Bob, I can see I need your help please.
On my previous post (re italian lakes in Nov) you recommended th Ligurian coast.
Can you advise where you mean precisely please - for a leisurely 2-3 day stay?
If we do that, where would be the best place to dly from to get to Prague - Florence? All your help much appreciated.

Well since someone else is calling you ... I also have a question for you. I remember you were in Sicily when there were wildflowers blooming (I'm pretty sure that's what I remember from your photos, but now I can't find the link). Anyway, when I was there, in July it was pretty brown except along the coast. Some friends are planning a trip for next year and thinking of February. Do you know if there were wildflowers that early in the year? Also if you post a link to your photos I'll give them that, along with mine, then they should have plenty to look at. Thanks

Mel, I'm sure Bob will give some great advice, We stayed in Santa Margherita Liguria in Dec and it was great. Your chances are pretty good for warmer weather. You gan also get to the towns of the Cinqua Terra pretty easily. Its a great place to relax.

Well, good morning--did I hear my name being called?

Mel,I did mean the coast between Genoa and La Spezia in Liguria. The ideal location may be Santa Margherita as Jay suggested. I like the Hotel Laurin there for location. Your airport options are Genoa---if that works to Prague---but also Milan is only 2 hours. There are 2 airports in Milan.

Ann, here is my photo gallery for Sicily with the spring flowers. It was in May. Feb. will still be cool in Sicily---think of Savannah weather for Sicily.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3828

Thanks Bob. I couldn't remember when you went, just that it wasn't summer. I'm trying to talk them into waiting till March, but one of their reasons is to escape the northeast winter (which even in March is still very much winter - uggggg). Funny you should mention Savannah, I was just there last week (trying to escape winter)and even in March it was cooler than I thought it would be, but certainly nicer than here.

oh thank you thank you bob and jay -
this gives me a really good start for research.
And knowing you were there in Dec jay, and loved it, makes me feel better!
We can get there so easily from Monte carlo after cruise, train to Milan and fly to Prague!
Beauty mates!
(the only aussie who said crikey was Steve Irwin!)

Bob, Jay, this is what Fodors says about the Italian Riviera:

Season is everything on the Italian Riviera. Shops, cafés, clubs, and restaurants stay open late in resorts during high season (Easter and June through August), but during the rest of the year they close early, if they're open at all. From October to February, the seaside towns go into hibernation, leaving little more than boarded-up cafés and waves crashing against the barren coast.October and November often bring torrential rains, and with them floods and landslides.

Nov is when we were going to go! Jay, what did you mean when you said Dec was great?!! Now I'm confused again

Nov. is the highest rainfall month in most of Italy---just a fact. My comment is that the moderating effect of that coast is better than the Alpine lakes. I would expect temps in the 50s and some rain.

OK thanks
I'm thinking budapest sounds good!
lol

Mel when we were there it was sunny and high to mid 50's. I'm from Seattle so to me it was like May or Oct. maybe fleece and jeans weather? The shops were open but there were no crowds like in summer. I hope this helps.