You will love both southern Italy and especially Sicily. I have driven around southern parts of Italy and I would recommend the Trulli area but it may have already been spoiled by tourism...the Trulli are very interesting structures!
I have made two trips to Sicily; the first short stay, looking for relatives as my great grandparents came from some small villages in the mountains above Taormina...couldn't find any, but discovered my grandparents wedding records are in the little church in Tourmina. I loved Tourmina that time. The second trip with my wife, I started in Tourmina and was totally turned off by the tourist crowds. The town is beautiful and there are some great things there. We rented a car and spent two weeks in a rather circle route going south to Catania, down to Syracuse [which became my favorite city there: great old city, wonderful seafood, one of the best haircuts I've ever had and very friendly people. Be sure to spend a few days there. I'm an architect, so the bulk of my points of interest are the temple ruins, the Roman ruins/mosaics/etc. and we tried to hit as many as possible. Palermo has great things to see, Cefulu is a spectacular site. I recommend the Dorling Kinderly Eyewitness guide ...good format, great information and maps.

Also, I find the information given by jbk224 very good and by zug55 very good and marvelous photos. Have a great trip.

Many thanks for all the great tips [ including leave tripod home!]. I don't think I will but you all have some great ideas to explore. I will check out the backpacks listed and if it seems that I can't get my existing tripod into my carry-on bag, I'll check into some of the suggested ones. I really appreciate all the responses.
Larry

Clint,
Thanks for the quick response. I am not sure what you m4/3 means. Have you any recommendations for backpacks [small size probably for me?

Dean,
Thanks a bunch!
Larry

Thanks for all the helpful info I read and note for all UHHers. I am curious about how you travel & fly with tripods, multiple cameras and lenses, etal. I am an old codger and with arthritis will be using only a Nikon P610 point/shoot [but a pretty good camera] and am planning a Road Scholar Costa Rica tour in December with a photo guide/teacher.
I know I will not compete with all the tele lenses and other great cameras that the other people will have and use. I am considering a tripod, but am not sure how to deal with it in transit.
I may be able to put it inside my carryon bag but haven't actually tried it since space in there is a premium for clothing. I will have a small camera bag, my little wheelie and wonder if the additional tripod item will be questioned. Does anyone have any info or ideas on this? Thanks. Larry

Beautiful! My neighbor had a plot full of them until a few years ago; his were white and pretty spectacular. I wasn't aware of other colors; all I knew is that they were significantly poisonous.
Larry

David,
Thanks for the tip! I just ordered two; one for me and one for my Photographer friend..hope he already doesn't have one!
Larry

I may have you beat. I'm so old that the Subaru Legacy I just traded in cost more than my first house!!!! Don't even consider the new Subaru!

Thanks for the tips. I'll add this to my list of things to look for. Incidentally, I love used book shops and now I have another excuse to do the circuit. Thanks again.
Larry

Thanks. Cheetahs are truly spectacular animals. your photos are much enjoyed.
Larry

Hello all,
Just a thank you for all who post identifications for birds, animals, plants; and a request for those who do not to do so if the info is available to them. I am located in Philadelphia, PA and as such, I am unfamiliar with a lot of the photo subject identification seen. Really great and beautiful photos and I would really appreciate having more information on subjects.
Thank you again.
Larry

"Take me to your leader!"
great shot ...love the expression!
Larry

How are we going to get the little guy down?

I just use purchased suet blocks and they disappear quickly in our backyard here in Philadelphia. We see mostly various sparrows, finches and occasional woodpeckers and other larger but unidentified birds. One bird that I chase when seen is the Starling.. nasty creatures!
Thanks though for the recipe for doing your own. I will have to try it, but will substitute hulled sunflower seeds....I used to fill feeder with black oil seeds but gave up when I had to clean up such mess from the planting beds.

Larry [HamBar06].

This is one beautiful cat. Nice photo. Actually, I think you should take your train of thought and write a book!!!