extra day - stay in Sorrento or go to Rome

I’m leaning toward another day in Sorrento just because it’s easier to have future trips to Rome. I know there is no wrong answer but wanted to see what you would do.

I think I 'lean' like you.

As a last resort flip a coin; as you said there is no wrong answer or bad outcome

Only one night in Florence?

yes, only 1 night in Florence. We are not museum people. We will be able to see David and walk around Florence. My husband and I have already been and the kids can go back on their own. It's another city which is easy to visit in the future.

Tough call. You’re already going to CT, there’s some “overlap” with Amalfi Coast sightseeing wise. Amalfi Coast/ Naples could absolutely be the next trip. There’s so much to see and enjoy in this area, it really deserves more time. So, sure an extra day sounds great. But maybe you get radical and switch those CT days to AC days. Or, similarly cut out Sorrento entirely and use those two nights elsewhere (CT, Siena, Florence?) Even with three nights you will have barely scratched the surface there.

I'm with awrzesinski - The CT may not be a good choice because of severe/extreme overcrowding in the last few years and the possibility that some hiking trails will be closed due to winter weather damage.

Also, consider staying in Salerno instead of Sorrento - or splitting your time between the two. You can take a fast train from Florence instead of having to use the problematic local train from Naples to Sorrento (how did you come to the 12.25 arrival time?). The AC is at least as accessible from Salerno by both ferry and bus and the bus trip is all along the scenic section. You can take the train to Pompeii city and then a longish walk or short taxi ride to the excavations. You can take the bus or train to Paestum for the ancient Greek temples too. Salerno is more interesting, it has a well-preserved medieval center, and large (by Italian standard) sandy beach, very good restaurants, and it's cheaper than Sorrento.

Why are you spending a night in Milan? Is it just for convenience on the way to the CT? If there's something you want to see there, you could fly into Milan and go to Venice the next day.

I would go another night in Sorrento.
Take the ferry to Amalfi and Positano.
regards

Chani, Thank you for the suggestions. Its my daughter's graduation trip so I will see what she want to do. I think my family would like the Greek temples. If we cut out CT, we could do Milan 2N, Venice 2N, Florence 2N, Salerno 3 or 4N and Rome 3 or 4N.

Yes, Milan originally was to break up train ride from Venice to CT. However, now were are all very excited to see the Last Supper, Duomo and Leonardo's museum.

Unless the train schedule has changed, we get on the 8:13 in Florence, arrives in Naples at 11:08 and we run downstairs to purchase the C.Express at 11:39 which arrives in Sorrento at 12:25.
Kelly

awrzesinski, thank you for the suggestions.

I appreciate everyone's input!!!

You’re welcome! I like the looks of that itinerary a bit better now, one night stays just means you’re rushing something. I also like the idea of staying in Salerno, you have a good deal of options from there. I would still consider making it four nights in Salerno. Try to make it up to Ravello if you can, and try to make some time for Naples. Naples gets a bad rap, but it’s unlike anywhere else in Italy. Happy planning!

Again, I agree with awrzesinski's ideas. I would also consider only one night in Milan, see the Duomo on arrival, the Last Supper and museum in the morning and take an afternoon train to Venice, which deserves 3N.

I did think you were looking at the local train to Sorrento. Be aware that they can be late and this year's schedules for Italo and Trenitalia as well as the Circumvesuviana and C. Express could change for next year. And in July expect crowds in the station. Of course, you eliminate all that by going to Salerno. The 8.13 you are probably looking at continues to Salerno. No train change, no hassles.

awrzesinski and Chani - thank you again! I’m excited about new itinerary. we don’t like to hike so why had I planned to go to CT. My daughter likes the sea-front hill towns on the calendar but AC has that also. She wants to visit a beach which can also be done in AC. I was not excited about the Circumvesuviana train at all.

Thank you for the suggestion of 1 night in Milan, I was considering the same. Pisa is a must so I may need to add a night to Florence. Then again, not being museum ppl, we could zip over to Pisa for just a morning or afternoon and still see David, Baptistery and Duomo museum besides the RS Renaissance walk.

Thank you for letting me think out loud :)