Elba or Ponza in October?
 

Recently, I've become interested in Elba and Ponza, Italy. I'm planning a solo trip for Fall 2011. I'm a woman, writer, outdoor adventurer from Colorado who prefers simple, rustic vacations. For example, many of my vacations in the U.S. involve camping or backpacking. I like to travel with a loose agenda, meet locals, linger in beautiful, quiet, natural places.

I'm looking for advice on these regions. What should I consider as I choose one or the other? Are October/November good months to travel to these areas?

Originally, I was planning to visit the Cinque Terre, but now I think I might like Elba or Ponza better.

Thanks for your help!

Elba is a wonderful little place. The ferry trip is only an hour from the mainland but the weather in late October does start turning rapidly for the worse. Late September, early October can be really good times in terms of quite resorts (but not dead) and less hot weather. The island is large enough to keep your interest for 3 or 4 days and there are plenty of camp sites.

We stayed near Portoferraio. The scenery is just as good as Amalfi.

http://www.ampola.it/Portoferraio.htm

Ponza is much smaller.

I often travel Italy along the Med in October. Looking back through my photos for the last 10 years, I can say early October should be fine weather-wise, although no way to be certain year to year. Sunny and warm in daytime, but not hot enough to swim in the sea, cooler in evening, interspersed with a few cloudy days and a little rain is what I would expect. The further into October you go, the more unsettled the weather will become.

Another limiting factor is the shorter days. In early October it's dark around 7pm and you will lose about another half-hour of daylight by October 15. By the end of October sunset will be about 5pm because the clocks go back to standard time from summer time.

No reason to let shorter, cooler days put you off, you just need to know what to expect in order to be prepared for whatever you find. I was in the Aeolians the second week of October a few years ago. The first 4 days were absolutely glorious, in fact too hot for my taste, and I did indeed swim in the sea a few times. Clouds began to filter in on the fourth day and temperatures cooled and there was a day or two of rain, then back to sunny but not quite so warm. Ditto Procida another year. And Giglio another.

Of course the Aeolians are quite a bit further south than Elba, about 250-275 miles I'd guess, with Ponza (and Giglio and Procida) roughly half-way between. The distance between can be expected affect the weather and also hours of daylight.

I forgot to add this link if you'd like to look at photos of some of the islands. Almost all were taken in the first or second week of October over a number of years, so you can see what the weather looks like at that time of year.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...3&l=b7a81de98b

Thank you for the helpful advice and links! Now... to make a decision.

To get to Elba, do you fly into Rome?

Julia, you are a very talented photographer!

Fly into Rome and drive to Piombino for the ferry. However, Pisa airport is closer and far more accessible.

Thanks for the compliment, Carrie.

I too recommend flying into Pisa. It's only a little over two hours from Pisa Centrale to the port at Piombino Marittima. Pisa is a sweet little airport with quick and easy transport into town.

Forgot to add... 'only a little over two hours from Pisa Centrale to the port at Piombino Marittima <i>by rail</i>.' No need to rent a car. Trains are frequent and inexpensive.