We are a couple flying round trip to Rome in September. Renting a car for 21 days. Upon arrival we drive south and stay 2 nights in Matera, then 5-7 nights in the southern tip of Puglia at Marina del Gregorio. This part will be with our children and grandchildren. After that, we are on our own for 13-15 nights. (The kids are leaving early so we have option of last two nights stay in MdG or depart with them, villa is rented for 7 nights.) We are Lucky dogs!
So we have quite a few options. During the week with the kids, we will explore Puglia northward up to Bari area.
We are thinking of then traveling, via Calabria, to Sicily. We will have a car the entire trip (returning to Rome at the end). I have confirmed with Auto Europe that we can definitely take the Avis car via ferry to Sicily.
So, what is feasible with 13-15 nights after the southern tip of Puglia? Here's what we thought (we like to spend minimum 3 nights in any given place, but will shorten that if necessary to avoid ridiculous driving days). The thing is, I'm finding all kinds of advice about driving distances taking much longer than google estimates.
How does this sound for starters:
2-3 nights in Calabria (read a post that says lovely towns are Scilla, Pizzo, Tropea - do you agree? Which one?)
ferry to Sicily, then begin a counter clockwise trip:
3 nights in Cefalu (we are beach people)
park the car and 2-3 nights in Palermo;
then begin the round Sicily trip. Areas of interest include: Trapani, Agrigento & valley of the Temples, Ragusa, Siracusa. Not sure if we want to visit Mount Etna and Taormina, but we will have to take that car back to Rome for at least one night before our return home.
I am having trouble visualizing the scope of the driving part. Is it reasonable to think that we can explore Sicily in 13 nights, saving one travel day and night to return to Rome airport? Thank you for help and tips from anyone who experienced this. We don't want to drive more than 4-5 hours on travel days. We enjoy food, small villages, art, wandering the streets. We also plan to rent a boat with the family while in Marina san Gregorio..
If you think that Sicily is too much for us, then we can also change to a different region after Puglia. More of Calabria, then on to perhaps Abruzzo and/or northern Puglia?
Any and all opinions are welcome!
P.S. Don't tell me to change the rental car and fly to Rome from Catania, because we got such a good deal on air and car we must drive back to Rome. In retrospect, might not have done this, but would not be affordable to change it up now.