If we’re talking south of Italy, then I would definitely say head straight for Sicily. We drove down quite quickly through the south (check the preceding blog posts from this one to read about it), and found it very underwhelming/distasteful, for the reasons you describe; Then we hit Sicily and things changed completely – we’re very fond of Sicily.

Highlights for us were Mount Etna National Park (absolutely fantastic, beautiful – check out our photos of Mount Zoccolaro in autumn), Zingaro National Park and Erice (all written about here, for more details). I quite enjoyed the drive towards Mount Etna from the south coast, too, actually.

Best, Michael

My wife and I are planning a trip to Italy next March. The first week we’re going to Rome and Venice because….because they’re Rome and Venice. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to decide where in Southern Italy to spend time exploring by car. I’m usually very good at this sort of search but nothing I see really convinces me. There is lots of info on beautiful beaches (Tropea) and glamorous stretches of road (Amalfi) but not much on out-of-the way places. Usually any photos are various carefully composed angles of one spot and/or EVERYBODY mentions the garbage. (I’ve beeen to Mexico and there’s lots of garbage there but hardly anybody mentions it so how bad must it be in Italy?!)

We don’t intend to do any camping but my wife and I love the outdoors, small villages in pretty locations and exciting cities (I guess basically the same as everyone else.) I know if we stop at some beautiful beach and there’s trash and garbage scattered around, I’m going to be really pissed-off. Poor is one thing, dirty is another.

Anyway, it appears from your writing you have a sympathetic view so, do you have any recommendations of a 5-6 day drive? Would you skip South Italy and go directly to Sicily?

Thnaks much.