We are planning a trip to Sicily and will likely be flying into Rome. Any suggestions for interesting towns to stop at between Rome and Sicily? And places to stay?
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
If the majority of your trip is Sicily, you might just stay in the airport and transfer to a flight to Catania. You could be there in a little over an hour. If it is your intent to travel by land and water down to Sicily, how much time do you have for this journey? By train, it's 9.0hrs-11.0hrs. There is even a night train from Rome to Catania with no train changes. Knowing how much time you have will assist with recommendations.
Posted by
Sellersburg, IN, United States
10 posts
Jerry, my husband and I are doing the same thing in September. we are flying into Rome. Spending a day there to recover from the jet lag. Then taking a train to Naples for 2 days then to Salerno for 4 days to make day trips to the Amalfi Coast, Positano. Then taking a train to Palermo. We are staying in Cefalu for 4 days and then flying back to Rome for our trip back to the states. Have fun and enjoy your trip.
Michelle
Posted by
OP
Monument, CO, USA
149 posts
This is in its early planning stages. We have a friend with a place in Cefalu and plan to stay 3-5 days with him. We will be travelling in November for about 3 weeks, hoping that prices will drop by then. I am researching the Amalfi coast and Matera, and Alberobello for some variety. I am wondering about other towns that people have some experience with and would recommend. Also rooms that would be resonably priced. We aren't into luxury, but like cleanliness and an ensuite bathroom. Thanks for any suggestions.
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
Jerry, Here is a site I used a lot in my research for my trip to Sicily. http://www.bestofsicily.com/ Glad you are going to Cefalu - it was my favorite place in Sicily
and it had great beaches, nice little town to walk around in and fabulous restaurants. Having friends there will be wonderful.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY, US
3 posts
Highly recommend paesteum salerno area and matera and beautiful cave churches and ruins in around. Matera is like nothing you have ever we....a city built into the rocks. Amazing!
Posted by
San Diego
1540 posts
I'll chime in and given another strong vote for Matera - YES, it is one of the most amazing places I've seen in Southern Italy. I wandered around for hours and just loved it.
Posted by
OP
Monument, CO, USA
149 posts
Thanks to all for your comments. Anyone for Lecce? Tropea? And is Taranto OK as a base, or is it too industrial?
Posted by
Atlanta
800 posts
We stayed in Tropea on our way back from Sicily a few years ago. But it was June and we enjoyed it for the beachy type break that it was. Not sure how it would be in November, unless you're like me and enjoy the sea no matter what season. But I'd look into what goes on there off season. We didn't see/hear many other Americans - waiters assumed we were German and handed us German menus a few times. So it may be that there are still tourists in what I would assume is off-season, they'd probably just be European tourists.