Heading back to Italy

Do you have the RS Italy 2011 book yet? If not, that should be your starting point. His coverage of much of southern Italy can be a little sparse, so you might want to pick up another guide book as well. Lonely Planet or Blue Guide or National Geographic, perhaps. Good luck.

I am surprised to how little Rick does have on Southern Italy. I have all his books, maps and DVD's but getting info on Sicily and Capri and all the other little town is hard. I have a 2009 Italy book I wonder if I need to get the 2011. Any other book like the Lonely Planet is just not the same as Ricks. Anybody know of farm houses in these areas that are reasonable please share. Thanks so much
Pat

We just returned from two weeks in Sicily and really enjoyed it. Rick doesn't cover Sicily at all, so you'll have to try other sources. We used the 2008 Cadogan guide, which was OK. Happily for you, there are a number of new Sicily guidebooks coming out this month. For pure factual information, we found the Blue Guide quite informative and for up-to-date information and logistics there is no better source than the Sicily Destination Expert over at TripAdvisor. Depending on how much time you have to devote, I would do southern Italy OR Sicily and not both. Don't think you can go wrong either way though!

Liz, where did you stay and did you drive a car? I really do want to see the Almalfi coast and towns and Mt Vesuvio. Thanks so much
Pat

Answered via PM. :) Definitely would not recommend trying to fit in Mt. Vesuvius + Amalfi Coast + Sicily unless you have a month or so.

A few years ago we drove from Rome airport down past Naples (skipped it because of traffic fears) to Pompeii, spent night. Next night Ravello. Whole Amalfi Drive. Stopped to see Paestum. Next night a lovely B&B in Maratea that we got from Karen Brown's book. Then into Sicily, with two nights in Taormina, two in Siracusa, detour to Villa Armerina, one night in Agrigento, stopped to see Selinunte, then up to three nights at a B&B (also Karen Brown) in the park near Castellammare. Did day trips to Erice, Segesta, and Monreale. Wanted to see Cefalu, but couldn't find a place to stay. Went back up the other side of Italy for a few days and back to Rome, stopping to see Hadrian's Villa en route. It was a tiring but wonderful trip. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes driving had has energy!

My husband and I are heading back to Italy May 11th. Last time we did Venice (2), Cinque Terre (2), Florence (2), a Villa in Tuscany (4) and Rome (3). Like you we wanted to see more! This time we're staying in Sorrento(4), Taormina Sicily(3), Palermo(2). and Rome (2). I did all of my research here and on TripAdvisor (Vagabonda is wonderful!) Of course I also bought Rick's book to bring with us! I can tell you more about it when we return.

Susan, I hope you have a wonderful time. I look forward to your stories when you return. Are you driving or taking the train? Happy Travels
Pat

Margaret, We are flying into Rome and then on to Naples, depending on the weather, we will either take a Hydro-foil or the Curreri Bus to Sorrento (I would love to arrive Sorrento via Hydro-foil across the Bay of Naples if it's a beautiful day!) We will purchase the 3-Day Tutto Regione Arte Card (27 euros) which includes all Sita buses (for transportation along the Amalfi Coast including Ravello) and trains (transportation to Pompeii) and entrance to 2 Art/Archeo/Historic/Museo (we plan to use it at Pompeii) We've already reserved Gaetano for our tour of Pompeii (as recommended by Rick) We will return to Naples and fly to Catania where we have arranged for a driver to pick us up and drive us to our Hotel in Taormina. There seems to be no need for transportation in this beautiful town, we might arrange to tour Mt Etna if weather permits. From here we have hired a private driver to pick us up at our Hotel and drive us to Piazzia Armerina (Roman Village of Casale) and on to Agrigento (Valley of the Temples) and finally to our Hotel in Palermo. These private drivers are a splurge for us but when we figured what we are getting for our money we felt it was really worth it.
We will travel in Palermo by foot or bus (24 hour bus pass 3.50 euro includes Monreale) and again will bus to the airport. I'm sorry this is getting long but felt that my research might aid you. The flights within Europe were so inexpensive that we chose to fly more this time, last trip we got a Railpass and loved it but was too time consuming to get to Sicily. We've arranged for Rome cabs to pick us up at the Airport (45 euros the same as a taxi and they have a great reputation) I will definitely write a trip report to let you know if everything goes as smoothly as planned.