Any help for the query below would be really appreciated – Im having a tough time trying to come up with a plan!

My boyfriend and I will be in Italy next May for 16 days and would like to travel through one or all of the following regions (Tuscany, Campania, Sicily) but only have 16 days. I realise that this will be impossible, so Im trying to decide on whether to do Tuscany then travel down to Campania, or Campania then travel down to Sicily – or just do Campania. In terms of interest, I’d like a good mix of things to do – relax, sightseeing, history, food, wine, beach etc.

What Ive tried to do is break each region down by what Id like to do and how long I should stay in each area, so any feedback on this would be great.

Campania
Day 1 Naples
Day 2 Naples
Day 3 Capri
Day 4 Procida
Day 5 Positano
Day 6 Almafi
Day 7 Ravello
Day 8 Pompei
Day 9 Paestum

Is this too long to spend in this region? Also, Id like to stay in one town around the Almafi coast and use that as a base to visit the other towns – which town would you recommend I base myself in for this?

Tuscany
Day 10 Pisa
Day 11 Florence
Day 12 Florence
Day 13 Sienna
Day 14 Sienna

(Remaining 2 days for travel between areas). Is this cutting it too fine? Are there other areas you would suggest? I don’t have a car so easy train travel is essential.

Sicily
I haven’t done too much thinking about this area, but thought this may be a better option than Tuscany, as most people in recent posts have raved about this area. I’d like to see Mt Etna ad perhaps go to the Aeolian Islands. But any suggestions would be appreciated aswell!

>>Is this too long to spend in this region?<< IMO, yes. Flip i - spend more time in Tuscany, less in Campania.

>>Also, Id like to stay in one town around the Almafi coast and use that as a base to visit the other towns – which town would you recommend I base myself in for this?<< IMO, Sorrento. From there you can easily go to any of the others.

Hi Simone,

Are you going mid-late May?

With 16 days, I would:

Fly into Venice 3 days Venice
5 days Florence with a day trip to Siena (only one n) and one to Bologna or Orvieto

Train to Naples 2 days
Train and Bus to Praiano
5-6 days on the Amalfi Coast
Fly home from Naples

See my trip report for details:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

I would not spend a day in Pisa.

We just returned from a 17 day trip to Tuscany and Sicily. I love Tuscany, especially Florence, and had a fabulous visit but Sicily is something else again. Tuscany is a place for leisurely days, enjoying the countryside and pleasant villages, eating delicious food and drinking good wine. Sicily is a feast for all of your senses. It is beautiful, warm, exhuberent, dramatic, delicious and historic. There is so much to see and do at every turn. The food is wonderful, the wine good, the people the warmest I have encountered on 6 trips to Italy. And, we had many relaxing times, sitting on the terrace of our hotel, drinking wine or a cappucino and looking at Mt. Etna. I think Sicily would satisfy the list of things you want to do. And I think 16 days would be too long to stay only in Tuscany. Have you thought about combining two of the areas? We really enjoyed the combo of Tuscany and Sicily.

I, too, would vote for the Tuscany/Sicily combo. IMHO that Naples/Positano coastal area is an excellent way to spend a weekend, but not to "dig in".

We have spent a lot of time in Tuscany/Umbria and it is endlessly interesting. But last March was our first trip to Sicily and we were blown away. It was all other posters have suggested (esp liked the eloquence of Mamc) and more...do try to see Noto and Siracusa area, very untouristy, strange blend of ancient ruins, long spectacular hikes w/o meeting another soul and boisterous modern vivacity for food, life, art and music along the coastal resorts.

Hi,
Guess this will just add confusion but I spent 10 days in Campania May a year ago. 2 nights Naples, 3 nights Capri, rest Ravello. This gave time for Pompeii, Naples sightseeing, AC drive and downtime in Ravello. Did not get to Paestum. (Next trip maybe).
Florence is great as are the hill towns of Tuscany. Have not been to Sicily yet. Sooo I do think you will have to choose and leave one out--either Tuscany or Sicily it seems. Happy travels!!

Simone,

I completed a 17-day trip in exactly the 3 regions you mentioned this summer and I would say it is doable, but on a tight schedule. Below is my last itinerary:

Day 1 Arrive Rome in early morning, drive to Montalcino, visited Sant Antimo Bascilica which was nearby
Day 2 Siena/ San Gimignango
Day 3 Pienza/ Monterpulciano, scenic drive around the valley
Day 4 Cortona/ Orvieto
Day 5 Fly from Rome to Catania in Sicily, then stayed at Taormina
Day 6 Isola Bella, Castelmola in Taormina
Day 7 Greek Theater in the morning, then drive to Siracusa: Ortygia, Archaelogical Park
Day 8 Siracusa to Agrigento (Valley of the Temples, then drive to Palermo
Day 9 Palermo/ Cefalu
Day 10 Monreale/Palermo (night ferry from Palermo to Naples)
Day 11 Naples
Day 12 Capri Island, stayed at Sorrento
Day 13 Positano/ Ravello
Day 14 Naples to Rome
Day 15-17 Rome

I did not go to Florence as I had been there in the last Italy trip.

I strongly recommend the following places:
Siena, San Gimi, Monterpulciano, Orvieto (Tuscany and Umbria)
Taormina, Monreale, Cefalu
(Sicily)
Sorrento, Ravello (Campania)

Depends on what is your preference, I would say my last trip was comprehensive enough: Tuscany for pastoral landscape, Sicily for historic relics and Campania for coastal scenery. It was a very memorable and rewarding trip to me. Hope you will also enjoy your forthcoming trip very much.