Revised Oct 4-Nov1 trip

You have 23 nights listed with visiting 19 different cities. For me that's too much traveling. It doesn't even look like you're taking travel times into consideration. You lose half a day when you change cities. This mean a 2 night visit is only 1.5 days if that. You'll end up spending more time on the train than you will visiting Germany and Italy. My suggestion would be to cut out half of what you have planned. You'll have a better vacation if you're not changing locations every other night and you'll remember more of what you're seeing. donna

Totally agree with Donna - way too much traveling and trying to squeeze too much into each day. With the schedule you have outlined I would bypass the Cinque Terre and add the days on to Siena. Lots of chances to visit wineries, agritourismos etc. Or add them to Sorrento. With a car Sorrento is a better choice to stay - driving and parking in Naples is not easy. Sorrento will be quieter and is a good base from which to visit Pompeii/Herculaneaum, the Amalfi coast etc. Hint: near the Greek/Roman site of Paestum, a short drive from Sorrento, there is a wonderful water buffalo farm where you can see something of the way they make mozzarella di bufalo, and also purchase the product as well as the best yougurt I have ever had.
Forget the night in Capri, you can easily do it in a day boat trip from Sorrento and save a hotel bill. In Sicily, I'd stay in Taormina - a lovely town with great views of Mt. Etna. Do get hold of good guide books of the countries you plan on visiting to help you trim the trip (Rick Steves, of course and something like the Rough Guide) and a good map of Italy (Michelin).

Just like to add a comment to my previous response. You are going to be traveling through some of the most beautiful and interesting countries in the world. Take the time to learn something the places you visit, not just remember them as a blur as you rush through.......

I agree with the other posters. You are trying to cram way too much in too short a time frame. I'd prioritize and spend more time in each place. Sorrento is much more pleasant that Naples and convenient for day tripping to Pompeii, Capri, Amalfi, Positano, and if you want to visit the archeological museum in Naples, just take the boat from Sorrento to Naples.
Capri is an easy day trip from Sorrento - no need for a hotel stay (Capri is very crowded and overpriced but scenic)

Connie, I have to agree with the others that this trip is quite "ambitious" considering the time you have available and the distance you're covering. A few comments and questions..... > I'm not sure what "color 6&7th" you're referring to? Could you clarify? That will have a bearing on the best city to use as a base. > Lucerne is NOT the best "home base" for visiting the places you mentioned in the Berner Oberland on day trips, as travel to Interlaken Ost is a minimum of 2 hours each way. It would be much better to stay in Lauterbrunnen. Also, I don't think three days is going to be enough to see all those places. > Varenna is the best base (IMO) but I wouldn't bother with the day trips to Milan and Bergamo. Spend the time enjoying Varenna and touring Bellagio or other locations on the lake. > What "castle and cheese factory" are you referring to? With only 2 nights in the C.T., I'm not sure you'll have time? It's going to take 4-6 hours to get there from Lago di Como so you will really only have a bit over one day for that area. > Are you planning to spend 3 nights in Siena, or split the time between Siena and Assisi? Are you planning to see Siena one day, Assisi on the 2nd day and Orvieto on the 3rd? That's a LOT of travelling, and won't allow you to really see much. > Sorrento is ABSOLUTELY the best base in that area. You DO NOT want to drive in Naples!!! > Where are you planning to leave your Car when you spend one night in Capri? It sounds like you're planning to drrop it off in Sicily? > I can't recall the details, but I remember reading that the night trains to Rome have been discontinued? Will have to check on that. Continued....

Connie - Part 2.... > I don't know whether Taormina or Catania would be a better base for visiting Mt. Etna. I'll have to leave that one to others on the HelpLine. > Regarding driving in Italy, here's the usual information on that topic: It's important to note that for driving in Italy, each driver must have the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. These are valid for one year, and easily obtained at any CAA/AAA office (two Passport-sized photos required, which in some cases is offered at the issuing office). Failure to produce an IDP if requested can result in fines on the spot! Have a look at This Website for more detailed information on driving in Italy. You may also want to have a look at some of the other posts here concerning the dreaded Zona Traffico Limitato areas that are becoming increasingly prevalent in many Italian towns & cities ( especially Florence!). EACH PASS through one of the automated Cameras will result in a €100+ ticket! There's also the issue of parking tickets and the possibility of having "The Boot" applied, and high fuel costs, tolls, etc. A GPS along with a good Map would also be a good idea. Be sure to also give some thought to the question of CDW and theft insurance. In Italy, buying CDW from the rental firm is usually compulsory, so coverage provided by credit cards will not apply. Check the Car Rental section in Europe Through The Back Door for further information. You could also download the "Car Rental" PDF Guide from Gemut. Continued.....

I attempted to visit Mount Etna in early March. It had just erupted for like the fourth time this year (literally a day or two before of course, on the day that we were on the other side of the island - I would have loved to have seen it!). According to everything I read, the best side to visit on was the northern slope (Taormina side). In any event, in March there are really no tour companies open. They seem to have a more "normal" tourist season there. It is quite possible that there will not be any of tours available when you are there in October either. Hopefully someone will chime in with more specific information. We ended up driving our rental car about 2/3 of the way up, but the mountain was enshrouded in clouds, for the most part, that day, so we only had occasional views as the clouds shifted. There was a very thick snowcap on it, dirtied by the latest round of volcanic ash. Fascinating lava fields and so forth.

Connie - Part 3.... My suggestion would be to skip a few of the places on the list and "slow this down" somewhat. While it may be feasible with good planning, the trip will be a bit of a "blur", and a complication in any part will affect subsequent parts. You might find it helpful to make a list, prioritizing the places you want to visit. That way you could skip one or two of the places at the end of the list, and enjoy more time in the areas that are most important to you. It wouldn't be difficult to provide a suggested Itinerary, but it's your trip so suggestions from others may not provide what you're looking for. Good luck with planning!