Southern Italy and Sicily in November??

Anne, what are you describing as "Southern Italy"? We have never done Sicily/Italy in the winter, but have done Sicily in the Spring and early Summer, when it is just awesome. November is the rainy season there. Sicily does shut down in the winter, but you can still have some fun there. Renting the car is the only way to go, and driving is not that bad if you stay out of Palermo and any major town during rush hour. We have done Puglia in Spring and absolutely loved it. Lecce is a college town that is like a a mini Siena. We used the Lonely Planet guidebooks to plan our trips in both Sicily and Puglia, and found their advice to be invaluable. A car is a must in both. Have you considered southern Spain and So. Portugal? We were wading in the ocean one XMass when we were in Portugal. Since I live in the Porland area also, I like to get out of the rain that time of the year. I would pick a place that has a better chance of being warmer. Yes, South Italy and Sicily do not get the rain that we get, but it is really nice if you can go to a place that has a better chance of being warm and sunny.

To research the typical weather there, at that time of year, use this site: http://www.wunderground.com/tripplanner/index.asp

Like in Southern Italy, November is also off-season in Sicily, so beach towns close, but cities and historic sites are still good to visit. Depending on your location, you might not need a car because public transport is very good. http://www.ilmeteo.it/Sicilia

I'm considering visiting Cefalu for a few days around the 10th of November this year. It's a "beach town" but also a great place for sea views, walking, eating, etc. Would you recommend NOT going there in Nov?........ I was there early in Oct. one year and it was perfect.

Although Cefalù is a beach town, and it's historic centre is a tourist attraction, Cefalù is also a real Sicilian town, so you would be fine in November. Cefalù just becomes more local and less touristy in the off season.

Thanks for all the replies so far. We are definitely sticking to Italy in November, though for a future trip Spain in definitely on the list. Right now we plan on taking the early-morning train from Rome to Reggio di Calabria (splurging on first-class), then the ferry to Messina, then a train to our home base in Sicily [INVALID] haven't decided where that will be yet. Probably will rent a car for most of the stay so we can see more. Any suggestions for a home base in Sicily [INVALID] a town not hard to drive in, with restaurants open in the off season?

Through December 11, 2010, you can travel on any Eurostar-ES train in Italy for 29 Euros in second class, including the early-morning (6:45 a.m.) Eurostar from Rome to Reggio di Calabria. Called the "PROMO AUTUNNO", this promotional fare requires purchasing tickets no later than MIDNIGHT of the day beforehand. Seats at this promotional fare are capacity-controlled, however. The "regular" fare on this train is 66 Euros in second, and 97 Euros in first class. As you can see, the 29-Euros promotional fare in second class is a terrific deal!!! Bear in mind that there is not a huge difference between second and first class on the Eurostar, and second class is usually fine for most people. From Messina, you can continue to Palermo, Taormina or Siracusa by train as well. If you decide to skip Reggio di Calabria, there is a direct IC train from Rome to Palermo/Siracusa at 7:27 a.m. at the promotional fare of only 19 Euros in second class. However, you're better off flying from Rome to either PMO or CTA than taking the train.

Thanks again for all the help. We have the Sicily trip almost all planned. We'll take the train from Rome to Taormina on Sunday Nov. 14. Stay in Taormina for three nights at the Villa Paradiso. At some point pick up a car.

Then we'll spend two nights somewhere between Taormina and Palermo, probably in the south. Maybe a B&B in the countryside. Suggestions welcome!!

At the end of the stay we'll drop off the car, and then spend two nights in Palermo at the Hotel Vecchio Borgo.

Anne, I like Giovannoa's idea; take the plane. We have done that train trip.....it is a long one, and is still beautiful, but I would still fly over and back. There are lots of lo coast inter EU airlines (see whichbudget.com)that you can pick from.

We rent our cars thru Auto Europe, and one time we picked up a rental when in Taorimina, and [INVALID]ed it off elsewhere. Make sure that you bring your GPS from home.

On one of our trips we stayed just outside of Syracusa at a Karen Brown recomended Agritourisimo called Il Limoneto. It was not fancy, but the owners and their help, and the meals were just fantastic. (see reviews on Trip Advisor, and check out other Agri's on TA.)

However, you're better off flying from Rome to either PMO or CTA than taking the train.

Thanks for the lodging/food suggestion, Steve. Originally I had planned to fly Rome to Sicily and back, but I am doing a lot of intra-Europe flying on this trip so I thought the train would be a nice change. We are flying out of Palermo when heading home [INVALID] no need for two day-long train trips. Re AutoEurope and their requirement that you carry the GPS from the US to Europe yourself: Did that last year and the unit was stolen from my luggage (my carry-on was full of higher-priority work items). Found out that I could have picked up the GPS at the car rental counter in Germany. So we'll be picking up the GPS unit in Sicily.

Anne, sorry to hear about your GPS. That is why mine is always in my carry-on. Make sure that the Italian GPS is set-up in English before you leave the rental lot. Have them walk thru it with you.

Have fun; you will love Sicily!
You do understand that many of the trains go direct; you do not have to take a people ferry across to Sicily. They load the complete train on a ferry, float across the straights, and then continue on to other towns in Sicily.

Also consider the Aeolian Islands for your next trip...they are awesome in early summer.

I did Sicily in late January and it was wonderful. In fact, I can't imagine a time when Sicily wouldn't be wonderful. Enjoy the lack of tourists/crowds!

Ask where to sit in the train going to Sicily since the train splits in Messina with half going to Taormina-Catania-Siracusa, and the other half going to Milazzo-Cefalù-Palermo.

GPS isn't always reliable so carry a good map.