Sicily in October

It's Europe - you just can't know in advance. Friends of mine spent a week in Sicily in early September a couple of years ago and had marvelous weather. A week later the rains were so bad that there was major flooding - albeit a fairly rare occurance.

Thank you Chani, that's kind of what I figured. (I'd actually prefer to go in early September myself, job permitting).

Where in Sicily are you going to be? East or West Coast? I was in Taormina a year and a half ago in September, and I can tell you that while the weather was very warm, the water was frigid (by my standards). I've never found the water warm off the coast of Southern Italy, Spain or Sicily to be warm enough for swimming, but maybe I'm a wimp. The Sicilians were all in the water, and in Spain the Spaniards were in the water, but none of the Americans I was with could do it. That being said about swimming, the beaches are wonderful for me to enjoy seaside. The sand on the West side was rock/pebbles. However, the cafes/bars/restaurants, in Taormina were delightful, and Sicily was the best vacation I've ever had.
see: magicofsicily.com We rented an apartment through this website and went on several tours. We were with another couple and totally enjoyed it.

Here is a website that I used when planning my trip to Sicily - lots of good info on a variety of sites etc. Your text to link here... I was there in November and found the water in the seas to be cold. ( I went in anyway.)
My favorite 'beachy' seaside town was Cefalu. Loved it !!

Thank you to Donna and Frances for your helpful advice. Being from New York, the waters here are always cold - even on the hottest days of summer - so I'm wondering, should I save my swimming for the Caribbean (another place I'd like to visit)? But Sicily - and southern Italy in general - are what call me right now, so, I'll probably just see if I can take the cold, and if I can't concentrate on other diversions. The main thing is, I'd like to relax. Thanks again,
Tom

The Mediterranean waters are cooler, year-round, than Gulf of Mexico waters already. Due to reduced sunlight hours at the time, don't expect the water to be comfortable for swimming at all. Some people still do enter the water, but it will be cold.

Tom, not all beaches in Italy are sand, so you may want to investigate specific areas. The water is cooler than the Atlantic or the Gulf of Mexico. Cefalu on the north central coast has nice sandy beaches, a giant rock to walk up if you are so inclined, great shopping and restaurants for a town its size and a very important cathedral, but it still has a smallish-town relaxed pace.

I guess I had a serious misconception that the Mediterranean would be warm! It's hard to believe that water in that part of the world, where it gets so hot, could be colder than the Atlantic (which is cold even on 90 degree days, at least in New York). Anybody from New York on here who's found this to be the case? But thank you everyone for sharing your experiences, this is what I need to make an informed decision. I guess if I'm going to do a "swimming" vacation, I'd better look at the Caribbean or the Gulf. Or maybe I'll just brave the cold like I do here in New York. Thanks again, Tom

DO go to Sicily! Seriously, I'm a retired airline employee who has raised a bunch of kids and have finally been able to put my travel benefits to use the past 5 years since the youngest went off to college (and life started!) I, too, always dreamed in swimming in the Aegean
Blue waters of the Med and the waters are as blue as your imagination, but the water is not as warm, and the sand is not the fine powder that you'll find in the Carribbean or even Florida...but! The Caribbean and Florida will always be there, close, and inexpensive to get to. If THIS is your opportunity, TAKE IT! However, you WILL see jaw dropping Greek Ruins, eat amazing Sicilian food, perhaps go to a vineyard, see an active Volcano, and meet warm wonderful Sicilian people! Those things you will NOT get in the Carribbean! Seriously, take a look at "magicofsicily.com" I rented from these wonderful people and took several enlightening tours and, after travelling extensively all over Europe and Italy many times, it truly was the vacation of a lifetime! Let us know what you decide! Happy Travels!