We've been to Italy quite a few times, usually either arriving in Milan or Rome, and heading North to see family in Emilia Romagnia. This time, I'd like to arrive in Rome, head South to Naples........rent a car and just keep going South! Anyone have any favorite towns or areas to reccommend?
Hotels........advice? Thanks!
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
I love southern Italy. I would recommend Matera, Alberobello, just about any place in Calabria.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. If you go by ferry to Sicily - the whole place is fabulous!!!!!
Posted by
Toledo
653 posts
Donna, everyone has their favorites, so here are mine: Paestum (easily reachable by car, I'd consider renting in Salerno rather than Naples if it's convenient to drop it off there). Matera, the area around Bari (including Alberobello, Otranto and Lecce). On the western coast, Tropea and Capo Vaticano, anyplace in Calabria. If you have time, definitely go to Sicily - absolutely beautiful. If you have a car, be sure it's okay to take it off the mainland. In Sicily, Taormina, Siracusa, Cefalu, Agrigento, Segesta and Erice (day trips from Palermo), any of the islands, inland to Piazza Armerina or Enna to get to the Roman mosaics at Villa Romana di Casale. If you want details on any of these places, let me know. Sicily has miles of beaches which are (in my opinion) better than the mainland, as does Calabria.
Posted by
OP
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Thank you both so much! I think we're renting an
apartment in Taormina for a week after driving through Calabria. Is it possible to go by ferry to Messina without a car? Or to get rid of the car in Calabria? If anyone has any experience in this area. Otherwise, I need to check with car rental agencies! This trip came up suddenly, and I need to get on it! (October)
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Donna, when we rented a car on the Italian mainland, and were thinking of also using it on one of the islands ( Sardinia) I just plugged the pick-up and drop-off points into the AutoEurope website and looked at the price difference. In our case, it was a lot less costly to keep the car, and take it across on the ferry. However, every time we have gone to Sicily, we have found the best deal is to fly from the mainland (Naples, Rome, etc.) on one of the lo-cost inter-EU airlines. (use Whichbudget.com to search for these.) We have flown in and out of Catainia and Palermo, and then picked up a rental car. We love Puglia, and Sicily. The best time to see Sicily, IMO, is in Spring. Starting in June it gets REALLY hot.
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2332 posts
Yes, we took the ferry without car between Messina and Villa San Giovanni - easy. Neat town near the latter is Scilla - would be worth an overnight if you have time.