I am planning to travel throughout Italy (mostly Rome and below) at the end of December. I know the average temps. are fairly chilly, too much for swimming in the sea. Any suggestions for winter travel? We're still hoping to go to Pompeii and other historical sites. Other than these, museums and the like, do you have any recommendations?

Napoli! Even though you will be past Christmas, you will still get to see the decorations, for which the Neopolitans are famous. In Napoli, handcrafted creches and angels have been made for centuries and are available in the teeming old neighborhoods of Napoli. In addition, the city has several outstanding museums and unbelievably flamboyant churches, as well as a network of underground ruins that date back to when the Greeks founded the city.

In some years the southern half of Itlay has gotten snow (and not a lot of snow plows around) so I wouldn't lock myself into an itinerary, especially one that involves driving. Also, between Christmas and New Year's, Italians traditionally have their midwinter holiday and they travel extensively within Italy, often to visit relatives. It means real competition for train tickets and lodgings in some places.

I've never been in a lot of Southern Italy, but I have heard there are fascinating towns in Abruzzo and Puglia.

I hope you get mild weather!

You might find this helpful:

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/puglia/lm_puglia.htm

Sicily - mild temps, no room shortages, modest prices.

WK

Sicily is not necessarily mild in winter. WHen I was there in early April two years ago it snowed in Palermo and other places in Sicily. The wind can simply howl at gale force in both Sicily and Southern Italy.

The mildest winter temps can usually be found around the coast of Lazio (near Tuscany) or near the French border. And also around the Venetian lagoon.

But I wouldn't go anywhere in Italy at the end of December thinking I'll get pleasant weather, and in coastal areas and islands, a lot of hotels simply shut down so as not avoid the costs of heating, etc, for so few tourists.

I love going to Italy in the winter, but I pick places where I know I will find mainly indoor attractions.

Nessundorma,
I'll take any suggestions, even indoor ones! Also, does anyone know if the hot springs of the Aeolian Islands are still worth it in the winter? We're hoping to go at least to Vulcano so we can see the black beaches there. I'm also a speaker of Italian so activities that aren't aimed just at the English Speaking tourist would probably be appealing as well!

Does anyone know about heading to Greece this time of year as well? Thanks!