Hello fellow travelers,
This summer I have a 2 month trip to Europe planed, starting in Dublin Ireland ending in Rome Italy.
I have most of the first half of my trip planed and would arrive in Italy from France around the beginning of September. I have been to Italy before, visiting the main tourist cites, Rome, Florence, Siena, Venice, Naples (Amalfi Coast), etc.
I'm considering 2 plans for Italy, one concentrating on Northern Italy and the second on Sicily.
In addition, a few days before heading to Rome for my flight back to the US (September 28th), I plan to stop at a couple of small towns near Naples, where my father was from and where some cousins still live.
As I will be traveling on my own, I prefer not to rent a car, but travel by train whenever possible.
Northern Italy
I would come by train from the south of France (Niece?) to Genoa, where a cousin lives. I have never been to Genoa.
Genoa 3 nights
Verona 3 nights (I met some people from there a few years ago, and they offered to show me around and maybe take a drive to Lake Garda)
Padua 2 nights (never been, I could consider this a day trip from Venice, or stop here on the way to Venice just for the day.)
Venice 2 or 3 nights (I've been before, but it's close to Padua and I could check out the biennale art exhibits going on this year.)
Bolonia - 3 or 4 nights, never been but heard good things and looks like good base for day trips. (for example Parma. Or maybe stay in Parma instead?)
Head south to Naples and to visit cousins near Naples
Head to Rome around the 24th of September
Fly out September 28th.
The second option would skip northern Italy and instead fly from France to Sicily and spend about 2 weeks there before heading to Naples. (there is overnight ferry service from Palermo or Catania to Naples).
In that case,
Fly to Palermo
Palermo 3 or 4 nights
Train to Cefelu , 2 nights
train to Taormina 3 nights
train to Syracuse (Siracusa) 3 nights - maybe a day trip to Noto.
train to Catania - 1 or 2 nights, then out to Naples either flying or by ferry.
The downside to Sicily is I understand it's best explored by car, and I don't know anyone there, on the plus side I've never been and hear it's a must see and would be more of an 'adventure'. If I go to northern italy I would get to meet a cousin and friends who are native Italians, so that is a plus.
I don't expect you to make the choice for me but do both of these itineraries seem doable in the time I have?
any suggestions on something I might have missed in either case?
Thanks!
Louis
