I have to choose between a itinerary to Italy or Malta (details below) - Please, help me

I can’t believe they consider Bari in Puglia as a day trip from “ somewhere on the Amalfi Coast”.”
I would not get involved with this company after reading their Amalfi Coast itinerary.

I guess I'd also ask if you've been to Italy before? Do you have an actual interest in Malta? I do, lol!!, but some might not find it interesting.

Is this a group tour you are being offered?? How many people in each tour?

With such little information, I don't think there is anything like enough information for you or us to make any kind of value choice.

I don't see what the hurry is, for something which is between two and six months down the line, where no information is being provided- even the length of the trip is unclear.

That is no way for a holiday company to do business, and I get a very bad vibe from what is written here.

For the record I would choose Malta, for the ease of transportation round the Island, and of neighbouring Gozo, and also for the amount of history (especially, but certainly not uniquely) it's very visible and extensive Roman remains. But also far more recent history- like the Island's George Cross actions in WW2.

Assuming this travel company is not a scam, I’d choose Malta. 4 days are adequate for Malta, and if it turns out to be a scam, you will probably lose less money. The time of the year (November, using the European DD/MM/YYYY convention) is rainier than average, it doesn’t matter when you go, but the later in the month the cooler the temperatures. February is the coldest time, although Malta doesn’t get super cold.

If you select the 7 days in Amalfi, the weather considerations are similar. Bari is way too far to visit on a day trip. If it’s just Caserta, then it’s doable (most famous thing is the Royal Palace, but don’t know if that is part of the package). Montecassino, a monastery between Naples and Rome famous for the Allied bombing during WW2, is doable as a day trip.

Wow..... Thank you SO MUCH - each and every one of you! This is just amazing..... You've given me such long and detailed replies! And I just saw you have so many thousands of posts!!! And... I just registered here - and I'm receiving your opinions just like that, even for free?!? This is... almost crazy... Thank you again - to every one of you. I will reply now to each of you separately.

@Suki
To you (and also to the others actually) - let me say that this is actually something that I technically "won", so it's given to me for free - I just have to choose one of the trips. This reward is from a world-famous company - so it would be really difficult for this to turn out 100% scam. I have no idea - maybe it's a little "rushed" in a way, but I could be wrong even about that. Anyway, it does seem strange for them to call "a trip to Bari" a one day trip... Could it be that they have in mind that the travel to Bari as well as the coming back from there will be on separate days - thus, allowing for one full day in Bari? Unless it's the last stop and maybe we are going to take a plane straight from the airport at Bari?? I mean for example "we travel to Bari on Tuesday, so we can have our full day in Bari on Wednesday, and then we go back to Amalfi on Thursday". I have NO idea if the plan would be anything like that - all of this is a wild guess. I have actually already asked them for more details (about what exactly will the two trips include, which hotels also, etc) but they haven't replied so far. So I hope this clears a bit of the confusion as to "how are they giving so little information".

@Pam
I've actually been to Italy but only once and just for a couple of days I think. And I was in Bari but I think I'd go there again - what I'm saying is "don't directly rule it out just because I've already been there" (and also there's the other option for "sub-itinerary" that doesn't include Bari, but this way I'd have to forfeit going to Casertavecchia, in favour of visiting Montecasino, which I have no idea if I'd like). But yes - I remember a lot of the stuff. At the same time, maybe it would be cool to remind myself all the places and also see them during the cold weather, outside of active holiday season? I don't know... Also - haven't been to Malta. It seems to me both countries are "pretty Italian" and can't tell much of a difference at first glance. (Maybe I sound utterly uninformed - please forgive me if I do so.)

@isn31c
Yeaaah - I KNOOOW... It's way too little information! I will ask again for more info if they don't reply on Monday - and will try to force them to give me more info so that I can take an actually INFORMED decision! And the "hurry" is that these are the conditions if you "win" - you have to tell them what you choose in quite a short period of time - only a few days. Yes - I know about the bad vibes and everything - I also don't think anyone should pay for something like that. But I guess, since it's a "prize", they are just giving you very rough information, barely enough to make the choice. You say that you appreciate the ease of transportation around Malta - I, personally, have no idea how much "free time" I'll have there. By "free", I mean "out of the pre-organized program". What do you (or any of the other guys/gals) think about having "free time" there? I have no idea how it would be... and will almost every free hour be "scheduled" somehow?? I have NO idea... And about the thing you called "especially, but certainly not uniquely" - what exactly do you mean? That the history there is not that "unique" (and therefore interesting)? Or you mean the same thing but about the Roman remains?

