Southern Italy Help!!
 

Hi all!

We are looking into a 2 week honeymoon in Southern Italy in either September or October 2011. We would love suggestions on some of the better places to visit and stay. This is both of our first time in Italy. Yes most people do the tourist stuff the first time, however we are looking to relax, swim, bits of sightseeing, see some great views, sunsets, etc.

Any suggestions for great hotels in the areas would be greatly appreciated. 3-5 star.

Thanks so much!
~Jerseygrl

Which region do you want to explore? Congratulations that you don't want to cram all the so-called "must-sees" into your first trip, few people seem to be wise enough to plan like you do. Southern Italy is still large, though, plenty of untouristy regions, but you cannot see them all since you are looking to relax. What are your interest as far as sightseeing?

jerseygirl,

If you click on your screen name you will see previous responses to your posts. You've got 3 threads going, all roughly on the same subject, although in one thread you seem to be caving to pressure to go to Venice -- which is not in southern Italy, not very romantic to me, and couldn't more of a typical tourist destination (and don't try snorkeling in the canals).

So maybe you need to stick to one thread.

Why 3 posts? Just click on your name to see the others.
I already gave you hotels.

Thanks! I am brand new at this site so still trying to figure it all out.

Zeppole,while I find most of your posts interesting and informative, it seems as if every post I read of yours (re Venice)downplays Venice. Most (and I say most and not all) people I talk to or who post on this site seem to love Venice, describing it as romantic, magical, enchanting, and much more. My wife and I loved it, and I feel it is arguably the most unique city in the world. IMO,to go to Italy, and never see Venice, would be most people's misfortune

Jerseygirl: I wonder whether the Aeolian islands (part of Sicily, off the north coast of Sicily) might appeal to you as a destination. I think they would fit what you're looking for perfectly. I'd suggest reading a little about them, looking at some photos online, and then posting about it here if you think that might be a good choice. The most convenient island to reach and to stay would be Lipari. You'd have an outstanding archeological museum to visit there and choices of hotels and good restaurants. If you would like to stay in an exceptionally scenic island, and spend time driving and stopping for beautiful views, hiking and enjoying beautiful views, swimming while seeing a beautiful views, then I'd suggest Salina, which is easily accessbile by boat from Lipari. Lipari can be reached by a fast boat from the town of Milazzo, which is on the north coast (of Sicily) train line). I think there are also other ways of arriving at Lipari from the mainland, but I've never done that. I've been to only three of the Aeolian islands, and, of those three, the one I would not recommend is Vulcano, which smells of sulphur.

billpat66,

That's right! I'm tired of hearing people push other people into seeing Venice, even when they've clearly identified southern Italy as where they want to go. . Travelers are all different. I pity you for not understanding that, especially if you are going to put yourself in the position of advising other travelers headed to Italy.

Personally, I find what most people do in life to be appalling, I don't find enjoyment of Venice appalling, but I think following any crowd just becuase it is a crowd is an immature way to approach life and travel.

Glad you and your wife loved it for whatever reason you did, even it was just "wandering around getting lost and eating gelato" and learning nothing about the art and history of Venice. The pleasurable experience that you and your wife had -- plus any number of the millions of people who to go to Venice year -- says absolutely NOTHING about the worth of Venice as a destination for another individual, future traveler. I have no idea why you and other people can't understand that --- but I urge you to go to Kyoto, which millions of other tourists have visited and feel the same way about. No? Hmmm.

Here we go again--yet another ad from an Amalfi/Sorrento-area car service!

The ad was deleted.

I wonder whether the original poster has given up on this plan, since sh hasn't responded.

Zeppole, Your statement;
"Personally, I find what most people do in life to be appalling".
Need I say anything else.

Wow--Zep, you really need to change your meds.
You have now graduated to LOOKING to insult everyone.

Bob: Zeppole has been doing that since he/she started posting.

jerseygrl: You aren't going to find swimming even as far south as Sicily in October. Too chilly.

Zeppole, I have postted on the forum off and on for several years and I am now looking to plan another vacation to Italy, but I don't think I will be using the forum for any advise or suggestions because of all the bickering and arguing and ill will going on with others on the forum. Your name comes up all to frequently on the Italy forum. You are very well informed and know your stuff, but your interactions with others on the forum are rude and insulting. So, I would like to request, if I do post for information on a trip to Italy you respond politely or do not repond at all. With all due respect Nametaken.

@jerseygrl Ann1 is right - October would probably be too chilly for swimming even in southern Italy. The first half of September would be perfect.
The Aeolian Islands are amazing and perfect for an unforgivable honeymoon.
Apulia is another region that would offer you a true taste of Italy.

Mmmm - but who knows whether she's looking for an UNFORGIVABLE honeymoon? :)

Early October is sometimes warm enough for ocean swimming in NJ (and late Sept. almost always is). If the sea along southern Italy in Oct. is colder than the ocean along the NJ coast in Oct., that's surprising. I was surprised to find that the sea water temperature along the Mediterranean coast of Turkey was perfect for swimming in late October a few years ago (and I'm definitely not someone who likes cold water at all).

Have the people commenting that the water is too cold in October actually tried swimming off the Aeolian islands or off the coast of Campania in October, or are you guessing?

Thank you all for your input. We are trying to decide where to go for our honeymoon which now we know will be in the month of October 2011. We really want that amazing honeymoon setting but also be able to swim wherever we are if possible. My fiance is like a fish and is constantly swimming or snorkeling so we do need to find an area where it will be warm enough to do this

My guess is that the water will be warm enough for swimming in the Aeolian islands, but I've never been there at that time of year. The one time I was there, it was spring, and too cool for much swimming (but I wasn't there to swim).