I first want to thank all of you that helped me in planning my trip. I was planning my trip since 2015 and it finally took place. Your insights made this trip much easier than expected.
My itinerary changed throughout the years when I was ready to go the itinerary ended up being flying from Miami to Stuttgart Germany for two days then train to Munich for the connection to Venice then to Praiano in the Amalfi Coast via Napoli, then to Rome, perfect route. As many of you suggested, I took the train routes versus flying, and boy am I glad I did! I booked the trains 120 days prior to departure, as you all suggested, except for Munich which I was a little confused about but it all worked out. In Munich we had a two hour layover and went to the Plaza nearby, it was fantastic, being Good Friday, I was able to experience the strong Christian faith and how many participated in the Stations of the Cross throughout the plaza, very moving.
We had booked business class for the trip to Venice, very comfortable. We arrived in Venice at 6:30pm, the train station is just across the Grand Canal, we took the vaporetto to Dorsoduro area where we stayed in Ca Centopietre. Great location, quiet and the hotel was comfortable. Our first two nights we experienced acqua alta, pretty interesting how it happens around 10:30 and lasts for about two hours. All the streets were flooded! The 2nd night we met with Alessandro for the Pub Crawl, it was fun. He educated us on the wines, food, and Venice. We had dinner a couple of nights at Al Vecio Marangon next to the hotel, very good food and atmosphere, they are always full. I woke up early Easter Sunday and went to St Mark's Plaza at 6:30am it was so peaceful, then went to the Basilica for the mass. You have to experience the streets when they are empty, while everyone sleeps! We took the ferry to Murano and Burano, good to visit. We were in Venice three full days and four nights, enough to see the sites. During Easter many restaurants are closed but all else is open.
The next stop was Praiano in the Amalfi Coast, it was about 4 1/2 hrs train ride from Venice via Napoli. When we arrived the driver was waiting for us, he was referred to us on another site. Once we arrived at La Maurella hotel I was speechless, it's such a beautiful property right on the Mediterranean sea! The host Michele, made us feel welcomed from the start. It's such a wonderful small village, easy to walk and easy public transportation. In the Amalfi Coast we visited the Village of Amalfi, Ravello which we loved, Positano and Capri. For my birthday we had a wonderful lunch at Trattoria Da Armandino on the beach, delicious food. We were there three full days and four nights, can't wait to go back!
Our next destination was Rome, The train ride was less than an hour! When we arrived in Rome we took the subway to Plaza Spagna and walked to the hotel Fontanella Borghese, excellent location in the center. The next morning we went to explore Trastevere it was very nice spent Sunday there. The next day Monday morning we had scheduled the Scavi tour in St. Peter's Basilica, it was very interesting. The Basilica was amazing, we were able to go up after the tour. The next day we did the coliseum, we had no tickets so we went to the Forum to buy the tickets saw the forum and palatine hill then went to the coliseum. We also visited the Vatican and other sites. We were in Rome four full days and five nights and that's the bare minimum, I don't suggest any less time in Rome. We will be back again. It was a lovely trip, loved every minute.