We will be visiting our son in Florence the 2nd week of March. We have done this trip before when visiting our daughter and toured Rome, Pisa, Sienna and Florence. We only have 10 days this trip and can't decide if we should visit Northern Italy or the Amalfi coast and then spend some time in Florence. My son wants us to meet him in Istanbul for 5 days and then head to Florence. Any suggestions? Not sure if the weather will be a factor or if places will be closed because of the season.
I think South is preferable in March. I'd pick Amalfi or similar over North. As you get closer to the Alps it will seem less like Spring and more like Winter in March.
I was in Italy in March (Venice, Florence, and Rome) and we hit most of the major museums in each city, as well as historical sites like Santa Croce, the Colosseum, etc. I don't think we were inconvenienced by "winter" hours. It was chilly and rainy, esp. in the north (Venice and Verona), but the weather got better as we went south.
We were in Italy in March 2009: Siena, Florence, Rome. While it was chilly in Siena and cool in Florence, it was comfortable in Rome. Of the museums, churches, and other sites we experienced no closure because of the season. We did have a day of rain in Florence but also many sunny days, and a day of showers in Rome but it was fairly warm. Bring layers and gloves, scarves, hats, and umbrellas to be prepared for what ever the weather brings. Florence is closer to Northern Italy therefore less travel time. Amalfi coast to Florence will take several hours travel. You have to decide what you want to see. We will also be in Italy in March of this year: Venice, Ravenna, Sorrento (Amalfi coast) and Rome. Fingers crossed on the weather for this year.