itinerary indecision--which one would you choose?

Hi there. Personally, I would choose #2, less moving around & you're not dealing with the Amalfi Coast's lack of infrastructure in the peak season & the heat. I also think it hits most of what you say you're looking for on this trip -

We like architecture, history, great food, islands/coast, medieval villages, castles, festivals and mountains/hiking.

Something to consider, would be flying into Rome & out of Milan if you choose this itinerary, no need to (take the train?) all the way to Munich when you're already in the Dolomites, which are stunning. There will still be many travelers at that time in the north, but many Italian tend to take sweltering August off. Good luck!

I'm not sure there's enough variety of activities for 4 nights on Ponza unless you primarily want beach time. I could be wrong, however, so I hope you hear from someone who has spent more time on the island than I have (one night) and more recently (early 1990s!).

I also wonder about 4 nights in Minori, especially coming right after 4 nights on Ischia, but I am not a lie-on-the-beach person or a hiker, and I get twitchy when I run out of things to see in a small town.

I think all your itineraries are well-thought-out and offer good variety, assuming a lot of coastal time is a high priority.

1. It really depends on what day trip you wish to do from Minori. If you are going to stay on the island and then plan the Minori part carefully, you won't really be dealing with transport difficulties (but the crowds, oy--not sure I'd take a free trip to the AC until this fever dream over it passes, lol). It is not terribly difficult to get to Pompeii from Minori, for example, but less easy than from Sorrento (which is a snap). With the ferry running from Minori now (it didn't when I was there), it should not be too difficult to get around.
   I don't love the long trek from Orvieto to Ischia. You might need to insert a night in there somewhere (before airport).

2. I am enamored with the idea of Ponza, and I like the balance on this one. I'd also look for alternatives to flying out of Munich though. If you have a car, you'll want to drop in in Italy.

3. I love Croatia but I lean toward one country trips. I also have not been back to Croatia recently enough to comment on summer crowds, but early June should be okay.

1 but look at Puglia (southeast coast of Italy) or Naples/south of Naples as less busy options to the Amalfi Coast. I have not been to Puglia yet but I've heard great things about that area and it usually has significantly less crowds.

2 is nice but has probably 1 more stop than I'd feel like doing on a longer trip.

Just had another thought about Ponza. If you want coast/beaches but also want more things to do, look at the southern tip of Tuscany. There are world class beaches, a fantastic park (Ucellina/Maremma park) where you can rent bikes and hike and see Maremma cows, Etruscan sites galore-- I think a nine year old would love the "via cave." You can sometimes see flamingos in the lagoon at Orbetello (it's a WWF site and very seasonal). I am sure there are other things I am forgetting.
I would not mind a getaway where I just enjoy nature, especially after blockbuster sites in Rome, but you could potentially skip the ferry.

Wow, thank you all so much for the very helpful suggestions!! I very much appreciate the time and thought that you put into considering my various itinerary options. My problem is I'm just so indecisive. :)

It sounds like the general consensus is that it might be better to go north after Rome and Spello, rather than south. I have considered Puglia and would love to experience it, but I'm wondering if it might be too hot and with shops/restaurants closing up in the middle of the day might be less convenient. I have also considered the Cilento coast, but would still probably be dealing with the less than ideal transportation options/infrastructure to get there, even if it is less crowded. So maybe going north is the way to go.

Valadelphia, Thanks for the suggestion to look into Maremma. I started looking into it on my lunch today and it seems there are a ton of great things to see and do there. Do you have a suggestion for a town for a home base in that area? I also have considered Elba, but have not really looked into it much. Thoughts?

I appreciate the suggestion to look into flying home from Milan rather than Munich. I think Munich is actually closer to the Dolomites than Milan? Or maybe it's a comparable distance/travel time? I will look into this further. As far as the rental car, I was thinking of renting it in Brixen, staying in Santa Magdalena, and returning the rental car to Brixen before taking public transport (train?) to Munich for flight home. Maybe Innsbruck is also an option for return flight home, which would be closer than Munich, but likely more expensive. I don't have any great desire to spend time in Munich but the flights to the west coast from Munich tend to be pretty good (better prices and better flight times) than other locations I've looked at. If we flew home from Munich we could possibly do a day trip to Salzburg, which I would be keen on.

