Hello all,

I'm new to the site and excited about getting some good advice. Anyway, this is my second trip to Italy..1st time I visited Rome, Florence and Venice w/ a friend 6 yrs ago. We did a tour and I fell in love with the country. Second time around, I am going with my hubby. He's never been, but has family in Sicily which we intend to visit. We plan on flying into Rome on 11/10, going to Naples on 11/14 and spending the rest of our time in Sicily (7 days). Is Naples a good idea this time of year? Or should I skip and spend an extra day in Rome and Sicily? Any suggestions on what to do in Sicily? He has family right outside of Palermo in a small town called Termini Imerese, so we will stay there. Day trips that would be feasible and what is worth seeing? Thanks in advance for the help!

Hi dl,

Are you thinking of just an overnight in Naples?

Possible two full days...I think at this point it's a toss btwn going straight from Rome and flying to Sicily or spending the 2 days in Naples and taking the ferry into Sicily. Not sure if this is a good idea...thx

I think Naples is a great place any time, but it is one of the most controversial cities in Italy because there is a lot of visible poverty in Naples, a lot of garbage in some places and the traffic everywhere is the second worst traffic in Italy -- the first-worst being in Sicily!

All that said, Naples is packed to the gills with not only lively people and fantastic food, and a stunnign view of Vesuvius, but it is jammed with over-the-top flamboyant Italian art and deep with history running back to the time of the Greek settlements.

In November, you are very likely to be able to find in the old part of Napoli the extaordinary handcrafted Christmas figurines that the Neopolitans have been making for centuries and which museums acquire.

If your idea of pleasure in Italy is peace and quiet, you might want to head straight to the small town in Italy. But if you love Italian art and are willing to risk 2 days on an essential Italian city whose King at one time ruled all of the south of Italy from what was one of the wealthiest cities in the world, Naples is fascinating.

In Sicily, you should definitely plan to visit Monreale, just outside of Palermo, one of the most stunning sites in Europe. Since you'll be east of Palermo, it makes sense to go to Cefalu. But you might also explore the possibility of a day trip to Segesta, Selinute or or overnight in Agrigento if you are interested in Greek ruins.

In November, I would also ask around to find out where I could taste new olive oil!

Have a lovely time. The food in Sicily is fantastic.

November is a GREAT time to visit southern Italy! BTW, Termini Imerese is not really a small town anymore. They are famous for the quality of their pasta and I am sure you can look forward to some great eating! I took the Naples-Palermo ferry years ago...it's fine if a bit hectic. I don't think you can wrong with either option...as I said it is a wonderful time to travel in that area.

Does the ferry run in November?

Oh I'm so glad we picked Nov! I've purchased so many books on Sicily, my head is spinning. I want to see everything, but also looking for a relaxing vacation - the honeymoon I never had. If we decided to take the ferry from Naples, how long would it take to get to Termini and how would I go about getting there. Pls suggest any sites for trains and buses. In Rome, I'm not so worried b/c I can get by with my spanish. I know the Sicilian dialect is a whole other animal and my husband doesn't speak a word of italian. I want to be sure we can get Termini ok. Thanks again.

Termini Imerese isn't really a small town any more. There's a Fiat assembly plant there and probably other industry. It's very very close to Palermo by train, so if you want to take day trips from Palermo by train (or bus), that shouldn't be difficult.

I very strongly suggest that you both do whatever it takes to llearn as much Italian as possible before you go, especially if you're meeting relatives. It swill be so much more enjoyable if you can speak and understand at least some Italian. Don't worry about not knowing Sicilian. Though most or many people speak Sicilian among themselves, all Sicilians except the very old and unschooled are completely fluent in standard Italian and will speak Italian with foreigners and people visiting from other regions. English is not too widely known, except in the "hospitality industry" in major tourist places. Among middle aged and older people not in tourism/hospitality businesses, the most common foreign language to have studied is French.

I was in Sicily in November a few years ago (my 4th visit to Sicily). November is olive harvest time, and that can be interesting to see.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I book - thanks again!