@Roberto da Firenze ⚜
You know about it being a scam by now - I explained in the other replies. Again - the company is world-famous and reputable - so don't worry about losing less money in case it turns out to be a scam I mean. But I do appreciate your warning! And yes - this is the European DD/MM/YYY convention - so this is in November or February. So you say I better choose the beginning of November, right? About Bari being a one day trip - please read what I have replied to Suki. I also have no idea if the Royal Palace will be part of the "package" - I have almost no idea what exactly would be part of the "package" AT ALL haha! Thank you for all your considerations - and especially for the weather.

And about the thing you called "especially, but certainly not uniquely" - what exactly do you mean?

What I meant was that there is a lot of really well preserved Roman remains, and in a pretty compressed area. Yes you can see the same in parts of Italy, but the ease of access to the Roman stuff is great.

I also meant that Valletta is a UNESCO world heritage site, with a long and complex history. There are over 300 historical monuments of various eras of that history within a single square mile.

The transit is so good that, unlike in mainland Italy, there is no need to plan or think about it. Just hop on a bus.

If it is a 4 day or 4 night trip to Malta I read that as that the guided tours will take almost all of your time- I don't see much free time. I think that is a shame, but you will have covered all the "essential" bits of Malta in that time and in a guided way. I personally think a day or two of free time would be nice. But then the 4 days will have allowed you to decide if you want to come back to Malta on your own or have seen enough to suit your own interests. If it is almost all guided then it doesn't matter too much where the hotel is.

From the UK holiday companies do month long winter trips to Malta, to escape the winter (like snowbirds in the US heading to Florida!!). As I get older I could be really attracted by that. Far more so than the same sort of winter offers to a beach on a Spanish Costa.

If, as you say, this is a prize from a world class company, then it eases my mind rather on the quality of what you will get, and that it will actually happen.

I wouldn't describe Malta as being "generally Italian." It's a melange of history including rich Crusader and Arab periods. Maltese is more closely related to Arabic with many, many Italian words. The country is small enough that you can see most of it in 3.5 - 4 days which is probably what's offered. I would definitely choose November over February and hope for sunny days when it's glorious. On cloudy days, it's not nearly as scenic - though just as interesting.

"And... I just registered here - and I'm receiving your opinions just like that, even for free?!? This is... almost crazy"

Oh gosh, this made me laugh! Yes, we are all volunteers and love to give advice!

”let me say that this is actually something that I technically "won", so it's given to me for free - I just have to choose one of the trips.”

Hi & welcome to the travel forum!

I agree with others that the Puglia region (Bari) is not a day trip from Amalfi. I happen to be planning a trip where I will be in that region for two weeks, and Bari itself would be low on the list for such a long day trip! Some of the other cities in Puglia are much higher on my list.

Please look at the details closely when you receive more information from the company. My husband & I have “won” domestic trips that we did not accept after finding out all of the details because they were so restrictive and would have been more effort than benefit. Or there were some fees to turn it into something actually usable but flying suspect airlines. If they want you to pay some handling fee or any other “deposit” upfront, be extremely careful that you’re not being taken by a scam. A real company will give you details of itineraries and give you the airline details whether it’s a paid or free vacation. Maybe something to consider is how you were selected to “win” this trip…

A short question comes to mind for now:

If I appreciate "atmosphere" - which destination would be better - Italy or Malta (in this particular case, with the descriptions of both itineraries)?

And THANK you all for your latest replies and also thank you to all the new people who have to come to the thread! I will be back with more detailed replies soon but just wanted to shoot that question for now.

Hi again! I guess those people won't give any meaningful reply to my questions... And I'll have to "shoot in the dark" to a certain extent. But nobody has asked me to pay any amount of money - so don't worry.

Now I'll proceed to the personal replies.

@isn31c
First - thank you for your clarification on what you meant. Oh! I didn't know about Valletta being a UNESCO heritage site! And many thanks for assuring me that public transportation is good in Malta (unlike in Italy). OK - I get it that 4 days would be sufficient for Malta - but I was wondering if it would be a bit "boring" in a way, looking only at those historical sites.. Not taht I "don't care about such things at all" - but I wonder if Amalfi will feel like it has more "soul" to it than Malta? Why do you prefer Malta better than Spanish Costa? Yes - the company itself is not some kind of "tourism/travelling company" - it's for extremely famous/popular products, like beverages - so that company HAS to partner with a company that specializes in tourism - that's the idea.

