My husband's company just announced the location for their annual kickoff meeting - Rome, Italy. I plan on flying over mid-week to meet up with my husband and for us to spend the following week together touring Italy.

We plan to spend a couple days after the meeting visiting sites in Rome but are not sure where to spend the next week of our trip. We were looking at Florence, Cirque Terre, and Tuscany but a travel agent said nothing will be open in any of those places but Florence. I've been to Florence previously and loved it, but was hoping to visit some places I have not been before.

So we are considering Sicily as we have heard great things about that area. It might be warmer that time of year as well. Our thoughts were to fly from Rome to Sicily, rent a car, and stay in Airbnbs.

Looking for suggestions on what to see, where to go, etc. Is renting a car a good idea or most places walkable or accessible via public transportation?

Renting a car is usually a good idea in Sicily - but it really depends on your itinerary. You may want to pick up at the airport for the best choice of cars

Having a car in Rome is obviously a nonsense.

But there are many other cities in mainland Italy you can visit - although visiting a beach resort of the deep countryside is not the best idea.

Is Sicily a good place to go during the off season in January? Are there are places besides Rome that would be a better place to visit at that time of year? That is our main concern, going somewhere that is mostly shutdown because it is the off season.

I appreciate any advice...we are struggling with how to plan this trip!

I toured Sicily by train one November and everything was open - real people do live there - tourism does not drive the Sicilian economy like Cinque Terre places - the weather will be tolerable and everything will be open- a great option IMO.

I'd say that Sicily [or part of it, a week's not long enough to see it all] would be a good choice so long as you don't mind its being on the cool side. you could strike lucky and get a brilliant week, or it could be awful, but that can apply most of the year.

Have you ever been to Venice? That's another place where there is plenty to see even if the weather is awful but would be wonderful if the sun shone.

We have both been to Venice before so we were looking to visit a new place. We seem to be leaning towards Sicily since it is a part of Italy neither of us have visited.

Thanks all for the advice! Much appreciated!

I spent a week in Palermo in January of this year, about Jan 6-13 as I recall. The weather was very nice for sightseeing. Ditto for Rome the year before. Basically jacket/sweater weather, and you could open up the jacket if the sun was out in the afternoon. We only had one evening of rain in Sicily, and while not a downpour, we were glad for our umbrella. I think we got a bit more rain in Rome -- but obviously nothing all that memorable.

However, that is no guarantee you will get the same weather, and it can be very stormy in winter anywhere in Sicily or in Rome.

Which days in January are you talking about? Orvieto, not far from Rome and reachable by train, has a huge music festival in January, so not everything is closed down. What do you like to do?

Naples is one of my favorite winter destinations in Italy, but it's not for everybody. But it's got great food, great art, Italy's best people watching, loads to do that isn't art, Pompei is 30 minutes and if the day is sunny, you can find a way to see the famous scenic Amalfi drive. Nice weather.

I think it is really overstating the case to say that "everything will be shut down." Most of Italy will up and running, although if you go to exclusively scenic areas, the risk of having the scenery disappaer and you stuck indoors is high. If you want to go to Pisa or Lucca, it is easy to daytrip to le Cinque Terre if you know the day will be sunny there. (Real Italians do live in le Cinque Terre year-round).

I've also been in Venice and Florence in the first part of January. Venices has very few native Italians livng there, but enough to keep the place running, since it is totally driven by tourism year-round. It's a city, so there will be plenty to do and see -- but it also could be very stormy, wet, even with tidal flooding. Florence doesn't get tidal flooding, but it is cold in January, and it could snow (in Venice too). But you just need to dress warmly, with good boots.

Most of Italy is wonderfully enjoyable wherever you decide to go. Just dress very warmly in the north. But like I said, if you pick an area only known for scenery, you are taking a risk.

I did a day trip to the Cinque Terre one January and the weather was brilliant (though as others say no guarantee bout that) and lots of things were open - many hotels were closed because of lack of customers and many seemed to use the time to renovate and do upkeep work - the towns were alive with workers fixing things up - stores were open - yup it was not all shut down as is Tuscany - that travel agent knows nothing to say that.

but Sicily is about normal at that time sans a whole lot of tourists which to me is a plus. don't miss Agrigento IMO - the highlight of Sicily for moi - the many Greek temples in a lovely setting overlooking the sea:

https://www.google.com/search?q=agri...HTODBG4QsAQIGw

We just spent three weeks in Sicily and like it a lot. With only a week I might limit myself to primarily the larger, more touristed towns. You could easily spend 4 nights in Palermo and 3 nights in Ortygia. Day trips are possible from both places, and if the weather is crummy you'll be in a city where there are lots of things to do.

Which part of January are you talking? We spent the time over New Year's in Venice one year and weather was definitely tolerable for lots of walking with the appropriate clothing. On the train ride down to Rome we saw that much of the countryside in between was snowy. We then had a week in Rome. We were there the second week in January and were told that it is the least busy week of the year. For example, we walked right into the Vatican museum.

