This my first posting on Fodor's (actually, my first posting on any travel forum), but I thought it would be informative for both myself and others to share our family's vacation plans. We leave in about a week and I can still make changes if anyone thinks I should (not the flights, however )

Our family (myself, my husband and our two sons), have travelled together throughout Europe over the last ten or so years, mostly in the summertime, visiting many beautiful places, but Italy has always been our favourite. With our children getting older and their advanced education and careers calling their names, this may be the last summer family vacation we will take all together for some time to come. We have visited many regions of Italy before, having spent time in Palermo and the Island of Favignana, as well as the Baroque towns of Scicli, Ortigia.and Noto. We have also travelled down the coast of Calabria (Tropea was wonderful), spent many days in Naples, Rome, Bologna, Venice, Florence, Urbino, Ascoli Piceno, Verona, San Gimignano, Bellagio (Lake Como), Noli, Trieste, Sorrento, Ravello, Lecce and Otranto, not to mention the many other fantastic day trips we took from most of these places. My husband and I also spent time alone in Puglia two years ago, spending time near Galiopoli and Santa María de Leuca.

Our upcoming vacation will last twenty nights and it goes like this:

- Fly to Rome then board flight to Palermo (3 hours later)
- Rent car and drive southwest to a beautiful resort just outside Marsala for seven nights (day trips to choose from include Marsala, Trapani, Erice, the salt pans, beaches, relax at resort)
- Morning drive back to Palermo, direct flight to Naples
- Rent car and drive to Matera for a cave hotel stay for three nights
- Drive to Ostuni for a Masseria stay for four nights
- Drive to Monopoli for a Masseria stay for three nights
- Drive to Rome (drop off car) for three nights
- Fly home

What do you think?

Thanks

Isabella

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Welcome to the Fodor's Europe forum. I'm surprised no one has chimed in yet. I'm no help, clearly you are way more an expert on Italy than I will ever be.

But my post will bring your post up to the top again.

In terms of holiday it looks fine, but it will be hot

If I was going to prod anything.....
I assume there are no direct flights from Sicily to Puglia (Bari or Brindisi)
Naples airport is really close to the centre of town and the train station. I might consider the train journey to Matera as it is pretty good with fantastic vistas.

Hi,

Thanks to you both for your help. Although the train ride from Naples to Matera must be beautiful, we will need our car for the rest of the trip.

- We would like to spend a day exploring an archeological park. Which do you suggest, Segesta or Selinunte?
- we are planning a day at the beach in San Vito lo Capo, but we would like to spend some time at another beautiful beach along the western coast, anywhere from Trapani down to Selinunte. Any suggestions?
- which do suggest spending more time visiting, Marsala or Trapani?

Thank you.

Isabella, I have nothing to add. It sounds wonderful. Enjoy!