After Rome, Venice, and Florence, what is the fourth best tourist city in Italy? (bridge, attraction)

[Aredhel]

I chose Naples because it is such a contrast to Rome, Florence, and Venice. Plus, it's got easy connections to Sorrento (and from there, the Amalfi Coast).

[PamelaIamela]

Sorrento.. nice town and a great base for touring ... Capri, Naples, Amalfi coast, Pompeii, etc.

ETA: Naples is a great base too.. didn't notice it on the extensive list.
But Sorrento is my fav.

[cachibatches]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

Siena. It’s along the Rome, Florence, Venice route so the easiest 4th city to add to your itinerary. It’s small so most people wouldn’t spend a lot of days there. I’ve been to Milan and Turin a few times for business. I like Milan but I don’t think I’d spend my money to visit again.

I’m not sure why the OP is limiting it to cities. Sometimes, you just want to unplug from the world and relax for a week. Getting mowed down by guided tour groups in the Vatican Museum or San Marco doesn’t achieve that.

Because I really like cities, but, as said in the opening post, if you want to mention something else, just mention it in the context of its gateway city (Lake Como for Milan, Pompeii for Naples, etc).

Originally Posted by cachibatches

We are only counting Metropolitan cities, not provinces, regions, towns, or any other designation (Almafi Coast, Cinque Terre, Pompeii, Lake Como, Tuscany, Alps...), although mentioning that a given city is a launching point to get to some of these other destinations is perfectly legitimate.

Thanks for asking for the clarification, and here are some examples:

Originally Posted by MarisaMay

Turin is a beautiful city, not as much drowning in tourists as some others, surrounded by a stunning region.

Originally Posted by RamenAddict

I like Milan as well. Some people don’t like it, but many of the attractions are interesting and quite reasonably priced compared to the other destinations. It isn’t quite as overrun with tourists as many of the other locations and I kind of liked the more normal city feel. It is a little too big for just a day trip and good for a home base for day trips to Verona, Lake Cuomo, etc.

Originally Posted by Aredhel

I chose Naples because it is such a contrast to Rome, Florence, and Venice. Plus, it's got easy connections to Sorrento (and from there, the Amalfi Coast).

Thank you all for your responses,and I hope this clarifies. This is intended to be a fun thread, and I am not exuding anyone, I would just like the info in the context of cities.

[victimofGM]

I voted for other. I was stationed in a small sleepy city of Gaeta and loved it. It was quiet, peaceful, filled with friendly people, family restaurants, small family farms providing produce, small fishermen providing fresh seafood to local restaurants, clean beach, historical sites, and located halfway between Naples and Rome.

[Brave New World]

Bologna should be on the list.

Bologna city guide: what to see plus the best bars, restaurants and hotels - The Guardian

Bologna travel | Emilia-Romagna, Italy - Lonely Planet

[ComeCloser]

Bari -

Lots of nice nearby attractions for day trips, also ferries to other countries. Many people speak English because it is a tourist city. Picturesque port city with fishing and seafood. Leave your accommodations and turn East or West - either way you hit a beach.

[Fortituda]

As a Sienese I voted my hometown

[SunGrins]

Perugia is a hill town in Umbria (now much enlarged beyond the historical center) that is known for chocolate (Baci Perugina), the annual jazz festival, the artist Pietro Perugino, being close to Assisi (you can see it), the Etruscan gate and walls, and the nightly passeggiata stroll along Corso Vannucci. It is a laid-back medieval university town. Stay in the historic center.

[jimmneycrimmney]

Sienna has the most amazing art and architecture. Do not miss it. Lucca is also incredible.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by mikeyyc

I'd put Milan and Naples/Pompeii far ahead of the literal cesspool that is Venice.

To each his own. To me, what you have referred to as a "cesspool" is the most amazing, enchanting, beautiful city in the world.