I’ve posted before about my wife & I going to Italy for a month this coming Sept and received some real helpful info. We already have reservation to fly into Venice and return out of Rome with stops in Florence & Livorno (to visit parents of best friend). I would like to do some out-of-the-way driving around and my wife wants us to do some travel by train. Also, my father’s family is from Sicily and although I’ve heard that that should be ‘another’ trip, I don’t know if I’ll be going to Italy again – and I’m thinking about possibly going there for a couple of days. Does a ferry go over to Sicily? Above all, neither of us wants to be ‘rushed’ and quality is more important than quantity as regard to doing and seeing Italy. These are just my thoughts. Any helpful ideas would be appreciated. Thanks again. Tony

The first part of this message is partly to you, and mostly to other new visitors to this forum. As politely as I know how, I would like you to re-post your question with an informative title.<BR><BR>for example:<BR><BR>"I would like advice on an Italy itinerary, and specifically on Sicily, including how best to get there".<BR><BR>The title "Any helpful ideas?" could refer to any question under the sun. Just imagine if every post contained headers like yours.<BR><BR>Does anyone know?<BR><BR>Could you tell me?<BR><BR>Where would I find out?<BR><BR>As to the second part of my answer, there are inexpensive flights to Sicily, and ferry services as well. There USED to be two extensive pages of links about Europe ferries on the "Europe for visitors" area of www.about.com - - I have referred to them in the past, but they seem to have taken them down, and now refer you to http://www.youra.com/ferry/intlferries.html - - where in turn you will find four links.<BR><BR>http://www.traghetti.com - in Italian only, but has tons of listings, with at least four to Sicily.<BR><BR>As for flights, I recommend that you start with www.europebyair.com - - you may also find that www.opodo.com has a good search engine for low cost flights in Europe.<BR><BR>So, a lot depends on where you want to depart to reach Sicily.<BR><BR>I hope that this gives you a start on the answers you are seeking, and that you get more answers with a re-posted better-header question.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

We've gone to Italy for only two weeks and managed to squeeze in several days in Sicily. We rented a car in Rome and drove to see my husband's relatives in Abruzzo then drove down to the Amalfi coast and from there to Sicily. We flew on a $99 flight pass (europebyair.com) from Palermo back to Venice. My husband loved Sicily, much to my surprise, since my family is from Sicily-his from Abruzzo (we have the ever-lasting debate which is better). We're returning to Sicily this September only this time spending time in Florence and taking an overnight train to Sicily. I think you should not miss it.

Hi,<BR><BR>It is definitely doable, especially by flying. Go for it.

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Some excellent recent advice. Make sure you search Sicily. There's a lot more here.<BR><BR>Author: Kay ([email protected])<BR>Date: 07/15/2002, 12:38 am<BR><BR>Message: Don't miss Villa Casale. It is between Agrigento and Taormina. It is in Piazza Armerina. You will find the best preserved Roman mosaics in the world here... fabulous. I also went to Castelmola for a short visit and the views are great. Mt. Etna is also interesting. Don't forget to walk the main street in Taormina day or evening. There is not much left of the ruins in Naxos, but it was a nice way to spend the morning, and then we walked along the beach. We also took the cable car down to Mazzaro and checked out Isola Bella and that lovely beach area. I was there in May and absolutely loved it and can't wait to go back! Have a great trip! Kay <BR>

ttt

There are lots of out-of-the-way driving options in Tuscany. You may rent a car in Firenze and drive from Firenze to Livorno and than down from Livorno to Rome. Only, do not use autostrada. Driving on side rods can be much slower, but also much more fascinating. And do not hurry, consider spending one night somewhere in the maremm area, either in Tuscany or in Lazio. As you will be arriving in Venice, go to the local Touring Club Italiano and have tem advice you on the proper map to buy for the area:<BR><BR>Piazzale Candiani n° 7<BR>30170 VENEZIA MESTRE<BR>Tel. 041/5060228 - Fax 041/5060232 <BR>e-mail: [email protected]<BR>As for Sicily, you may consider flying into Palermo or Catania from Rome. Alitalia (www.alitalia.it), AirOne (www.air-one.it) and Air Sicilia (www.sntweb.it) all have flights to at least one of these destinations, but I agree that Sicily acutally deserves at least one whole week.