Another thought I've had for getting mountains and hiking in would be to go somewhere in the Apennines closer to Rome/Spello to avoid going as far north. Thoughts?

Thank you all again so much!!

Looked into flying home from Milan rather than Munich. I think Munich is actually closer to the Dolomites than Milan? Dang, sorry about that, you're absolutely right, by train approximately 3.75 hours versus 4.5 hours to Milan. Not sure where you live on the West Coast, but MUC has a lot of flights on LH & UA, both Star Alliance carriers, but watch out for LH STRICT carryon restrictions, much written on forum about it. If you're going to Verona, you may find day hikes around that area, minus the stunning mountains in the Dolomites but not as far away.

There is so much here on how to pack light the mind boggles, maybe start here. (Since you're moving around quite a bit by public transport, heavier suitcases become a real burden.)
https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/packing-light.

It sounds like the general consensus is that it might be better to go
north after Rome and Spello, rather than south. I have considered
Puglia and would love to experience it, but I'm wondering if it might
be too hot and with shops/restaurants closing up in the middle of the
day might be less convenient. I have also considered the Cilento
coast, but would still probably be dealing with the less than ideal
transportation options/infrastructure to get there, even if it is less
crowded. So maybe going north is the way to go.

On these points, you would want a car for Cilento (we did a short jaunt there without one but would take a car next time), but I think you'd find more for your child to enjoy in the Maremma area. Puglia also seems great for a kid, but indeed it would be hotter (but Tuscany gets plenty hot, too!).

Valadelphia, Thanks for the suggestion to look into Maremma. I started
looking into it on my lunch today and it seems there are a ton of
great things to see and do there. Do you have a suggestion for a town
for a home base in that area? I also have considered Elba, but have
not really looked into it much. Thoughts?

With Elba, it is the same as Ponza, you have the added complication of a ferry ride (not a daunting task, just that it eats some time you may not want to spend, plus there is more to "do" on the mainland.)
I have stayed in Orbetello, Porto Santo Stefano, and Pitigliano in south, and Massa Marittima and Campiglia Marittima a bit further north. All are close to fantastic beaches (some of my favorite in Italy) and at varying distances to Etruscan archaeology sites (many around Pitigliano, the one at Populonia/Baratti is really cool).
It is my favorite area so I do harp on it, but only when someone is looking for a scenic coastline!

Another thought, re:

Another thought I've had for getting mountains and hiking in would be
to go somewhere in the Apennines closer to Rome/Spello to avoid going
as far north. Thoughts?

I don't know this area of mountains as well, but after Spello you could definitely keep heading east. If Ancona is an option for your outbound flight (Lufthansa does this route), maybe Sibillini National Park? I went to Ascoli Piceno and hiked there a couple times. Frasassi Caves are spectacular! You could even end with your beach time (Sirolo south of Ancona is gorgeous, as is Senigallia north of Ancona). The Sirolo area would give you a little preview of what Croatia's beaches are like for a future trip (I saw a similarity in the color of the Adriatic and the smooth pebble beaches with trees coming down to the shore).
That's the problem with Italy--everywhere you look, you see amazing options!

I like #1. Make sure you visit Perugia and Assisi while in Umbria.

The Amalfi Coast along with Sorrento, Capri and Pompeii is with 4 nights.

Thank you all so much for weighing in!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. :)
I think it's getting harder to decide, rather than easier. So many great options. Love the idea of Pitigliano and the Etruscan archeology sites and great beaches. Also, Ascoli Piceno and the coastal area near Ancona sound great. Initially, it seemed more people were in support of going north, but I think now it seems to be divided 50/50 between recommendations for itinerary #1 and 2. I definitely have a lot to think about and some more research to do. Thanks again so much.