Planning an every 5 years girls' trip to celebrate our big birthdays. Previous trips were Barcelona, then Milan/Lake Como. We are all well--traveled so hard to find a place no one has been to that we are all in agreement on. Both Sicily or the Amalfi Coast fit the bill. We have about 6 nights and enjoy soaking up the atmosphere, culture and sightseeing. Have seen a lot of churches and ruins in the past and not a high priority at this point. Browsing in shops and walking to everything also high on the list.. May is usually the best time for the three of us. Hotels needn't be fancy but AC a must. None of us are comfortable driving in Europe and have used trains and boats in past as well as a few day-trip companies and drivers to get around. All suggestions appreciated!

AC!! Lots to do. The big question is always where to base yourselves. We stayed in Positano and thought it was a good central locale. I don't think 6 nights would be enough time for Sicily.

(PS This thread will soon be moved by the mods to the Europe forum.)

I was going to say Sicily, but dcd is right: 6 nights is not really enough time there. Sicily deserves at least 10 days, if not a lot more, imo.
I haven't been to AC in over 25 years, so I can't speak to that.

by AC I meant air conditioning!! What does AC mean otherwise!

Amalfi Coast.

And "mods" = moderators. They move all travel Qs out of the Lounge once they see them and transplant them into the appropriate travel forum. We who spend most of our time in the Lounge are happy to help with travel Qs here, but the mods believe, and perhaps correctly, that you will get more input from the Europe forum (it's just that they aren't always as nice as we are).

May in Sicily would be phenomenal (I went in March/April), but six nights is really tight. And although Sicily has a LOT to offer, if churches/ruins/history aren't a priority, it will be easier and perhaps more enjoyable to go to the Amalfi Coast, which is gorgeous and relaxing.

I agree with the others that 6 days is barely enough to scratch even a very small bit of Sicily's surface. I'd add that while one can visit parts of Sicily without a car, some parts are difficult to see with public transportation unless one has a lot of time.

In contrast, I think the Amalfi coast lends itself very nicely to a 6 day vacation, particularly given the interests you mention.

And May is a perfect time to visit these locations!

Can only add my voice to those above: for sure, Sicily requires more than 6 nights. We too, are eyeing the AC for the Spring (a return after 30 yrs) but will probably back the timeline a few weeks into mid-April as a starting point coz posters here are saying that the public buses have now become 'sardined full' as soon as May begins. 'Walking to everything is high on the list': you could base yourselves in Positano, but be aware that it is steep even by local standards. Amalfi town or its picturesque neighbour, Atrani, could also make suitable bases, especially as the former is the main bus/ferry transit hub----those of you who wish to stay put could do so, while the restless could visit some of the nearby towns, beaches and isles.
Tante belle cose.
I am done. The AC.

If it were me, I would choose one location in Sicily, or Ischia, and use buses to get around from there. Look at Palermo at Ischia Porto. After exploring many of the Italian coastal areas, Amalfi Coast strikes me a too much of an overpriced tourist magnet, as beautiful as it is. For my money, I would go to the Cilento, a bit further south. Also look at the Adriatic beaches.