I don't think much of Gargano as a destination, either its natural features or its towns. It would certainly be hard to fill up 8 days on Gargano with a variety of interesting things to do, and once you are on the promontory, it is a long drive getting off, so day trips would not be easy. In August, you'd probably find the Gargano just of zoo of cheap holiday-package revelers. If you do decide to go, see if you can fly into Bari.

Beach resorts in Sardinia are modern and isolated from the local culture, so you'll miss out the local life you say interests you. It is hard to explore the island without road-tripping, and competing for space along the coast in Sardinia in August would not be my cup of tea.

I think you might find Calabria the more open and relaxing place than eastern Sicily, whose towns are alternately jammed to the gills with tourists or else not interested in catering to them. I have been told that August is a very happy time in Calabria, because it is when many young Italians who have relocated north for work return home for their summer vacation, so the piazze are filled from early evening to long into the night with families and neighbors catching up -- it might be something lovely to experience. But you would really need to be prepared for the fierce heat of midday, and get off your normal clock and more into the rhythm of life of that hot part of Italy, where nothing goes on midday except resting.

http://www.travelerslunchbox.com/journal/2008/3/9/5-things-to-love-about-calabria.html

I've never been to Palma de Majorca

Hi GoldenAutumn,

Great advice. However, I forgot to add one more destination that we were first considering:

- Fly into Dubrovnik, Croatia, spend 3 nights, then take a ferry to Hvar Island, where we will spend 5 nights


How does this compare with Calabria or my other choices?

Andrea

Depend of the time of the year..Croatia beach time would not be good outside late May - early Sept.

A gorgeous city with a fantastic beach....Valencia!

I've not been, so can't answer! It normally might be cooler in Croatia than in Calabria in August, but you never can be sure where a heat wave will hit. Also, it might be much more humid in Croatia, and I would prefer a drier heat. But if those sorts of things matter to you, then do some research, because I am just guessing.

I would also "guess" that Croatia -- especially the places you've mentioned -- are much more touristic and tourist-driven than Calabria. There are some northern Europeans who see Calabria as a cheap vacation, and there are places set up for them along the beaches, but there is really no place in Calabria that is on the international "tourist map" like Croatia is today. Croatia is sort of trendy for middle-class travelers -- many of whom wouldn't dream of setting foot it Calabria. Too unknown for them. So depends on what you are looking for in terms of amenities and overall experience.

I have visitor Dubrovnik many times ...it has never been humid,
but who knows what the weather is like any more
Yes, it is jammed in August.

Air Berlin flies to many destinations in the south.

Goldenautumn, Thanks for including that web site. It is just wow!

Hi,

I should have mentioned we are travelling in late July/early August.

As well, we do not mind travelling to places less touristy. For example, two years ago, we travelled down to the southern part of Puglia, staying in Lecce and Otranto, and used them as bases to see so many other wonderful places in that area.

Andrea

To add even more confusion, what about flying into Naples, then taking a ferry to the Aeolian Islands, and spending a week there, maybe even dividing the time between two of the islands.

Andrea

Take a serious look at the Aeolian islands. Island hopping there is so easy and each one is different and so beautiful. My favorite is Panerea but I could spend time on any of them. One of those places I need to see again...just beautiful. Not sure where you are from but few Americans or Canadians go there or have ever heard of it.