CIAO BELLA

As I was googling hotels on the Amalfi Coast last night and stumbled across the apparent truth that Naples, Italy is in fact a garbage dump (literally)-- M and I started to realize we needed more of a solid plan of what we want to do in Italy before we determine where to go, and how long to go there.

Oh yes, did I not mention? We're going to Italy. You see, I was supposed to have been in Paris a few weeks ago, but life had other plans. So, M said he'd go on a trip with me since I had to use the credit I got for my Paris ticket by 9/24/14. This resulted in us planning an entirely different trip to Italy. Don't get me wrong, I want to see Paris, but mostly I agreed to go to Paris because someone asked- and when someone asks you don't say no. BUT truth be told, Italy is higher on my list. It could be the Mediterranean calling me back since my time in Malta.. or it could be the fact that Paris would've just reminded me of why I didn't get to go in the first place. Added bonus, my mom's side of the family is WILDLY Italian (my mom's real, true, full name was Nunciana Anna Lucia ______). See? ITALIAN. So, I thought it'd be a nice nod to the heritage to head to Italy.

We know we want to spend a few days to start off in Rome. I have a good handle on what to do/see in Rome, but I'm struggling with the balance of the trip. You see, I had a loose plan to go south to Naples, and then hit up Capri and some of the Amalfi Coast. I was reading AWFUL reviews last night online about Naples and how dirty it is and how people don't stay there unless they're passing through and I got spooked. So I'm turning to you folks:

We're not DEAD SET on the Amalfi Coast, but it's high on my list, so tell me: have you been to Italy? Have you been to the Amalfi Coast? What towns should we spend time in/stay in? I don't think I'd consider it a waste if we went to a town that only ended up having one major "sight" to see and then just kind of explored like locals, but I do want to maximize the trip.

SO HELP: Any and all Italy advice welcome and wanted. PLEASE. (including best website to plan tours, trips, actual real websites to book trains, busses [these things make me wildly nervous since I have no frame of reference for doing any of this])