oh so cold!!!
 

Where does one go in southern italy to savour the culture , the food, the wine in what part of southern Italy in mid January??? <BR>Is it not worth a visit at that time....or is it a good time to go because it is not crowded? Who has done southern Italy at this time? Tell me of the places and the pleasures of this part of Italy.

Dear Macca, <BR> <BR>As far as savoring food, wine, and culture, anywhere you go in Italy will provide you with this. One of my favorite parts of Southern Italy is the Amalfi Coast, near Naples. As someone who has live in Italy, I can tell you that mid-January will be cold, but not cold like Michigan-no snow, etc. Probably 40s. You might want to consider mid-February or even into March. February is also very low season; you can get some good deals. Very few tourists as well. I was in Sorrento in March and it was absolutely beautiful weather-wise, and un-crowded. Check out go-today.com for inclusives to Italy at low prices!

Macca, <BR>I second Angie's suggestion; if you can wait until February you , do so. January can be wet. I went to Sicily a few years ago in late December and early January and it rained all the time. It's pretty similar to Southern California , IF it rains, January is the month. I would guess that the temperature was in the lower fifties. <BR>If you can't change your plans, bring an umbrella just in case. <BR> <BR>Angie, I would love to add your email to my list as I plan to go to Naples and the area in 2002. Hope that's agreeable to you, <BR> <BR>Michele

pros and cons here. went to amalfi, pompeii, etc. last january. couple days were beautiful; one was snowy, couple others rainy. we tried to go up to vesuvius and the roads were iced over so we had to turn around. it was very cold (30 F and sleeting) the day we were in Ravello and that was pretty miserable. Many shops and restaurants in Amalfi were closed for the whole month of January. On the other hand, everything was wonderfully uncrowded. We got a lovely hotel for less than half price, just by wandering in, in Amalfi. People in restaurants and shops and just on the street seemed especially friendly, probably because there were no other tourists! At one restaurant, there were no other guests, so the owner just made us what she was going to serve her family _ soup, some pan fried steaks, pasta, red wine _ and this simple meal was one of our favorites ...

As a seasoned traveller, I always look at my globe to get longitudinal location to determing weather, north and south of the equator. Italy is equal to San Francisco to Washington. Plan accordingly. It definitally is not HOT the winter!

Yes, Amalfi is the place to go in the South. But I also like Taormina and the Aeolian Islands in Sicily. Siracusa and Cefalu were also wonderful. Any of these places offer tons of culture, food and wine. I was there in late December a few years ago and it wasn't all that cold. But the weather is terribly unpredictable. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip! <BR>Angela