My husband and I will be in Italy this summer for twelve days. I have been there before, but he has not. I want to go to Sicily and Malta (places I haven't been). He's more interested in Milan and Rome. Any ideas for a possible itinerary?

Whoa. He wants New York and Boston... and you want Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. You've got some talking out to do.

Best wishes,

Rex

Since I've already been to "New York" and "Boston", I wanted to check out some place new. I didn't like Milan that much. I liked Siena and Florence a lot. Any other ideas on something to see besides Rome, Venice, Milan, Siena, Cinque Terre, Florence, Pisa, Pompeii (places I've been) that mighat interest me?

Why don't you do a trip to Rome and the Amalfi Coast? You can fly into Rome and your husband can enjoy the big city atmosphere and all the hustle and bustle, and after you both can escape to the serenity of the Amalfi Coast. You can then fly out of Naples.

Hi tram,

I like the idea of the AC plus a city.

Any reason why DH is interested in Milan?

My preference would be to fly into Venice, plane to Naples (see www.alpieagles.com), see the AC and fly home from Naples.

I'd suggest an open-jaw ticket into Milan and out of Rome. Spend two or three days in each place, enough to give your husband a taste of each one, then the rest of the time in Malta and Sicily.

Wow, your list has most of the highlights for a first timer, and your husband should at least see some of them. How about Rome/Naples/Pompeii, and then a few days in Sicily. Malta is a short flight from Catania and you could also spend a couple of days in Valleta.

I would fly into Rome (couple of days), train to Naples (couple of days and Pompeii), fly to Palermo (a few days in Sicily, from Palermo, to Agrigento, to Catania) and fly to Malta (and fly home from Malta).

I'd skip Milan.

Don't skip Milan!! It is so great in its own way... the eurostar from Rome to Milan isn't that bad. It is about a five hour train ride, but couple that in with a nap, sightseeing of the landscape, a good but overpriced lunch on the train with a couple of prosecco's in the restuarant cabin and next thing you know you've already arrived.

Trust me, my mom is the biggest complainer and she didn't find the time spent on the train fustrating...

Can you compromise on this one? How about Rome, the Amalfi Coast and Sicily. You should allow your husband to experience some of the more commonly visited sites in Italy. While Sicily is one of the most fabulous places I have been, I am glad I experienced Florence, Rome and Venice several times before venturing further afield.