned off, then probably not a plan. Naples, Sorrento, Pompeii, and the Amalfi would be my suggestion as a contrast to Northern Italy, but the timing may not be the best.

Aside from that, hitting smaller towns in Tuscany and Umbria might be an option, you could look further north to the Dolomites or maybe the Piedmont/Aosta region.

Thank you so much!

I would definitely do the Amalfi Coast, Positano in particular. It is so magical and beautiful. You can take easy day trips to Capri or other coast cities.

I love the Amalfi Coast, especially Ravello and Praiano.

If you like Greek ruins, you could spend a couple of nights in Salerno and go south to visit Paestum. You can also take the ferry to the towns along the Amalfi Coast.

Thank you. I will look into the Amalfi coast as it seems like it is a winning place.
Would you recommend staying in Sorrento and then doing day trips?
Thanks again!

We (5 total) are also traveling to Italy late June/early July. We are using Sorrento (at an Airbnb) as our base for 3 nights (not nearly long enough, but has to do for this visit). In my research, Sorrento seems to be a great location for 'home base' as you explore. We decided on an Airbnb for convenience and economy. We are using only 1 day for the Amalfi coast and have hired Sorrento Silver Star (recommendation on RS book).

Sorrento is not the Amalfi Coast and it doesn't have a beach. You also don't really get the feel of the towns daytripping with everyone else. It's so crowded. It's best to get up , relax and enjoy your time there before they arrive....then go to the beach! Later on as they leave, you will enjoy it more, see the beautiful hillsides of homes while sipping a glass of wine watching the colors turn to twinkles. Stay in st least one of the Amalfi Coast towns and daytrip to the others if desired.

Thanks so much for your tips. I will check into the geography of the area as I have no idea where a good base then would be. We are walkers and probably will not rent a car, so ideas on how to get around are welcome. I am in awe by all the kind responses!

Just to add a different option, you could stay up north and repeat Venice, adding the area around Lake Como, Verona, Bologna, Ravenna, Padova, or the Dolomites.

Have you booked your flights yet?

If not, you may consider visiting one of the lakes in Northern Italy such as; Lake Maggiore (Stresa), Lake Como (Varenna) or Lake Garda.

You could fly into Venice and return home from Milan ;-)

Enjoy planning your trip!

Hi! No, we are just in the thinking/planning stages. That is a good idea to ponder. Thanks!

Sorrento is a good base is you are truly just wanting to daytrip to places...amalfi coast, Capri, Pompeii. Plus, it will be wonderful and lovely itself....just a different flavor from the atmosphere you would get in the AC towns in the evenings.

Italy has a nearly infinite number of places worth visiting, but I'd like to second the idea of including the Dolomites. That area was a life-saver for me in 2015 when it was miserably hot just about everywhere else. To be sure of mild weather, though, you do need to stay up in the mountains rather than in the valley cities like Bolzano and Bressanone--though they are both lovely, and Bolzano has a number of good museums, including the one housing the Iceman.

The Dolomites could be paired with time at one of the lakes and or places along the Verona-Vicenza-Padua-Venice rail line. Minimum traveling, maximum sightseeing.

Thank you. I actually have not heard of the Dolomites and will look into this lovely place. Thank you all again!