Hi, look up on Malta, it's a small island south of Italy, several lovely beaches, good food and easy to drive around. Covid numbers are at an all time low too with majority of population vaccinated, that should offer some peace of mind too.

Enjoy your holiday wherever you decide on!

Another vote for Corsica.

Best beaches in Europe, stunning inland mountains and developed cuisine.

Fits perfectly with your previous trips , all of which I have visited other than Slovenia.

Or the SE corner of Sicily including Noto , Ragusa Ibla, Modica and Agrigento which could include a day trip to Malta by fast ferry.

I 2nd the idea of Sicily. Spent almost two weeks there some years ago and am planning to go back next year.

You all have been so helpful.

We have narrowed our choices somewhat

1. Sicily: we adored Sicily when we were there a few summers ago (for almost 3 weeks) and spent time in Ortigia, Scicli, just outside Noto, the island of Favignana and Palermo. We took day trips to Modica, Cefalu and San Vito Lo Capo. If we were to go back, where should we go? Any places along the Southern coast?

2. Greece: We are also considering two islands in the Cyclades. Any recommendations on which two you would recommend?

3. Corsica: In 11 days, what part of the island should we concentrate on and where should we base ourselves?

4. Istria: where should we base ourselves?

Thanks again for all of your help.

Kim

Wow. This is where Fodor's definitely replaces travel agents and alleviates any need to research on your own.

kleebat, didn't your mom ever teach you that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all? Asking questions on Fodors is research, and if you choose not to give advice, why are you even reading or responding?

Amazing how it takes one poor soul to ruin the good times of everyone else.

Yes, there's a bit of sarcasm so I'll stay away from this thread in the future. Good luck planning and remember not everyone has had the chance to travel so much nor have such options for future trips.

My family and I are also planning a trip to Italy this year. And the same as you, I tried to find some places off the beaten path in Italy. So, in my Italy itinerary, I added Amalfi, Sicily, and Montalcino. But, it was pretty hard to choose from all of that incredible cities.

If you haven't visited the Villa Romana in Piazza Armerina, it's worth seeing.

Just to throw a wrench in the works, have you thought about the southwest of France? On the Atlantic side from La Rochelle to Bordeaux or even down to the Spanish border is beautiful in September and Bordeaux is a really nice "second" city to visit and it the vineyards are beautiful that time of year. Alternatively, exploring part of the Dordogne down to Toulouse, Carcassonne and the beaches near Beziers down to the Spanish border on the Med side could be feasible in your time frame and September is really lovely in those areas as well.

2. One of the islands to consider is Santorini, it is very special.

3. I can only tell you where we were based which was Calvi in the north because we wanted to dive the B17 plane wreck dive site. But even if it it was not for the diving, it was the perfect small town to be based with restaurants etc around a pretty harbour with a citadel within walking distance of our apartment. There are plenty of beautiful beaches within easy reach and you can drive to several picturesque villages eg PIgna, Sant'Antonino etc. We took excursions to visit the Balagne and over to Saint Florent and a boat trip around the Scandola which was just gorgeous. I think you could be based half the time in the north and the second half in the south or vv, maybe Bonifacio, Ajaccio (sort of in the middle) or Porto Vecchio but I have not been there so cannot recommend personally.The distances are not great but the interior is so mountainous that it can take alot of time to get from once place to another. We wanted to visit Cargèse because of it's connection to the Mani in Greece but the journey was too long from Calvi.