Naples 8-1 to 8-4 and need best plan to see Pompeii and Amalfi Coast.

If you plan to stay in Sorrento for at least part of your time in the area, I would go directly there and stay the last night in Naples to make getting your AM train to Florence easier.

I toured Pompeii using RS free audio guide and felt it covered the area well. If the guide you mention is just for Pompeii, it may be an unnecessary expense. If more than Pompeii is included, then that's a value judgment you need to make.

Pompeii is easily accessible by train from Sorrento

AC accessible by bus , boat or private driver from Sorrento. Its a budgetary choice you have to make

Perfect advise. Gave me clarity! Thank you!!

8-1. Train to Naples.
Campania express to Pompeii.
Drop luggage at entrance.
2-3 hours at Pompeii. Guides at entrance, 12-15 euros.
Campania express to Sorrento.

8-2. Sorrento and back to either Capri or Positano.

Bus or ferry to Amalfi.
Bus to Ravello. Bus back to Amalfi. Explore Amalfi. Ferry (shorter this time of year) back to Sorrento. Campania express to Naples.

8-4 train to Florence.

Purchase ferry tickets the day before travel if possible. They can fill up fast and you might not get your choice of time.

The bus in August will be packed and slow. With the short amount of time you have is use it only for Ravello.

Edit. Typo

I like gerri's ideas....

I always throw my hat in for Herculaneum as I find it better preserved than Pompeii, and much easier to see in a short time and in the HEAT....Pompeii leaves you very exposed. I like H. for the fact that one can visit the Archeological museum and H. easily on the same day...and it is recommended that you see the items taken from the ruins...H. is only 25 minutes from Naples...and there are shaded area...people love to say that there is no snack bar...yes, because it is in the MIDDLE of an actively lived in town...buy some drinks and snacks to take in with you. H. is as if your own hometown neighborhood was destroyed, 20 blocks or so uncovered so far, it is an active archeological sight, which I also like...more is unearthed each time I visit...very manageable in hot weather.

The town itself is grimey and the occupants are very economically disadvantaged....so it is best not to go wandering around and you may not be greeted with open arms like Sorrento etc...so don't be surprised.

Herculaneum was the richer of the two cities, which is obvious after a tour of the ruins: there are more expansive houses, more impressive mosaics, and more lavish marble in the remains. Although a much smaller city, its ruins are also more dense, better preserved, and offer more complete homes and mosaics.

http://wikitravel.org/en/Herculaneum

http://sedimentality.com/pompeii-or-herculaneum-how-to-choose-for-a-day-trip-from-naples-or-sorrento/

You can lock luggage at H and P.

August
1. Via Naples to Sorrento (4N)
2. Day to Capri
3. Day to Positano
4. Via Pompeii (& Naples) to Florence

Just came through this area, and I would agree that all three nights in Sorrento is probably your best bet. It has the best transportation options (let's you be flexible) and it's gentle charms are welcome after a long day of sightseeing elsewhere. You need to get a good sense of your priorities in this region because this is not much time to do both sides of the coast. Naples deserves at least an afternoon. You could do Pompeii and taste Naples in a solid day. If Roman ruins are important to you then I absolutely recommend also visiting Herculaneum. You will essentially be left to day trip into the Amalfi coast, and in that case I'd highly recommend heading to Poistano via ferry. That's the real highlight on the coast and is easy enough to do. While I agree with an earlier poster that Ravello is lovely, it's just too deep to get to with the time you have. It takes some time to get around here, even travel between Naples, Sorrento and Pompeii takes more time than you may think. Capri, though not the Amalfi coast per se, is also a great day trip option. I found Capri to be just as beautiful as the AC, it was an unexpected pleasure. Either way, Sorrento gives you the options to choose from.