Italy itinerary in March

If you like Baroque, I'd suggest Turin from Milan. For Florence, if you never have been to Sienna, that would be my top suggestion.

Ooh, didn’t know about Turin, I’ll research. We stopped in Siena on a previous trip, so would want a different town or tour this time.

In Milan you can spend quite a lot of time in art museums. I'd suggest digging into those before firming up the number of nights you want to spend there.

I haven't been to Turin yet, but I have a long list of Art Nouveau buildings to see there. I'm looking forward to spending over a week there at some point.

The weather was decent for me when I went to Rome in Feb/Mar 2023, but I was bothered by the short days (which situation noticeably improved by mid-March) and was well aware the temperature didn't get up to 40F until around noon. One thing I did differently on that trip (my only visit to Europe outside the May-October period) was take a full-length raincoat in addition to my packable rain jacket. I didn't use the coat very often, but I was very glad I had it. The coat fit in my suitcase on hotel-change days.

Have been several times in March and temperatures were not severe, with some very nice days, as well as some rainy days. Have also experienced quite cold and blustery days but we were in the mountains, which isn’t part of your itinerary. I always take a warm jacket which doubles as a raincoat and therefore saves space.

I feel pretty good about my Eddie Bauer Girl on the Go trench. I spray it with waterproofing before trips. That and a good hat should get me through.

It’s a good point about the art in Milan. I might not actually have time for any day trips from there.

Frankly Milan doesn't deserve three nights, in fact consider deleting it.
Stick to the big three, Venice, Florence and Rome.

Rome need way more than three days.
There is a great high speed train from Venice to Florence and then to Rome.

We enjoyed our 3 nights in Milan very much. And we didn’t have time for a day trip. Highly recommend having a guided tour of the Milan cathedral, including the rooftop tour. It is amazing! Must buy tickets in advance.

Be sure to plan your trip so that your only day to see the last supper is NOT the first Sunday of the month. That is free admission day and impossible to get tickets. I tried. It was impossible. There are many art museums and churches in Milan. So lots to keep you busy. We also enjoyed exploring the Brera district.

You could visit Lucca as a day trip from Florence. It’s a lovely city with gorgeous churches, many piazzas, and a wall with a promenade for walking and bike riding.

Milan is less lovable for sure, but coming or going from Italy we've probably spent a week there, total. The Brera is a great art gallery, the monumental cemetery is the best one we've seen, the roof of the cathedral is wonderful, the canal district is fun, and we enjoyed the Noah's ark fresco and other in situ paintings in San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore. Never did a day trip from Milan, never seen the Last Supper.

If you are flying into Venice and out of Rome, Padua could be a nice stopover. The Scrovegni chapel is unmissable and the Basilica of Saint Anthony is stuffed with art. Also the frescoes upstairs in the Palazzo della Ragione. The markets are my favorite anywhere. Check it out if you haven't been to Padua.

From Milan, I would day trip to Bergamo. Turin is nice, but it’s a big city more apt for a 2 or 3 nights visit than a day trip.

From Florence, I would day trip to Pisa, maybe spend 3 or 4 hours in the late afternoon.

For an art and history focus, Pisa is terrific. The tower is the least interesting building in the Piazza dei Miracoli, although it is fun to watch people taking their photos. The Campo Santo’s history from its construction to its frescoes to its near destruction in WW2 to its restoration, for example. Sculptures in the cathedral and baptistery. The sinopie museum.

Pavia is a good day trip from Milan. Less than an hour by train. Very walkable. Good churches and Visconti Castle. Certosa di Pavia is amazing and very doable.
Brad

Thank you all! We may be pivoting to Venice-Bologna-Florence-Rome instead of Milan. I am thinking we could do Milan on a future trip in a warmer month when the Lake Como area would be more inviting. As far as Rome needing more time, I agree, but we’ve been three times before and I love it!