My husband and I are going to spend two weeks in the south of Italy this September for our 25th anniversary. We are trying to decide on Puglia, Sicily or some combination of Sicily and maybe Calabria? We have never been south of Sorrento and it's a little overwhelming to hone in on what to choose from all the fabulous choices. Food is a huge part of the satisfaction of traveling. Additionally, we don't want to change places every two nights -- maybe stay at three places tops and make day trips. Advice much appreciated!
Both are beautiful. Sicily offers more in terms of historical places to visit. Sicily. Needs at least 10 days, if you have 2 weeks, it's perfect. If you are interested in a beach holiday, Puglia has, IMO, better beaches and sea (unless you go to Sicily's smaller islands). Food is great in both regions. Tough choice. Toss a coin.
Two weeks= Sicily. We have been to Sicily twice and still have not seen all of it. You can see Puglia in a lot less time then that. Experience Sicily before you do Puglia, IMHO. You can have so much fun in Sicily. Fly into Catainia and out of Palermo (or vice versa) Or fly to Naples, book a small stateroom on the overnight ferry from Naples, cruise by the volcanic island of Stromboli in the early morning, and go on to the Aeolian Islands for a few days. Make Lipari your base and do day trips to each of the totally different isles. Plan on swimming at at least two. Bring your beach pebble walking shoes. Then take the hi-speed ferry back to the mainland, pick up your rental car, and begin your trip there. We use the Lonely Planet guidebook to plan our trips in Sicily. We loved staying in Agritourisimos, and doing day trips from them. (or B&B's) Find some that provide meals and you are in for a special treat! For special places to stay look at Alistar Sawdays and Karen Brown's recomendations. Seek and vet lodging choices on Trip Advisor. I would do at least 4 stops. Enjoy!
Roberto is right! Either would be great but I'd start with Sicily and go to Puglia for another trip. I think there is more to do for two weeks in Sicily - we spent 15 days there with plenty to do and see.
I just returned from a rick Steves 10 day tour in Sicily. It was buona!!!! Great food, wine and the archaeological sites are plentiful and amazing. The tour guide Alfio is outstanding and is from Sicily.
The south coast of Sicily has sandy beaches, if that interests you (area around Agrigento/Porto Empedocle is beautiful). My favorite places in Sicily are Cefalu, Palermo, Siracusa. If you make Palermo and Siracusa your main hubs (maybe Agrigento or Taormina for a third), you can make daytrips easily from Palermo to Segesta, Erice, Monreale, and even Cefalu; from Siracusa to Noto, Ragusa, inland to Piazza Armerina and the nearby Roman mosaics and frescoes at Villa Romana di Casale, and a longer daytrip to Mount Etna; or from Taormina you can go to Mount Etna as well.
Thank you for all the great input. Sicily it is. With all the trips we've made to Italy, it feels kind of like we're planning a visit to a brand new country and it's a bit overwhelming, so I appreciate the ideas.
I agree with Sicily. While Puglia and Calabria are nice to visit Sicilia = mi cuore!
Ron, where in Sicily does il tuo cuore feel most happy or content?
I loved all of Sicily that I saw (missed alot too) but Palermo was it for me. Did as many trips there as I could while in Italy.
Ron, Sicily does take my heart, too, especially Palermo. Cefalu and Siracusa.
Unfortunatly I missed Cefalu. Did spend a day in Siracusa though and loved it. Could easily spend more time there.
I fell in love with Taormina,Mt. Etna and the surrounding area. Mt. Etna constantly reminds you that she is very much alive! We had a great tour guide, Magicofsicily.com
Ah, but Keith, Sicily in "shoulder season" is awesome, especially Spring. Terri is going in Sept, so it should be great, also. And if she goes to out-of-the way places, like the Aeolians, it should be even better.
We would like to go to the Aeolian Islands for a few days. Suggestion on favorite island/places to stay?
Lipari Island, Lipari city. Great base to do day trips on the hi-speed ferries to other islands. We loved the rooms at Diana Brown's B@B. The upstairs rooms have some views, were large!, and had huge bathrooms, and a refer and some eating utinsels. Use Trip Adisor to find more room options. Lipari town has a fantstic little museum. Each island is totally different; read more in Lonely Planet, etc. When we were in Liapri I rented a motor scooter (NO traffic on Lipari) and we drove to some beaches and swam, and then drove around the island. So much fun!
Bring swim shoes (pebbles) and watch out if they have signs posted for "Medusa"= jellyfish.
Fantastic - thanks!