NEED HELP WITH ITENERARY

The last time we were there we hired a car service called Italy's Car Service, they were reasonable, on time and the drivers were very informative and knowledgeable about the cities we were visiting. It was less money because we were 5 women, this time we're probably going to be 3 women so taking the trains is not a problem. Do you know if there is a train that leaves from Milan and goes up to Lake Maggiore and if so, on return, is there a train from Lake Maggiore to Venice, couldn't find it on the rail map. Thanks.

There are direct trains from Milan Central station to Stresa, which is on Lake Maggiore. Takes about an hour.

There are trains to go everywhere you list above. Numerous trains a day go to Stressa on Lake Maggiore from Milan. From Lake Maggiore to Venice, you will need to be on two different trains. First, the train back to Milan. Second, a high-speed to Venezia-Santa Lucia. From Venice to Sorrento, this will be a 5.5hr trip on the Trenitalia train to Naples with a train change most likely in Rome and then the private Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento. This will take just over an hour. At Napoli Centrale, you have options. 1) take the Circumvesuviana train as described above or, 2) take the bus or taxi to the ferry docks and take the ferry. To return to Rome from Sorrento, simply reverse the journey back to Rome via Napoli Centrale.

Rachelle, Consider flying from Venice to Naples on Easy Jet. Fares start at E28 in the fall. You could then take the Curreri Viaggi bus directly to Sorrento from the very managable Naples Airport...Bus right outside the arrivals door. You could also take a taxi to the dock and a ferry to Sorrento. To get to Rome, take the circumvesuvian to Naples and train to Rome. Have fun planning,
Gerri