We have 5-6 days available middle August in Italy, prior to taking a cruise from Rome.
Thing of visiting SICILY or CALABRIA or PUGLIA.
Can anyone recommend one of these 3? ....and if so, which areas/towns etc? and other advice.
We especially like beautiful beaches, interesting sightseeing, food and pretty towns

Sicily is the more common tourist destination, and it has plenty of ruins, interesting churches and good food. Check to see if you can get a convenient overnight ferry from Palermo to Rome.

At which time must you check in at Civitavecchia?
The overnight ferry from Palermo arrives at 8am, that from Termini Imerese at 2pm.
Ferries from Olbia (Sardegna) arrive every few hrs.
The overnight trains from Sicily arrive at Civitavecchia at 8.39 and 11.13

A decent visit of Sicily would take more than 5 days. But you may just visit a few places.

The first morning train from Apulia arrives at Civitavecchia at 12.39

We loved the week e spent in Puglia!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gir...7635047994978/

We haven't been to the other two areas but I am sure you will enjoy any of the three.

Like neckervd, I think Sicily deserves more time, so you might want to consider waiting until you can give it at least 2 or 2.5 weeks (or more!)

I think 5 or 6 days in perfect for Puglia.

I haven't been to Calabria yet.

I found The Rough Guide a very good source of information for these areas.

we loved puglia... however... i think you would be going during the height of their tourist time. we often commented on our trip to puglia that we felt very lucky to be there off season... many businesses were closed... but it was still hard to find parking and very busy along the coastal road. the heavy tourist spots, like Alberobello, were swamped during this low season. i might wait until i could go during a less busy season, though i have not been to sicily or calabria in august.... but if you do go, we stayed at a fantastic trullo through airbnb... so can get the name for you.

Sorry, but I hadn't noticed that you said August. I can not imagine trying to visit Puglia in August -- TOO hot! Actually, anywhere in southern Italy would be too hot for me at that time of year.