One week in Sicily, but have two more weeks before I have to be in Croatia. Traveling alone, so need it to be safe and cheap - want to see coastal areas but don't know how to get around or where to stay. Also, only speak English.

Have you thought about Slovenia...a really scenic little country, not too expensive and all the younger people anyway willing to have a go at speaking English.

Any other input?

When my brother was young he took the ferry from the south of Italy to Greece. Why not do the same and trek up through Greece? I get a bit confused about Balkan geography so I guess you have to check that you can get from Greece to Croatia without crossing a war zone (joking!!)

When I said trek, I hadn't really taken in the bit about coastal. I think you should be able to do this in an island hopping kind of way. <BR> <BR>This answer, however should be traeted as asuggestion not a developed philosophy

Very little to go on, Marcie. What are your daily lodging/food and intercity transportation budgets for these 2 weeks? What are your feelings on youth hostels? What will you be doing in Sicily? Looking for your heritage? You're starting your trip in Paris, right? Does the time frame in Sicily allow for some in between from Paris? In which season are you travelling? Do coastal areas mean beaches and stuff or else? <BR> <BR>Greek island hopping may indeed be your bid. It's safe and pretty cheap. <BR> <BR>Paulo

She's travelling in July, Paulo. A 4/5-day stay in Rome + a week hopping islands in Greece appears to be a good bet.

Paulo, you sure have been helpful. Thanks alot. As you can see, I'm all over the place. I am traveling next week to Paris, (although there is a chance they can get me on a flight to Milan instead - which is closer to Sicily). Sicily for a week or so, that part is taken care of. I'm doing some research there but if I finish within a week, I can take advantage of traveling a bit. The Amalfi Coast is really standing out to me now, but rates are high and everything is booked. Any suggestions there? If my flight does get changed, I will fly back out of Milan to go home around the end of July.

Marcie <BR> <BR>If I were on my own and trying to avoid the high prices of the Alafi Coast I would aim for the area in the deep south of Italy called Pulgia. I've not been, but I've seriously thought about it a nd read afair bit. It's not hugely developed, and there are nice little coastal towns and villages; and unique houses called "trulli". <BR> <BR>I do speak a bit of Italian. It's off the vey beaten track so you might have trouble getting lots of English speakers. I think that would be the only downside. <BR> <BR>Paulo, what do you think?

I'm afraid I'll have to pass, Marcie. I've a cousin in Naples and when in the area I stay at her place. She also has a large boat and invariably takes me out to visit sites from the sea <BR> <BR>I've never visited the Apulia/Puglia, Sheila, but from what I heard and read, I'd love to visit one day. <BR> <BR>Once you intend to reach Croatia, Marcie, this indeed seems to be the most natural option. You could slowly advance north along the coast and eventually take a ferry across the Adriatic. Also, I'd guess that one may get along quite cheap at least as far up north as Pescara. <BR> <BR>I know that there's a train line from Villa S. Giovanni (across Messina) to Bari. This starts along the Tirrenian sea coast, then bends inland through Cosenza to Sibari, then along the Taranto Gulf coast to Taranto and finally cutting through to Bari. <BR> <BR>From what I know from reading, one could make stops in Policoro (with a possible visit to Rocca Imperiale), Metaponto (with a possible inland visits to Pisticci, Matera and Altamura) and/or Taranto. <BR> <BR>From Taranto there certainly is a bus to Brindisi (otherwise, one may continue on the train to Bari and take another one to the south). Once in Brindisi, the rest concerning public transportation is a piece of cake. There's a train line along the Adriatic coast from Lecce to Rimini. <BR> <BR>Lecce, though not on the coast, is supposed to be one of the nicest cities in Apulia. <BR> <BR>On the Adriatic coast, Brindisi could be a stopover. Next, Monopoli could be used as a base for some days to explore the Truli zone, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Alberobello, Castellana caves and Polignano a Mare. Bari could provide the next stopover. I'm not completely sure, but it's quite possible that there's a private train line from Bari into the Basilicata. If not, there certainly is a bus service to visit fine sites such as Altamura, Gravina in Puglia and Matera (if one has decided not to stop or visit out from Metaponto). Barletta would be the next call with a possible excursion to Castel del Monte. I have no idea on how one may explore the attractive Promontorio del Gargano on public transportation. I'd guess that one's best bet would be out from very nice Foggia. Once one approaches Pescara, there's a sequence of sea resorts all the way north up to Rimini. Except for larger cities like Pescara and Ancona, I'd guess that these should be very crowded and quite expensive in July. From Ancona you may cross over to Split or Zadar. From there on I haven't got the faintest idea <BR> <BR>Paulo

Wow, thanks Paulo! You've been so helpful....