Two possible itineraries, September in Italy.

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

They are both doable.

The northern one is easier by public transport for sure,but the Sicilian one is also possible (just slower).

As above, both trips are doable. And both are totally worth doing and will most probably turn out to be a great experience. Honestly I couldn't say which one I would choose if I where in your shoes. The northern one is probably the more varied one, and the fact that you have friends and a cousin there is also a huge plus (it makes such a big different to have somebody local to take you around, introduce you to local food etc.). On the other hand, I also like Sicily a lot....

In my opinion, no matter how you choose, you will have a great time.

I have been to all of the Sicily cities you identify and enjoyed them very much as an experienced Italy traveler. Without an auto, the only city that gives me a second thought (for three whole days) is Taormina. While in Taormina we took a good organized bus tour to Mt Etna, Linguaglossa, and a river canyon. Sicily is good if you like the romance of decay, especially Syracuse and Ragusa and Palermo. From Palermo you can take an organized tour to Segesta, a simple but elegant landmark. I've not been to Noto, but think it similar to Ragusa.

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.