I just finished a really long trip report on Sicily. Click on my name, and you'll find it. I also linked to the places we stayed. We had nice and reasonably priced apartments in both Ortygia and Palermo.

The problem with winter travel (to Italy and most of the rest of Europe) is that the weather is unpredictable so if you go someplace that mostly depends on at least dry (if not warm) weather and you get a lot of rain, then there is nothing to do. For that reason a city is your best bet. While Sicily obviously has some cities (Palermo is pretty big), most people's reason for visiting Sicily is the countryside/coast. While you might have a better chance of nicer weather, you still have the distinct possibility of rain, and then what do you do. Whereas if you go to a city, and it rains, you have museums, and churches and shopping, etc.

You mentioned Tuscany. You could base in Siena (which is IN Tuscany) which is medium sized but has several excellent things to do inside (museums, churches, etc.). Then if you got a day or two forecast for sunny weather you could do day trips to some of the more rural hilltowns.

<Naples is one of my favorite winter destinations in Italy, but it's not for everybody>

And neither is Palermo but no one is saying 'don't go there'. Really. What about Naples makes it 'not for everybody' except the furphy that it is 'hectic and busy'. Which it is - around Napoli Centrale, Piazza Garibaldi, Corso Novara and the streets that cluster around the central station. Sadly, people see that station area and make sweeping judgments, say they have 'seen Naples' and it is 'not for everybody'.

If people go further into the city all that disappears as the Historic Centre is mostly pedestrian, the Lungomare is completely pedestrian and has been since 2012, Via Toledo is pedestrian from Piazza Plebescito to Piazza Carita - so therefore no 'busy, hectic traffic'in these areas and - surprise surprise - these are the areas of most interest to tourists having short visits.

If tourists stay for more than two days, then a funicular trip to Vomero will reveal a leafy vantage point with amazing bay views that is not unlike London's Chelsea neighbourhood with its grand homes and upscale feel.

If people continue to perpetuate the myth that Naples is not for everyone then people will continue to avoid it. This is a double edged sword as it keeps Naples authentic and free from mass tourism - you see no tour groups following raised umbrellas here - but then again it could do with the injection of tourist euro.

OP - enjoy your decision making and hope you have a great time no matter where you end up.

Oh and Sandralist - my comment is not directed at you personally - I simply used your quote.

Not taking it personally, but pointing out that Naples is "not for everybody" is based on the trip reports and commons of so many people who go to Naples -- I would say roughly half -- who say they HATED being in Naples and it was the WORST part of the their trip and they COULDN"T WAIT TO LEAVE. And they went all over the city. Many people returning from Palermo say it was their least favorite part of their trip to Sicily. But there are not many, as there are for Naples, who come back to say they HATED being there.


Now this is personal to you, Blueeyedcod. As you know, many people posting on Fodor's love Naples just as much as you do, including me, and recommend it to people as a travel destination, as I did above. But they are honest enough to acknowledge that the many other intelligent people who go, saw it with their own eyes, and truly hated it. (These includes many Italians, by the way!) We encourage future travelers to Italy to read up more and make their own choice.

By contast, you've decided to pounce on any realistic statements about Naples in order to be a booster of tourism to Naples, cheerleader in chief, and to deride as "myth" many people's honest reactions to Naples, reactions so frequently negative and shared by the others, you really ought to recognzie they are too big to ignore and most often based on actual bad experiences of Naples. The city has more problems than just being "hectic."

There are many people who view Fodor's as a place to advertise their favorite pet travel destination, and put pressure on other travelers to go to their pet towns, follow their fixed itinerary, and will find ways to portray people with different reaction as inferior travelers who don't travel correctly.

There are other posters who view Fodor's as a place to match up individual travelers with the trip that they, the travelers, would most personally enjoy. There is nothing invalid or wrong about disliking Naples. It's not everybody.

Nobody owes it to Naples to use their hard earned cash, free time and European trip to support the local economy just because sometimes the city is unjustly maligned. Not every negative statement about Naples is true or free of bigotry. But it is also the case that Neapolitans themselves and the Italian government/people in general carry the biggest responsibility for not fixing the problems of Naples that so blight the city in the eyes of many (including myself in many aspects.) Worst of all, the people of Naples would like some help in fixing these problems, not being told they don't exist or shouldn't be mentioned.

But if you want to go on being a booster of your own little pet spots at the exclusion of reality, nobody can stop you, but I don't think it's very productive for anybody, most of all people trying to decide where to visit in Italy, looking for some facts.

Our dates for our trip are Jan 20-30. Flying into Rome on the 20th and leaving from Rome on the 30th. We were thinking of staying in Rome until 24th and then headed to the next place (wherever that may be at this time).

