southern italy? hmmmmm.
Jul 7th, 2015, 02:44 PM
#1
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southern italy? hmmmmm.
going to celebrate my 60th with my husband in last two weeks of Oct. Have been online researching the southern Italy coasts and wondering how best to spend two weeks. Want to sightsee and get off the tourist grind but also would love to spend time in fabulous hotels and eat great meals. Would be so grateful to those who have done a similar trip covering two weeks to determine how best to spend the time. Would love to drive the Amalfi coast but want to shop, wander, hike, etc. I hear Oct may not be beach time and it may rain a lot.
Jul 7th, 2015, 04:00 PM
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Being on the AC in late October could be lovely. No tourists, great hotels, fantastic food and good hiking. You could have a car, no problem. It would be easy to combine time on the AC and time in Puglia, if you didn't want to spend the entire time on the AC.
No guarantee of weather, but there is no guarantee anywhere you go in late October.
No guarantee of weather, but there is no guarantee anywhere you go in late October.
Jul 7th, 2015, 05:06 PM
#4
We spent a few days in Maratea at Villa Cheta Elite, a lovely hotel. Maratea and the area around it is beautiful and virtually tourist free when we we there in May. Nearby and interesting is the Cilento coast. We were there a few days and really enjoyed it. Also in Basilicata is Martea which is a fascinating place. There are some very nice hotels and restaurants there. Agree that you could also include Puglia or Sicily, both are wonderful.
While I doubt that the Amalfi Coast will be jam packed, I would expect crowds. We were there in October a couple years ago and people told us it stays busy through the end of October.
While I doubt that the Amalfi Coast will be jam packed, I would expect crowds. We were there in October a couple years ago and people told us it stays busy through the end of October.
Jul 7th, 2015, 05:06 PM
#5
Amalfi Coast would be good and I think quiet at the end of October. We were there at the other end of the season - early March - and it was great, cool weather with a slight drizzle now and then and mostly locals from what I could tell.
Another option might be the Aeolian Islands, off Sicily. You could include some of Sicily as well if you wanted. We visited Lipari which is lovely, lots of shops and restaurants. I'm not sure if the islands close down after the main season but you could check that out. Weather would likely be warmer as you are further south. From memory we caught the ferry from Milazzo. Taormina is not far from there, we also loved our time there. Food for thought!
And Malta just occurred to me, a real gem of a country that has a rich history, the main area around Valletta was built by the Knights of St John. They speak English too which can be a blessing sometimes, also their own language. We'd go back there like a shot.
Kay
Another option might be the Aeolian Islands, off Sicily. You could include some of Sicily as well if you wanted. We visited Lipari which is lovely, lots of shops and restaurants. I'm not sure if the islands close down after the main season but you could check that out. Weather would likely be warmer as you are further south. From memory we caught the ferry from Milazzo. Taormina is not far from there, we also loved our time there. Food for thought!
And Malta just occurred to me, a real gem of a country that has a rich history, the main area around Valletta was built by the Knights of St John. They speak English too which can be a blessing sometimes, also their own language. We'd go back there like a shot.
Kay
Jul 8th, 2015, 03:27 PM
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I am so impressed with the responses! So much better than using trip advisor, my old stand by. I read each with interest and I am certain I will be asking more questions as my planning continues. Puglia Amalfi Coast Sicily…all being considered. Happy to receive any and all suggestions. Thanks again.
Jul 8th, 2015, 09:00 PM
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Several years ago I combined about 5 days on the Amalfi coast with 8 days in Sicily and while I turned out not to be such a huge fan of the Amalfi coast (2 days would be about enough for me), I really enjoyed my 8 days in Siciliy. I was very selective about what I wanted to see in Sicily, so I knew going in I wasn't going to "see Sicily" (that would take a lot more than 2 weeks or even 2 months. I know other people who have spent a week or so in Sicily and had a great time, but they too cherry-picked what they personally wanted to do and got out of the mindset of "doing" Sicily.
I flew from Naples to Catania, picked up a car and started my trip in Taormina, then went to Ortygia/Siracusa, Modica, Agrigento and Monreale. I flew out of Palermo airport, although I didn't go into the city at all. Like I said, I knew I wasn't conquering Sicily on that trip, but it wasn't my intention, and I was thrilled to be there and with everything I saw (except all those tourists in Taormina! I would never spend nights there again.)
I flew from Naples to Catania, picked up a car and started my trip in Taormina, then went to Ortygia/Siracusa, Modica, Agrigento and Monreale. I flew out of Palermo airport, although I didn't go into the city at all. Like I said, I knew I wasn't conquering Sicily on that trip, but it wasn't my intention, and I was thrilled to be there and with everything I saw (except all those tourists in Taormina! I would never spend nights there again.)
