You'll not go along any part of the coast? We would have at the most 2 1/2 months in Schengen countries so should be all good. But as always appreciate the heads up when there is information that we might not be aware of.

Another thought on the unpublished part of your tour. We’re you planning on biking through Croatia? We’re you aware that it is joining the Schengen Zone on New Years Day? I’m sure it’s good for them, but we’re sorry to see it for selfish reasons. We were hoping to go back again someday and use it to stretch our time in Western Europe.

Excellent, and then we will be home June 18th, you're invited to come visit us in Boise

It’s a three part itinerary, each about a month long. We fly in to Palermo and bike to Scilla, just across the strait from Messina. Then we’re going to catch the train to Cosenza and bike across Basilicata and Puglia, ending in Termoli. Then on the train again, north up the coast to Pesaro. From there we’ll make a horseshoe north to Trento and then back south again to Bologna for the flight home on June 13.

What is your over all plan after Sicily and boot of Italy?

Fantastic, we'll check out the suggestions, keep them coming. And for sure we need to keep locations of each other, would absolutely love that we finally meet on the road.

We’ll have to keep tabs on you then, as conceivably we could cross paths somewhere. We start in Palermo on 3/16 and leave Sicily at Messina on about 4/20. After that we’ll spend about four weeks crossing Basilicata and Puglia. With our frequent multi-night stays I’m sure you’ll overtake us somewhere along the way.

And one more suggestion since you invited it, that I was thinking of over dinner. It’s a much hillier crossing, but I’d go further north crossing Basilicata rather than staying so close to the sea - maybe through Pollino National Park. The interior of Basilicata is exceptional.

To answer when to be in Italy more specifically, ferry to Barcelona April 1st and a day there, Ferry to Porto Torres Sardinia, 5 days there and ferry to Palermo. Thanks for the suggestions and open to more!

Hi Scott and Rachael
That's our dilemma, too much to see and so little time this time.
We plan 6 weeks in Morocco starting Feb 15th. So that places us in trying to get across to Albania starting April 1. We need to be in Holland at least a week before we fly home June 18th.
Patrick wanted to cycle some of the area close to Holland that he did growing up. However, we also want to see more of the Balkan countries. So that is why this is option 1, the original plan to then cycle directly from Durres Albania to Holland. Now we are thinking we'd rather take more time in the Balkans, get to Vienna and take the night train to Brussels.

Just a few thoughts. I’d bike around the north side of Etna through Randazzo rather than through Catania. Very scenic, much quieter. Also, if you can fit it in I’d go through Tropea on your way up the Calabrian coast.

Roughly when do you expect to be in Sicily, Basilicata and Puglia?

Thanks Rachael, definitely different styles. But I can't complain as Patrick does a good job of getting us on the road with what we need.
Rachel

Thanks Mike

The big challenge is over the Atlas Mountains, but then we are not part of the REM club (Ride Every Mile) and may be depended upon the weather. We are still working out our time in Italy, would be great if being in Sicily coincided.

That is one of the most comprehensive lists that I have seen.
Also good that you are using RideWithGPS.

I love your description of your different packing styles and can definitely relate to it.