@Chani
Yeah actually... I kinda knew it's not exactly "Italian", but I'm not super well acquainted with Malta as a country. I really love the word "melange" that you've used... What's your native language, if I may ask? And thank you so much about the weather recommendation and the concise description of Malta!

@Pam
Hahaha - I'm glad I made you laugh! You kinda made me laugh, too - by telling me what you've laughed at haha 😅. And thank you and everybody else for being volunteers in this kind of way and giving quality advice - for free!

@Jean
About Bari not being a day trip - ok, I get it. But what if the plan is to go to Bari, let's say on Wednesday (in the evening), then have the whole Thursday for Bari only, and get back to the place we'd be staying on Friday? Is this something that happens often? Or is this not the typical way and schedule in which the things happen during such "trips"? So, if you say that Bari is not very interesting to you - and that other cities in Puglia are more interesting and more worth it to you - would you mind saying which are those cities? Just to get some ideas. About the trips that you've "won" and then did not accept - did you have to pay any kind of "deposit" for them or anything like that? If not - how exactly it could be "more effort than benefit" (I'm asking only if you have the time and willingness to describe it of course). And thanks for the warning!

I think if you truly don’t know which to choose, flip a coin and see if you are relieved or a tinge disappointed with the results.

I would choose Malta - because I haven’t been there. Otherwise, both are good choices.

And now - a general questions targeted at everybody.

I'm trying to get an idea about the two places. Do you think that Malta is more like a "country that has become a museum under the open sky"? Do you think that the regions described in the Italian itinerary maybe have more "soul" and "atmosphere/vibe"? Do you think that people in those specific Italian regions would be more open to talking to tourists "on the street" and generally friendly and display more hospitality?

Also - about the options in Italy - let's say that Bari is "boring" (in a way - let me know if you disagree) - what we've left is the other half of the Bari trip, which is in Casertavecchia. And also the other "itinerary", part of the Italian trip (as a choice) - which it would be to Montecasino. Any advice on that? Is Montecasino too much all about some kind of "shopping mall" attractions? Or is it also cool and interesting if I like more typical Italian things (not some high tech stuff made only for the tourists)??

Do you think that it would be cool and interesting to go to Bari just to see "the same place but kinda during the winter" (as I mentioned - I've been there but only once and just for a couple of days)? Or it will not be as cool as this "comparison of seasons" may sound??

@TexasTravelmom

Oh... Thanks actually for the simple advice!

Hi, back again replying to the questions you specifically asked me. Hope this is helpful!

”About Bari not being a day trip - ok, I get it. But what if the plan is to go to Bari, let's say on Wednesday (in the evening), then have the whole Thursday for Bari only, and get back to the place we'd be staying on Friday? Is this something that happens often? Or is this not the typical way and schedule in which the things happen during such "trips"? So, if you say that Bari is not very interesting to you - and that other cities in Puglia are more interesting and more worth it to you - would you mind saying which are those cities? Just to get some ideas. About the trips that you've "won" and then did not accept - did you have to pay any kind of "deposit" for them or anything like that? If not - how exactly it could be "more effort than benefit" (I'm asking only if you have the time and willingness to describe it of course). And thanks for the warning!”

I am going to Bari, but it’s to attend a large festival; otherwise, it wouldn’t be on my list. The places in Puglia I definitely want to stay at least overnight with approximately the order of priority to see them for me - not the order of my itinerary: Lecce, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Ostuna, Trani, Martina Franca.

Lecce for the architecture & a cooking class, Polignano a Mare for the cliff/water, my room is overlooking the popular inlet gorgeous spot, plus I will take a boat ride to see the cliff/cave from the water; Alberobello because I definitely want to sleep in a trullo and be there overnight to take sunset & sunrise photos of the trulli; Ostuni for the white village & a special B&B lodging, etc….

The free trips that we “won” limited us to a strict itinerary, days-of-the-week to travel, time of flight with an undisclosed airline, etc. There’s a lot of effort to get ready for a trip - pets, etc. and especially before we were retired. Since we couldn’t add some more days for our own wishes at the location to benefit from all of the effort, it wasn’t worth it for us. I seem to remember there was also something funky about paying some taxes upfront or something - sorry can’t remember those details. So to summarize, I just wanted to advise to be careful that you weren’t wasting your expenses - there’s always some of your own, for something you wouldn’t normally choose for a vacation.

