spinch

How difficult would it be to do a day trip to Agrigento from Taormina/Catania/Siracusa? Unfortunately, we don't have enough days in Sicily...
We've booked two nights in Taormina, two nights in Siracusa, and our last night is in Catania. I would really love to see the temples, but I'm afraid we don't have time.

galaxygrrl200

The temples are totally worth seeing. It's doable but it will be a lot of driving. I would easily give up a day in Taomina to do it.

spinch

Thanks- how long of a drive would it be from Taormina? Car or bus? I don't know if I can talk my husband into taking a day away from Taormina, but I can try!

galaxygrrl200

Taormina is really not that special. There is a nice theater and a nice little town. It's really a day. Mt Enta would be another day if you like that.

Here is a map for you

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl...e=UTF8&z=9

It says is about a 2.5 hour drive.

I would rent a car just because it would be faster.

Catania is closer to the temples by about 45 min to an hour.

I did not think Catania was special. I would do Agrigento over Catania too. And i would actually do two days in Taormina and see Mt Enta and just blow off Catania

For me the highlights of Sicily where in order were
- Agrigento
- Sicacusa
- Aeolian Islands (I'm not sure why people don't talk about those islands on this board)

Anyway, the temples are cool. Good luck!

travel2live2

I'm with Galaxygirl. I, too, do not think that Taormina or Catania are all that fabulous and in my views there are so much better places to see in Sicily, including the temples at Agrigento. They are truly unique and amongst the best temples in the world.

Not enough people discuss Erice, Cefalu, Segesta, etc. on this board either!

willit

I agree that the temples at Agrigento are excellent, but I far preferred Selinunte (an hours drive to the west) and Paestum (on the mainland near Salerno).

And may I add Piazza Armerina to the "not discussed enough" list

galaxygrrl200

I so agree with Piazza Armerina on the "not discussed list." It's so cool. I kinda of stumbled across it when I was there, and I'm so glad I did.

I don't understand why everyone is so focused on Taormina actually. Nice, cute town with awesome, awesome views, but that is it. ANd it's soooo crowded in the summertime.

So, not to hijack this thread (sorry spinch), but I'm going back to Sicily in a month and I did not make it to Selinunte, it sounds like it worth going to. Is it that different from Agrigento?

Spinch, just know you will have a wonderful time whereever you go and to see everything is Sicily you need 10 or so days, so just make sure to do what you are excited about. ;-)

thit_cho

You will have to drive. I used public transport to travel from Agrigento to Piazza Armerina (to see the mosaics) and then another bus to Catania -- it was a full day trip, but I spent a lot of time at the Roman villa.

I agree with the others on Taormina -- I visited as a day trip from Catania, mostly to ride the train around the volcano -- and didn't find Taormina that fascinating. I much preferred Siracusa and Catania, which seem like real places.

travel2live2

Villa Romana del Casale (the mosaics) is really interesting. I understand that it is undergoing renovations at present but that only one or two rooms are closed at a time.

Agree with Selinunte as well. See? Sicily is jam-packed with things to do and see - you'll just have to return!

spinch

Thanks for all of the input. Unfortunately we have to spend the night in Catania, because our flight leaves from there the next morning. I wanted to go to Piazza Armerina also, but if it's a choice between Agrigento and Piazza Armerina I think I'd rather see the temples. I know that 5 days isn't enough to do Sicily justice, but that's all we have for this trip. Off to Athens the next day....
So on that note, how does this sound?
Day one: train/bus to Taormina
Day two: rent car/drive to Agrigento, spend the night
Day three: drive to Siracusa, stay in Ortigia 2 nights.
Day five: drive to Catania.
Day six: fly away.....sniff sniff.
Hopefully someday we'll be back...

galaxygrrl200

The temples in Agrigento are in a national park and there is a hotel in the park. I stayed at the hotel. Now it's an average hotel in an awesome location. The reviews here are mixed.

I booked at the last min. Got a room with a view of the temple and my friend and i ate dinner, watched the sunset, watched the lights go on around the temple, and thought it was amazing.

If you can get a room with a view, it's so worth it. I would just make sure to make a reservation and eat diner there if you can't get a room with a view.

Here is the website http://www.athenahotels.com/villathena/eng/home.php

And as long as we are doing the hotel thing. The best place i have ever stayed was in Taromina.

http://www.villaducale.com/en/index.htm It's pricey though. I was not as bad 10 years ago when i was there. (just read the reviews on this site though, everyone loves it)

spinch

We already have a room in Taormina for two nights (will have to cancel one if we go to Agrigento), at the Hotel Elios.
Do you remember the cost of the Athena Hotel? They don't have it listed on their website. We're kind of on a budget and are trying not to spend more than 90 euros a night while in Sicily.
Thanks for your help galaxy grrl!

galaxygrrl200

I think it was more than that. Just make eat dinner there then.

happy travels

txtree

I think this itinerary could make sense (and if you get an early start, you can see Piazza Armerina on your way to Agrigento). But I'd suggest that rather than staying 2 nights in Siracusa (Ortygia) you spend one night in Ragusa or Noto, and one night Siracusa. It is a lot of one-nighters, which I would normally counsel against, but Sicily is the kind of place that warrants it.

baldrick

It all depends on your interests, but not having enough days and spending them in the wrong places...

First of all, with only 5 days, you need a car to get around.
Personally, besides the theatre in Taormina, I found Taormina extremely disappointing. With only 5 days in Sicily, it shouldn't come into consideration for a night's stay.
I presume your last night is in Catania because your flight leaves from there. You could also stay in Siracusa, it is only a 50 min drive to the airport.

I would do the following:
- arrival, car to Agrigento, 2 nights in Agrigento
- 3 nights in Siracusa, with a day trip to Piazza Armeria and Noto.

galaxygrrl200

that is a good idea.

You could also do

- arrival, car to Piazza Armeria. Continue to
Agrigento and arrive very late. 2 nights in Agrigento

- 2 nights in Siracusa,

- 1 night taromia (since it's close to Catania)

Fly out.

Wow, poor taromina has been beaten up. It's a nice place, but really, it's all about the view. If you don't have a place with a view, it's just a touristy town with a nice Roman theater

spinch

Oh well. So much for Agrigento this trip. My husband doesn't want to get to Sicily and immediately get in a car and drive for hours after spending 16 hours in airplanes/airports- I can't say that I blame him. We'll have to go back when we can spend more time there.
Thanks for all of the help!