I'm trying to find anyone who has spent time in both Sicily and Puglia to get a better idea of which area my fiance and I should spend most of our honeymoon. I posted earlier about Italy and I appreciate all the super great replies! (some of you I wanted to write to but can't figure out how to message a particular poster). Some people said they needed to know more info so here goes:
Deciding between Puglia and Sicily for the bulk of our 3-week June honeymoon. We also want to spend a few days in Rome and a week in Florence area so that leaves us with about 10 days to spend relaxing in the South... We want great food and great wine first and foremost. Also, we are on a bit of a budget, plus I enjoy more local eateries anyway. We just want to relax, maybe sit on a couple terraces eating and drinking wine with lovely sea breezes, practice our Italiano and enjoy each other and the local culture. We plan to visit sites&museums in Florence and Rome so I while would like to do some sight-seeing while in the south (a temple or two), mostly we just want to chill. Sicily seems great but with only 10 days I worry we will be rushed, and it seems a bit more crowded/touristy than the Puglia region. Seems the wine is great in both. Although the cannoli/sweets in Sicily are alluring!

Any advice from folks who have similar interests and ave been to both?

We fly into Paris June 15 (so will catch a flight to Sicily, Rome or Bari, wherever we decide to start) and out of Milan July 10 (so will work our way north)
Thanks for any advice!!

You are right -- Sicily deserves a minimum of 2 weeks, and even with that, one would have to move quickly and be selective.

A 10-day visit to Puglia could be much more relaxing.

Food and wine will be great in either location.

Puglia is really great. There is a lot to see there, traveling is easy. Food is great. I based in Ostuni and drove all over Puglia, even sat on the farthest point of the heel. I really liked it, and can't wait to take my family there on the next trip. Lecce is a great town with lots to see. Make sure you go to the Castel del Monte, it is really impressive.

Also, fyi, Ostuni would be a great place for a honeymoon. There are really romantic restaurants in that town. One of the most beautiful towns in Italy.

you can email me if you want specifics on places to stay etc.

I am currently planning our first trip to Puglia and we will be traveling in May. I have been to Sicily and agree with the comment about it deserving a minimum of 2 wks to appreciate at least two different regions on the island. I would fly into Bari and spend the tens days in Puglia. The research. I've done on this site sounds as if it's going to be an amazing place for slow food and slow travel with lots of picturesque vistas and no shortage of relaxing charming places to stay. The prices in that region seemed to not have inflated yet and it seems that you get more bang for your buck there.

I would rent a car in Bari and explore Puglia, then return the car train or fly to Rome then train from Rome to Florence. We once spent six weeks traveling from North to south flew into Venice and then out from Rome. If you can squeeze a brief stint to Venice in between Florence and Milan I Highly recommend if you have not been. We have spent a lot of time there and can give you lots of off the beaten path itinerary tips to have an untourist experience in Venice. I have some older posts on Fodors from when I was planning past itineraries for that trip as well as my Sicily and Northern Italy trips check them out, there is some good info there.

Enjoy the planning nothing better the 3 wks to explore Bella Italia !!!!!!

The thing to enjoy in Lecce is the people. We got married in Lecce last year without a lot of Italiano and the locals made it a wonderful week for us.

If you want something to do in the Lecce area with locals have a chat with Ylenia on facebook at yltour. She is an expert at mixing food, wine, yoga, language and people into a great time

Thanks for the great replies! cmndesign, i would email you for more specifics but don't know how to send you a PM.

Well the good news is that you are in a win-win situation. Both regions are fantastic -- great food, great wine, and perfect for relaxing. A difficult choice.

We spent a week in Puglia in 2012 and a week in Sicily in 2013. This year we are returning to both! Click on my name to see my trip reports on each -- they have lots of details of where we stayed, where we ate, and what we did.

So while it's difficult to choose, I can differentiate between the two in a few minor ways...
Puglia is less crowded and has less American tourists.
Puglia is cheaper.
Sicily (in certain locations) is more strikingly beautiful --we found Siracusa, Panarea, and Taormina to be gorgeous.

Happy to answer more questions about our trips if you have any...

For Dina4...thank you for the trip report. We are headed to Puglia late May and I have made quite a few notes from your report.

lauren, [email protected]

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