I really like Texas Travel Moms advice.

It's only a few days, you have little to go on, and a deadline to meet.

That is the best way to resolve this.

Malta definitely isn't a living museum to me. But hey if that side of the coin wins then you can decide that.

Unlike many (maybe most) on this forum my knowledge of Italy is quite sparse, so I can't comment on the Italian option.

Ok - Thanks everyone for your help. really appreciate it.

Maybe one more question if anybody could answer.

Do you have any idea how much more "empty and hollow" it would feel on the different places in Italy and Malta compared to if it was in peak tourist season during the summer?

In other words - will Amalfi and Casertavecchia look and feel too empty in November compared to Malta? Will Malta look much better and more livelier even in November compared to Italy in November?

And generally - even in November - do you think that either Italy or Malta would feel more like having "soul"? I'm afraid if Malta would feel "curious but colder", and if Italy would feel like "not so many interesting places with such rich history - but maybe more feeling and vibe"? I don't know... I'm just wondering

Well I was in Malta in late December. And it was plenty warm enough, if not tropically hot. Very nice weather. And stilll plenty of people around.

Valletta may be full of the historic buildings, but it is also still a fully functioning city. The same goes for anywhere else. In fact possibly all the better for not being over run with summer tourists.

Hey EVERYBODY - LISTEN! LO AND BEHOLD! They have promised me to answer my questions!!! Hahaha - can you believe that?! But I called them 3 times on the phone hah... so who knows. I'll let you know if they really answer and what they tell me!

@isn31c
Oh Thanks! That;s what I was hoping to hear! Exactly what I was hoping for!!! Almost the same place - minus all the overcrowdedness and pesky tourists haha!

The new information is as follows.

First, about the Italy itinerary: there will be NO Bari - it will NOT BE INCLUDED! The Italian itinerary will actually include two "sub-itineraries" - one to the Abbey of Monte Cassino (it will be on the first day in Italy) and the other will be "visiting the medieval town of Casertavecchia" (this will be on the fifth day). And it's specified that all other days are "free days" (without any schedule as I understand). Still no more details about exact hotels. And you know - the rest is the same - for example 7 breakfasts, overall 7 stays, etc.

Now, about Malta - Program/schedule:

Day 1 - Flight to Malta
Welcome to Malta. Our guide will meet you (I guess at the airport) and will take you to your hotel. End of day.

Day 2 - Valletta
Breakfast. Today we are to make one full day round trip around the landmarks in Valletta. You'll visit the Archeological Museum and the richly ornamented St. John's Co-Cathedral, including the world-famous paintings of Caravaggio adorning the vaulted ceiling, which you'll be able to see. After that you'll visit the Grandmaster Palace Courtyard and the Barrakka Gardens, from where a beautiful vista overlooking the Grand Harbour can be enjoyed. In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy the multi-vision show "Malta Experience" with an overall look at the history of Malta. End of day.

Day 3 - Mdina - Rabat - Mosta
Breakfast. Today, you'll visit the old capital Mdina, also known as "the quiet city". There will be beautiful vistas to different parts of Malta. In Mdina or Rabat, you'll have a short lunch break. After that, you'll visit St. Paul’s Grotto in Rabat. In the botanical gardens of Sant'Anton you'll be able to get to know the local flora. You'll also visit the Rotunda of Mosta as well as the Ta' Qali Crafts Village. Here you'll see the famous Mdina Glass and how it's made. End of day.

Day 4 - The three cities (Birgu [a.k.a. Città Vittoriosa] - Cospicua - Senglea)

Breakfast. In the morning you'll travel to Senglea for a walk in its old town. After that, you'll cross Cospicua. You'll stop at the "Old Gate" of Vittoriosa in order to see St. Lawrence's Church and the Freedom Monument. You'll continue your walk along the coast alley and you'll reach the intimidating Fort St Angelo, which you'll see from the outside. From "the three cities", there's a fantastic vista to the forts of Valletta and the Grand Harbour. Around lunch time, you'll be back at the hotel. In the afternoon, you'll have free time. End of day.

Day 5
Breakfast. You'll have some free time for a rest or a walk, after which you'll be transferred to the airport for the flight back home.

Malta: It's organized for you.

