Terry

We're hoping to honeymoon in Sicily in September. We've got the first three of our fourteen nights booked in Taormina, so now we're hoping for suggestions about places to visit and stay that people found interesting. We're especially looking for recommendations re the Aeolian Islands and Agrigento. Neither of us drive so advice from anyone who took the train would be welcome. <BR>Thank you!

frank

You asked about the train - Taormina is on a hillside, tends to be busy because it's quaint & has greek/roman theatres etc. <BR>At the bottom of the hill, is the train station & along from it Naxos.Please note that this station is gorgeous, a marvel. <BR> <BR>You will find Naxos mentioned in Thucidides (400bc) "history of the pelleponesian wars" in the part about the Sicilian expedition, somewhere around chapter 6 I think.It just a small seside town, quieter than Taormina. <BR> <BR>The greeks captured in this foray were enslaved in a quarry in Syracuse, next to the theatre you will probably visit. <BR> <BR>Sicily is surprisingly full of antique sites. <BR> <BR>Take the train to Catania (buzzing)& Syracuse(lovely habour, read about the battle in it in Thucidides), lots of other interesting places.Never been in Palermo, had mixed reports. <BR> <BR>Had some memorable conversations on the train! <BR>Every station was full of people meeting friends joyfully or parting tearfully. <BR>Use the train,its a highlight.Go up Mount Etna, the volcano is still very active! <BR>(you need to be fit & have a jacket)

richard j vicek

Good afternoon, Terry <BR>In any trip to Sicily, would definately <BR>include a couple of days in Palermo, <BR>taking in also Monreale, Segusta <BR>and Selinunte the Villa Casale at Pza <BR>Armerina and the Parco Archeologico <BR>in Siracusa and its Ortigia, a day or two here is a good investment. <BR>Rail service in Sicily has one set of <BR>tracks leading south from Messina to <BR>Catania and Siracuse. From Termini <BR>Immerese the rails head south to <BR>Agrigentl and from TI west to Palermo. <BR>Limited rail runs west of Palermo. <BR>There is also overnite ferry service <BR>between Palermo and Napoli. <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, Il...

Mimi

My husband I and spent last September in Sicily (our second visit in a year and a half). Taormina is quite beautiful and easily our favorite in all of Sicily (although it can get a little touristy). The first time we stayed in Pensionne Svitzera - very central, clean, inexpensive ($54/night with breakfast) and with a great view! When we tried to book it for our second visit - it was filled and we were referred to Villa Schuler. It was fantastic - the most beautiful views of the sea, palm treed terrace, huge rooms and a spectacular garden. I highly recommend it. Take the cable car down to the beaches, for $10 you can rent two lounge chairs and an umbrella. Swimming is excellent. We went to Lipari, one of the Aeolian Islands. The Penssione we stayed in was called "Enzo il Negro." It had been written up in the NY Times. Very central, clean and inexpensive ($40 per night with continental breakfast). It's fun to take a quick side trip to Vulcano (bring some old bathing suits so you can have a "sulfur bath." You'll need to throw away the suits afterwards. This past year we also went to the islands off of Trapani. From Trapani it is a short ferry ride (25 minutes) to Famigiana. We were sorry that we hadn't stayed there at least one night. Famigiana has a Morrocan feel to it. And it's small enough to get around on a motor scooter or bike. It was a delightful island with lovely beaches (various shades of brilliant blue water).We had rented rooms in Trapani and were slightly disappointed although Trapani is a wonderful city to use as a base to travel to Erice, and especially to Segesta (a regular bus ride of one hour). I would highly recommend going west of Palermo to San Vito lo Capo (also a short bus ride from Trapani). It's in the upper northwest corner of Sicily. It is quieter in September and you should easily find lodgings. Also, don't miss Cefalu. It's about one hour east of Palermo and you can walk from the train to most lodgings. Great beach, terrific food. We loved Sicily and hope you enjoy it also. Please feel free to write if you have questions. And yes, we traveled by train, bus, and boats. Sicily is easily traveled. Words of advice: Pack light! Enjoy!

Terry

Thank you all for your very informative and thoughtful replies. I can't wait for September now!

Theresa

I always thought the island of Marettimo was a great place for honeymooners. Not much to distract you from each other, and isnt that the point of a honeymoon? A diver's paradize, walker's paradise ( mountain and clear blue sea) rent a fisherman's house. Peace and tranquility and great natural beauty and white beaches, some reachable only by boat, which you can hire to drop you off and pick you later. For pix of its sister island, see www.theresamaggio.com. Also there are Sicily links there. <BR>Most romantic town in Sicily: Polizzi Generosa in the Madonie Mountains. A single pensione in town, with three rooms. More agriturismo ( farm stays, sort of) just outside of town, in centuries old grain mill buildings, medieval really. See my NYT archived article on my three favorite hill towns in Sicily.

lina

The Aeolian Islands are wonderful. For a list of lodgings with websites, check www.netnet.it/dovedormire.html

Terry

I posted this message months ago and I just wanted to thank you all for your help. My husband (! still sounds strange) and I had the most wonderful time in Taormina, Lipari and Cefalu (with side trips to Stromboli, Palermo and Catania). The sun shone, the food was delicious (I'm trying to lose the 7 pounds that I gained!), the people were charming and our accommodation worked out just fine. We had great fun using the train (and the station at Giardini Naxos is indeed a gem) - especially the journey from Termini Immerese to Catania, across the island. Now, we're saving our money to return soon. Thank you all for your help.