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We (retired Canadian couple) are thinking of a train trip leaving Vienna in Mid November and then travelling through Italy to Sicily, 2 weeks in Sicily (Palermo as base or ???) then on to northern Spain and end up in Bucharest for Xmas then back to Vienna for New Year..any thoughts?  Ferry to Palermo from Civitavecchia? then back to Civitavecchia and ferry to Barcelona (advice please.. is it advisable in winter ?) . San Sebastian, Bilbao or ?? in northern Spain (2 weeks so somewhere that’s a good jumping off point) then to somewhere in France (tips please), Turin then Lubljanana and on to Bucharest.  We speak Italian, French,and basic German and Spanish. 

 

Any advice much appreciated. Weather isn’t much of a concern as we live in Newfoundland so anything that isn’t rain drizzle or fog is a bonus.

Sicily is definitely a good choice. There is a good overnight train from Milan to Palermo/Siracusa (one from Turin and Rome too). In the morning it takes the last European train-ferry across the Messina strait! A fantastic experience.

After Sicily you could take the Civitavecchia - Barcelona ferry but you could as well travel along the coast: Cinque Terre - Genova - Nice - Montpellier…

Barcelona is very enjoyable in November-December yes. The sunniest place you'll encounter with Sicily.

After Bilbao/the Basque Country head to Bayonne and Bordeaux.

You might be moving all over the place afterwards though. Is there a reason to go to Bucharest? It's more than dull and cold at this time of year… you don't want to visit a depressive place on a trip haha

Thanks. Really helpful...never been to Bucharest..sole reason.  Any ideas for Xmas as an alternativ4..Lublijiana or Budapest ??

One further question… stay in Palermo as a base in Sicily or somewhere else?  Same question for northern Spain..Bilbao or San Sebastian or somewhere else??

Sicily is really indeed a good choice. I hope you have a great trip!

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