May in Italy
 

Hi
We are planning to go to Italy in may 2013. We have been to Rome and this time around want to see Naples, Milan, Florence and Amalfi Cost.
Do you think it makes sense to visit Milan and Rome? Where on Amalfi should we stay (Sorrento, Amalfi, Capri, etc) How should we commute among the cities (train or car) ?
Thank you in advance .

Hi Dmitriy, and welcome.

How many days (not including travel) will you have?

You initially mentioned 3 areas: Milan; Florence; Naples/Amalfi. For me alone, I'd give Milan 2 days; a week each in the other 2 areas. Fly into Milan and out of Naples. If you have another few day

My husband and I based in Sorrento and took bus, train and ferry to towns in the area.

Since we were there, newer high-speed trains are options but other Fodor folks will have to help. Italy has great train. Busses are good also, but we had a more difficult time sorting through all of the local ones. Once we arrived in a town, they were easy to find.

what TD says. how long do you have?

I agree with TDudette - we need to know how long you have for your trip to really help.

Are you asking whether it makes sense to go to Milan and Rome in the same trip, since they're both big cities? They're completely different in character, so if it fits in your trip I'd say go for it. Milan wasn't that exciting to me, but some people do really like it. I don't know much about the Amalfi Coast, but for the rest of your trip I'd definitely take the train. You don't want to drive in the big cities anyway.

Thank you for your replies. We are planning to spend 10 days over all

With 10 days, personally, I would spend 5 days on the AC and Naples, 1 day to travel to Florence and 4 days in Florence or some other place in Tuscany. There is so much to do/see in both places; they are different and wonderful, and May is a perfect time for both.

So, considering my time limit you would not recommend visiting Milan?
You are saying that it make sense to fy to Florence, go to Naples and spend rest of the days in Sorrento and near by cities and fly out from Naples?

IMO, No to Milan, Yes to Florence and Naples on this trip.

On the AC, you could visit Naples (for the museums, food, etc), Pompeii (also Herculaneum), Capri (some love it, others not, but they like it more overnight), Positano (IMHO, one of the most beautiful places I've been), Amalfi, Ravello, and (if you are into archeological sites) Paestum (Greek temples).

From Florence: Siena, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano. If you rent a car and stay outside of Florence: Volterra, Pienza, Montalcino, etc, etc. Lots of options in Tuscany. It is such a beautiful and unique area.

It also depends on your personal interests. If you love bigger cities, fashion, want to see the duomo and Last Supper, and don't mind a lot of travel, then Milan might still be for you.

Any hotel recommendations? Florence, Naples and Sorrento. Travel sire has a lot of B&B. They look pretty good, plus breakfast, but picture is one thing and reality is much different. Just wanted to gather your opinion and experience.

I cut myself off but it was to go to Rome if you had any extra days and fly out of there. Since you have 10 days, I agree with Sassafrass and would split between Florence and Sorrento.

Once you have found B&Bs that work with your budget and tastes, please also check Trip Advisor and then here with names of specific places. If a Fodorite has stayed there, they can advise.

Florence has good train and bus service. If you love a big city, stay in Naples; otherwise, I'd suggest Sorrento.

I agree that Milan is the outlier and should be dropped, given your short time.

For Florence you can fly into (or out of) the airport at Pisa and train to Florence. This trip cries out for open-jaws plane tickets, into Pisa/Florence, out of Naples or vice versa. Hopefully you can avoid the Rome airport. That would require a night in Rome.

And stick to trains and buses for ground transportation.