"Somewhere on the Amalfi coast" is vague. You have to make all your sightseeing arrangements from "somewhere". Transportation on the Amalfi coast is not the easiest for getting anywhere: narrow, winding, two-lane road. It's drop-dead beautiful, but you'd have to put it all together. Too far to go to Pompéi or Naples or you'd be spending all your time traveling back and forth.

Malta. For same reasons as Bets gave. All that free time on Amalfi Coast would make me nervous. It is off season so public transportation could be challenging.

I also think the length of time trip is better suited to Malta.

Thank you for your replies!

@Bets
I know it's vague - and I just learned that there's very good chance for the hotel to be in Avellino - which, if turns out to be true, I think it will be pretty bad - could you confirm? (it's an hour and half drive from Amalfi... seems very far - anything interesting in or around Avellino?) What about rent a car? I do have a driving license. Any idea if I can rent a vehicle in Avellino or close by?? And do you think it would be a bad idea (even if I could)? Any idea about prices?

@BethFL
Thanks for your suggestion and advice! I was wondering about the free time - I think there's a chance to make me calm actually, and finally take a rest hah - but I can't be totally sure about the effect of the free time on me in such a specific and foreign place haha! How sure are you about the transportation being more sparse than during season - any way to confirm it 100%? Seems more than logical - just would like to be sure if it will be almost no option... And just to confirm - Malta is four days, but Italy is seven days.

Actually - those questions are for WHOEVER COULD ANSWER THEM - thanks a bunch if anyone could!

It's just... not that I don't like architecture - but I think that I'll like the nature of Amalfi quite more than the architecture of Malta... Otherwise - I do understand you very well about all your recommendations of Malta and I do appreciate them! I'm so 50:50... I think that I'd like the free time, serenity and nature of Amalfi and the region. But at the same time - if the hotel will REALLY be in Avellino, then I don't know at all... Of course - there are the two other "sub-itineraries" in Italy that I have described in the last long post - but I don't know if they'd be enough to justify the whole seven day stay in Italy - even more so if the hotel is really in Avellino... Also - how does the nature look in November - is it much different compared to during the summer in that region (Amalfi) specifically? And generally, if I choose Italy - I'm a little afraid that Amalfi is typically more meaningful and nicer in the summer, the beaches, swimming, etc. - while Malta I think (with all that architecture) would be more equal in the summer and in the winter - what do you all think?

And I believe I could very well like the fact that it's not going to be as crowded in November in Italy - it's got its own charm that way... (not that I hate crowds - I like both, just in different ways. What I'm saying is that it's not going to be a bummer that it will feel a bit emptier probably.)

I'll try to ask them to confirm the location of the hotel in Italy. By the way, I'm pretty sure I already know the hotel in Malta - it will most probably be Solana Hotel and Spa. And for Italy (if it's in Avellino) - It's completely possible to be Hotel de la Ville or something quite similar (it's certainly a possible option - but it's not confirmed 100%).

Avellino is way, way off the Amalfi Coast--or any coast. It may be an attractive, non-touristy place, but it seems an odd base location for a week.

It appears most of the bus service is provided by AirCampania, whose website is https://aircampania.it/en/linee-ed-orari/. There are frequent buses to Naples with a travel time of 70 minutes. There must surely be buses to Salerno as well, but I can't find the schedule.

Buses to Salerno are provided by Flixbus, presently one a day for the 40 minute journey- out at 1105, back at 1715.
Limited if there is no other citybus operator, but useab!e.

AirCampania seems to do that run in an hour or so; I just couldn't find the right schedule or the website. [NOPE--See isn31c's post immediately below. It's a Sita Sud bus to Salerno.]

This is just so weird--why put people in Avellino instead of Naples or Salerno? Are they getting the hotel rooms for 30 euros a night??

Well I can find the schedule by a bit of googling- the bus company is called SitaSud-line 5330

So it's not AirCampania after all! No wonder I couldn't find the Salerno schedule on the AirCampania website.

Buses to Salerno are pretty frequent, but note that it's a Never on Sunday situation. (Be sure there isn't a holiday during the travel period you're contemplating, because I think holidays are equivalent to Sundays for scheduling purposes.) Footnotes are all-importent when reading a bus schedule. Lunedi = Monday, Venerdi = Friday, Sabato = Saturday. Code 6 is only on Saturday.

I wouldn't want to risk the last bus back to Avellino (what if it didn't show up?), so that would mean catching th 1700 departure.

You'd be sort of in trouble if there was a bus strike...

I got caught up reading this and now I want to know, how did it turn out??