John

My wife and I are planning our midlife crisis getaway. We will start by spending 3 months traveling around Europe starting in April 2002. We would like to spend the first month in a relatively temperate, sunny climate, using an apartment as a base. Any recommendations on where we should start our Odyssey. <BR> <BR>Had been thinking about Positano/Amalfi area but are open to suggestions as to the sunniest (important), warmest(relative) and bestest(good wine, food and activities) place to spend April, 2002.

Book Chick

John, <BR>First of all, I have to tell you that I really liked the way you phrased this post! <BR> <BR>Amalfi coast may be the way to go, although areas of Greece will offer the same temperate climes you seek, as will certain locations on the Italian Ligurian coast. (San Remo has a web site that discusses why its prime location gives them such wonderful weather year-round.) <BR>Best Wishes on Your Adventure! <BR>BC

Sheila

Being ahuge fan of Italian cuisine I would have to agree with your conclusion, tho personally I'd probably pick Puglia or Sicily. <BR> <BR>But Andalucia or Crete or Cyprus would also both work for me

mimi

Maldives is a short way from Europe

Nancy

I say Taormina on Sicily. It is wonderful! and I suppose the ash has drifted away by now.

airone verde

Sunniest: maybe Greece. But if you want sunny and also exceptionally good food: Sicily.

Santa Chiara

I wouldn't depend on the Amalfi Coast being sunny in April. Go further south as others have suggested. (And what a great way to spend your mid-life crisis.)

Nikki

I would suggest looking into Southern Spain. You can request a free travel package at: www.okspain.org The southern region of Spain has everything that you are looking for. It is quite lovely.

xx

Mainland of Greece. <BR>Sicily does not have any exceptional food. It is OK but nothing special

BOB THE NAVIGATOR

Hello John, This all sounds strangely familar. We did something very similar 3 years ago celebrating our 40th. The theme of our trip was" following the spring flowers across south Europe" <BR> <BR>We only did 2 months, and had a car the entire time---a leased car on the Renault plan which is half the cost. We started in the south of Spain in late March--rented a condo--and then progressed via Costa Brava, Provence, Cote d' Azur, the Italy Lakes, the Dolomites, Austria for 10 days, Prague, <BR>the Romantic road of Germany an finally flew home from Munich. It was all magical. We ate white asparagus in 5 countries--the call it " spargel". <BR> <BR>This was our 15th trip to Europe but the first time we did more than 18 days. We have been back 5 times since, but we will never duplicate the " BIG TRIP" OF 1999. Contact me directly if you want more details.

John

Bob, I'll get in touch with you as we firm up plans. I'm interested to learn more about the "leased" Renault. Great suggestions are coming from everyone as to our starting point - may have to consider Spain but we loved the Amalfi coast when we were there last year.

Mike

Alicante is the driest area, I believe (though East Anglia in the UK runs it close). If you choose Spain, I would start at Cordoba and work away from there. You've got to start somewhere impressive.

Natalia

Costa del Sol is the best place. Good wine, food, golf, sunny, a lot of fun (for all the tastes).

rob

John, <BR> <BR>Might I suggest a little known corner of the Mediterranean for most North Americans: Malta. <BR> <BR>The country (3 tiny islands really) is a little speck on the map between Sicily and North Africa. It is very cheap by European standards, the weather is beautiful, the people are very friendly, the country is bathed in history (in fact, the oldest known human structures -- they predate Stonehenge by 1000 years -- are in Malta), and the two standard languages are Maltese and English (both of which are spoken by just about everyone). <BR> <BR>The only drawback I found is that the food is not as good as it is in say Italy or France. <BR> <BR>Just a thought. <BR> <BR>Rob

Erica

I recommend Southern Spain and her connecting islands. Just beautiful! Have a wonderful adventure.

mm

Turkey, Pelopponese, Sicily, Andalucia, Crete &/or other Greek islands, are all good choices. BTW Sicily definitely has the lead over Greece in terms of food.

Book Chick

John, <BR>Just remembered some "trivia" about Menton, France----300 days of sunshine every year. <BR>Have a Great Trip, <BR>BC

Susan

Costa del Sol in Spain sounds real good to me. I'll be taking my grown kids there this September. Maybe I should send them back and stay an extra week with my husband.