Hi We (2 adults and 2 boys aged 15 and 11) are travelling to Italy in late Sept / early Oct 2014. We are looking for a week somewhere with good beaches where we can slow down for a while. We will have a car so can take day trips from a central base. We are thinking of Sicily or Puglia. Any thoughts on the pros and cons of each, which would you recommend? We would also appreciate your thoughts on the best place to base ourselves in each area. Thanks
Marshall
Posted by
Milano
60 posts
in sicily and puglia are very different..in sicily is much bigger,with much more place to visit but puglia is my favorite south's region. In sicily you can stay in palermo and enjoy the mondello's beach
In puglia otranto is my favorite city
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
1012 posts
I enjoyed Sicily and there is a lot to see. The region around Taormina has good beaches - look at Naxos Giordini which as at the foot of the cliff on which Taormina is situated. Also a railway which connects you to the rest of Sicily. Great views of Mt. Edna - the boys might enjoy going to the top. Puglia is very different - it is quite arid and everything seems to be far apart. Some neat places to visit though. I spent a couple of days in Viestre a small resort/fishing area. Quite pretty - and hilly so lots of steps. Small beaches as I recall. The Med. can be quite rough in the fall. The tulli area of Puglia is interesting - houses that look like something out a fairy tale. Unfortunately the main town (whose name I have forgotten) is quite touristy now...but still an interesting area and fun to walk around. The star as far as I am concerned is Matera - a town where many inhabitants lived in caves until the 1950's much to the embarrassment of the Italian government. These cave dwellings are now homes, weekend and holiday homes, hotels and restaurants. We stayed at a lovely hotel built onto caves with the most amazing grotto-like swimming pool underground.