kdistler77

We are thinking of flying into Naples and spending a couple nights and seeing Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. Then we will go onto the Almalfi Coast for 5-6 days. We would be there the last week of March. My concern is weather, the closings of restaurants and shops, and if there will be enough to do for that length of time. Our other option is to go to Milan and the Piedmont wine region and stay a couple of nights in Cinque Terre. Does anyone have any recommendations for either itinerary? We have been to Rome and Florence already. Thanks!!

isabel

I went to the Amalfi Coast in March a couple years ago because I wanted to see what it was like in the off season. I had a couple of glorious days and it was great but also several days of cold rain. And there is pretty much nothing to do there in the rain. I actually changed my hotel reservations and went to Rome a couple days early cause at least in Rome there would be things to do in the rain. Then it got nice again and was delightful. So.... all depends.

I did notice it was clearly the time all the shops and hotels and restaurants are spiffing up for the 'season'. Lots of painting, and fixing things, that type of thing. I had just been there the previous July so I noticed how many restaurants were closed. There were still plenty open, but if you knew what it looked like 'in season' then you did notice a difference. But on the plus side on the nice days it was gorgeous, the buses were not crowded, etc.

I suspect it will be the same with the CT.

This coming March I am going to base in Milan for 9 days which sounds like a lot, but I'm planning on day trips to Lake Como, Lugano, etc on nice days, and on bad days there are things to do in Milan, or day trips to other cities (Bologna is only an hour away, Pavia half hour, etc.) which might be OK in the rain.

bobthenavigator

Stay south----much better odds.

nytraveler

A beach resort when it is chilly and sometimes rainy is not a great idea. At Ac many shops and restaurant will be closed, walking the beach no fun, ferry service very limited and possibly not running at all if the seas are rough - you might even have trouble going to Capri.

We went in mid May and that was perfect, hotels just starting to open up their pools.

ekscrunchy

At that time of year I think you would be best off sticking to cities. Weather in both places could be great, or rainy. Even in May when I was in Piedmont last, it rained a fair amount and was not so nice driving around because of that.

If you do not want to consider Sicily, then maybe spend some time in Naples and do day trips or overnights to the coastal towns on good-weather days. Your best bet for finding all restaurants and shops open would be Sorrento which, although not technically on the coast, is more of a year-round place than a tourist town, as are the towns like Positano or Amalfi. Sorrento is larger than the AC towns, and has a year-round population so restaurants and shops will be, for the most part, open. So perhaps take a hotel there after Naples. And when you hit the best weather day, take the bus along the coast to see the other towns. Keep Paestum in mind as well, for a day trip.

vincenzo32951

I'd visit Milan, do a wine tour of the Veneto/Piedmont region, and visit cities like Padua, Vicenza and Verona. You couldn't even make a stop in Venice. You're probably not going to get picture-perfect weather, but March is always a risk.

CT or the AC in March is iffy and maybe even nasty.