Mind if I tag along on this one? Today we unexpectedly found ourselves with nine whole empty days on our calendar. We live in Northern Europe where it has been a very disappointing summer. I look out the window: rain and 55 degrees.
"Let's escape to Italy" my husband said. Where in Italy can we still have reasonably dependable sunny, mild (low seventies) weather we ask. Stupid question because of course no one can predict the weather, especially not in October. We are wondering if Eastern Sicily would be a good bet though. Any thoughts from you travel experts is greatly appreciated. Grazie mille.

Of course every year is different as far as weather. Two years ago we were in Sicily for three weeks in October (returning home just as daylight savings time ended). We started in the east in Ortygia and eventually made our way over to Palermo before flying home.

The early part of our trip we had glorious weather, but by the time we were in Palermo (maybe the 20th or so) the weather had shifted to cool and rainy. People were swimming in Ortygia.

Before out trip I had been warned to not contemplate visiting the island off Sicily's north coast because Oct. can bring story weather than will stop the ferries from being able to travel.

Yes. Sicily. specifically eastern Sicily. Go now.

seriously one reason that I am so emphatic about this is that my DH is now seriously ill in hospital but one bright spot of today was when we discovered that one of his nurses was born in Palermo and has never yet been to Ortigia or Ragusa, places in eastern Sicily that we just loved when we went last year. It was lovely to be able to share our memories of his island with him, albeit a part he's not yet visited and cheered DH up quite a lot.

And Agrigento - which both has an old town and a modern beach resort area - was my favorite place in Sicily- Greek temples in surreal setting overlooking the sea.

Ortiga - along with Catania nicest city I saw in Sicily.

Taormina is panned by many for the tourist mobs in season but also has a world-famous awesome setting overlooking sea and Mt Etna - also a classy beach resort under it.

We've had great weather in Sicily in October. Having spent the last 5 of our vacations in different parts of southern Italy and Sicily, and this year being in France, we notice a big difference in the temperature. Have a look at Sicily on a map and see how close it is to Africa.

Have a look at the 2 week forecast for an idea of what to expect.

@ Elisabeth54: You can get forecasts and historic climate data at timeanddate.com. I’ve set it for Siracusa 14-day forecasts, but you can change it to whatever you want.
https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/@6542286/ext

@ annhig: My best to you and your husband.

thanks kja. One thing we did to cheer ourselves up was to look at our photos of our holiday in Sicily last year.

If only we could have stopped time while we were there but we will always have our memories of such a special time.

annhig, I know that your husband is ill and I'm sorry. I hope for the very best for both of you.

Despite issues, I'm going through with my plans for Sicily. I won't be able to have as much time there as I might like, but I'm going while I still can.

You both, and annhig's DH, are inspirations for sure - good luck to you all.

So sorry to hear of your husband's illness, Annhig! Over the past years since I have become a Fodorite I have read so many of your trip reports and travel advice. You always sound so cheerful and inspiring. I do hope that this too shall pass soon. I wish your husband a speedy recovery and the very best to you both.

Thank you KJA and PalenQ for your suggestions.

thank you all, that's very kind. Tuscan, I'm so sorry that you too have problems that may curtail your travelling, in which case Sicily is definitely a place to put at the top of your list.