I loved Naples each of the three times I've stayed there but yes it is not for everyone and no city really is - but in Naples yes you have to overlook the many warts - like garbage piling up everywhere when I was there or the large hole in cobblestones I tripped in while eating a gelato and ended up in the ER (and locals were so so nice tome - incredibly nice in helping me) but to me if you can overlook these things then you have a wondrous old-world type city the likes of few in Europe

narrow lanes with laundry strung between them
kids playing in the lanes
little shops and restaurants - few fancy

Naples looks like many Italian cities did when I first went to Italy in the early 70s - but most have gentrified but Naples, at least in the centrum has not (but does have really nice areas too as others have pointed out.

Many would be uncomfy staying there probably based on what they have heard - ditto for Palermo.

Naples is one of my very favorite Italian cities but yes it is not for everyone especially those who want Swiss-type order and cleanliness.

triathletecece,

If your travel dates are that late in January, your travel agent's assertion that "nothing will be open except in Florence" really makes very little sense. I thought maybe you were traveling right at the New Year holiday period -- and even then, most things would be open come Jan 2, except for some restaurants. January is when all the sales are -- so all the stores will be open -- and of course museums, monument and sights are open.

So your real choice is between whether you are willing to bundle up for frigid weather, with the greater possibility of even some snow in the north, since late January into February is the core of winter. Even in Rome and all areas of south of Rome, you'll feel chillier temps except when you are standing in the sun. In places like rural Tuscany, where it makes sense to have a car, you need to plan on sticking to lower elevations and watch the weather, and be prepared to change your plans if the weather forecast is for snow. However, wineries should be open and welcoming guests.

In many of the cities of Italy, including in the north, lots of places with outdoor seating have outdoor heaters (in the medieval warrens of Bologna and Ferrara, these flaming outdoor brazier heaters are rather dramatic). But generally speaking, late January-February weather does not favor hours of non-stop hours of outdoor sightseeing in the center of Italy and the north. You need indoor activities like museums, castles, palaces and churches (and even in the churches, bundle up!) or you need a destination where some of your sightseeing will be scenic driving in a cosy heated car. But like I said, if you pick a trip in someplace Tuscany, you need to be very flexible and sensible in your plans. Fortunately, it is easy to cancel and re-book different hotels at that time of year.

ALL the "art" cities of Italy are good winter destinations if you dress appropriately. Verona, Venice, Mantova, Bologna, Florence, Pisa, Palermo, Naples -- lots more. And all those cities offer short train trips to lovely historic smaller towns: Vicenza, Ravenna, Treviso, Modena, Pompei, Monreale, Ferrara -- lots more.

If you are tempted to a Tuscan/Umbrian scenic adventure, it's best to skip staying on a farm and instead pick a nice small city that will keep you amused if you can't go out in the car for the day. Siena or Arezzo, or Spoleto or Perugia, are fascinating places with museums and local life, with lovely small towns and scenery + wineries a short drive away if the weather is dry.

PS: Since you are interested in Sicily: As winter progresses, it does get rainier, so if you are thinking of renting a car instead of just stayin in Palermo and doing day trips by train, you again need to be flexible and sensible about bad weather driving. It is also the case that you probably need to skip the kind of road trip in Sicily that would take you way off the beaten track into very small Sicilian towns. You might find no restaurants open. But the major monmuments and tourists sights and all the large archeological and art museums will be open, and the cities will be humming along, all markets and shops in full swing.

<But if you want to go on being a booster of your own little pet spots at the exclusion of reality, nobody can stop you, but I don't think it's very productive for anybody, most of all people trying to decide where to visit in Italy, looking for some facts.>

Oh jeez - you just don't get it.

Whose reality are we talking about? Yours? The doyenne of all things Italian? Sorry but that's a laugh. Seeing as you decided to get personal, then so will I.

<The city has more problems than just being "hectic.">

Then please do share your plethora of information on the south and let me know exactly what they are saying as you know everything. Your examples with the CAPITAL LETTERS for EMPHASIS are just immature. Your are citing opinions. I HATE MILAN - does that mean NO ONE SHOULD EVER GO THERE without bothering to find out facts from residents? Or does that mean I am citing my own prejudice and lack of foresight to consult a guide book or two as those who state they hate Naples have probably done.

Last time I checked this was an forum for opinions - didn't realise you were the gatekeeper of opinions - silly me - should have asked for permission to have an opinion. Yes, Naples is my pet destination. So what? I live there often enough and find the untruths and fly-by-night throwaway observations completely disingenuous. No one is forcing anyone to go there, stay there, be there - I don't give a hoot. But lies and myths abound about my 'pet' city and I am going to state what I know is the truth. Couldn't care less if you disregard and belittle what I say. Go right ahead (as you have done already).


<but in Naples yes you have to overlook the many warts - like garbage piling up everywhere when I was there or the large hole in cobblestones >

PalenQ - when were you last there? Garbage hasn't 'piled up in the streets' since 2008 and I have tripped on enough cobblestones in Rome to know it ain't a Naples thing but hey, believe what you like.