Working our way through italy on a budget and time

So you are arriving in Milan from Naples?
If so you would take the airport train called the Malpensa Express to Milan Central train station. From there you can catch a train to Monterosso ( one of the 5 towns that make up the Cinque Terre. Are you intending to stay there one night? If so there are trains everyday all day running from there to somewhere in Tuscany like Florence for example. From Florence you can easily go to Rome and from Rome to the Amalfi coast area.
You should get a Google map of Italy to get an idea of the distances of the places you want to go to.

Hi,
We are arriving Milan from the U.S. Spending 1 1/2 days in Monterosso. As I am writing this I am mapping out train times on Rail Europe and ferry sites. Two nights in Tuscany. Taking a train from Monterroso to Pisa and a train from Florence to Naples. Once in Naples we are hoping to take the hydrofoil to Ischia for the night. From Ischia, do you recommend taking the hydrofoil directly to the Amalfi area or back to Naples and then a train to Amalfi? In all we are looking at airbnb.

Thank you,

With nine nights you are planning too many stops and not enough enjoyment. If the Amalfi Coast is a must. drop the Cinque Terre. If you go to the Cinque Terre, drop the AC.

Here's what I suggest

• Arrive Malpensa and (assuming you arrive before noon) take a train immediately to Florence. Use www.Trainline.eu to explore schedules. Spend 4 nights (which is 3 full days) and day trip into the countryside. You could rent a car for one day to explore Chianti, or contact Tours By Roberto to arrange something. Also take a day trip to Siena and of course devote a day to Florence itself.

• Take a train to Naples and on to Sorrento. Base here and day trip to Pompeii as well as taking the bus down the Amlafi Coast to Amalfi Town, stopping if you like in Positano. (Frankly I think Capri is overrated and overpriced.) Spend 3 nights (which is only two full days).

• Take a ferry to Ischia early the next day and spend your one night here since I sense you really want that island taste.

• Take the ferry to Naples for your last night. You could spend much of the day on Ischia and make the most of your island time or go to Naples early and see the museum, take Rick Steves' self-guided walk, etc. Spend one night before you fly out.

There is also a bus from Sorrento train station directly to Naples airport if the timing works for you. Air conditioned and comfortable.