Solo Trip to Italy- any tips??

I loved being in Italy myself. Doing it again this fall. I can't think of much to look for/avoid except that you will always meet people to talk to in restaurants and trains and hotels. I found Europe in general and Italy in particular very accommodating as a solo female traveler in her 20s. Use your common sense just as you would if your husband was going to be with you, keep your hand on your purse and your money/credit cards/ATM cards separated and mostly in your money belt, and don't be alarmed if Italian men approach you, I had no problems after telling them no. Maybe people have specific advice about Naples and Sorrento but I found Rome perfectly lovely on my own and felt perfectly safe wandering the streets of the historical center by myself even after dark (til about 10pm). Have a great time and enjoy it!

"Flying out of Naples."

Ouch!.... better get there four hours before your flight. Find another English speaking party to join and help defend your space in the line. Wish I was kidding about this...

Take a Direct Bus to Sorrento from Rome. You pick it up at the Tiburtina Station reachable by local city bus. The Sorrento bus doesn't have a rest room but makes a pit stop midway on its three hour run.

http://www.alfonsoamare.it/english/marozzi.htm

You can also get a direct bus from Sorrento to the Naples Airport. Its called the CURRERI Bus to Naples airport. You get the ticket or ask about the ticket at the Sorrento Information Center. As you enter the last piazza on the road before it goes down to the ferries, its on the left hand side. Big glass windows. This bus books up full so you'll need to get the ticket as soon as possible.

You won't get scammed in Sorrento. They crack down on that. Its touristy, but thats sort of nice and a relief from Rome.

Rome, you will have to be on your guard. There is no such thing as a free rose, a charm wrist band or gold ring found on the street. The baby that the grieving widow dressed in black is holding is actually a doll. Keep gypsy kids well away from you at all times, and lost salesmen that need a little gas money to find the French Embassy, that are willing to trade you an Armani jacket are liars. Rome is persistent in its scams. You just have to adopt a mind set that anything presented on the street that wants your money, is a scam no matter how plausible the scenario is.

Its very safe otherwise.

I would consider taking a friend with you. Its not so much for safety but for the shared experience. I've traveled a great deal on my own and seen and experienced fantastic things, yet, all I can do now is describe those experiences with out the benefit of a partner that saw the same things.
Its twice the journey with a partner.

Colleen -
Just sent you a PM but it didn't appear to go! I will just post here and PM me if you want.
I too am heading solo to Italy this summer. Perhaps our dates may cross? I will be in Sorrento - see Amalfi coast, Pompeii, maybe Naples -- on Aug 27 or 28. The plan is too stay there for a few days then head over to chill out on the island of Ischia for a few days and probably visit Capri too. I need to leave Italy by Sept 4 or 5 to head to Madrid.
I have done Italy solo before. About 3 years ago was in Florence for 4 days and Rome for 5 days. Just use normal caution, stick to more heavily trafficked areas. I assume you will be hitting major sites anyways and there will be lots of other travelers. In Rome I met a Swedish woman (who also lived in Hawaii) while we were both admiring Trevi Ftn. and sure enough, we realized our paths were going to cross a week later in Nice!
I think traveling solo is a great experience and this will be my third Euro trip doing such. I have traveled with friends before too and either way is fine but all the hesitations and concerns you may have about going solo are probably not necessary and I think you will have a great time! PM me if you want to talk further!

We just got back from an April trip to Sorrento.
4 Days is just right for the area. We spent one day in Pompei, Capri, Amalfi Coast via the Sita bus, and a day just hanging out.

As for the Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Sorrento, we did not encounter any problems. Found the ride easy from Termini to Naples, then the walk to the Circumvesuviana (after getting off the train in Naples head left and follow the signs ), purchase tix at the ticket windows, and down to the train platform.

There is a direct bus to Sorrento from Tiburtina station in Rome 1 to 2 times a day ( 6am 3Pm ) as well as a return to Rome from Sorrento.(6am & 5 pm) We wanted to take the Bus back to Tiburtina at 5pm, but there was no 5pm to Rome M-Th, only F-S-Su
Price is right, 16 E. It takes about 4 hours.