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Italy: Sicily; Must Stay Places? Must See Places? Must Eat Places (Vegetarian)?

Italy: Sicily; Must Stay Places? Must See Places? Must Eat Places (Vegetarian)?

Old Jul 31st, 2008, 09:33 AM
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Italy: Sicily; Must Stay Places? Must See Places? Must Eat Places (Vegetarian)?

My wife and I will visit Sicily for 16 days in Oct. We have found a great B&B place in Siracusa over hanging the water for the second week.

But we start in Palermo a week before that and will be driving. I like the coast and adventure activities. My wife prefers five star resorts and umbrella drinks. We both love antiquities so at least I will see her then.

Any places we can't miss, sleep, or eat (vegetarian) would be appreciated. Thanks
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 09:43 AM
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In Siracusa, we did a self-guided historical walking tour of the old city, then took the bus out to the Archeological Park and the Teardrop Chucrch.

We went into a a gift shop to make sure the bus back stopped nearby. We asked if anyone spoke English, which one woman did--but it was a different woman who took us outside and went over the map with us--she pointed our several things to us in Italian, and I think she told us that all the buses stopped on the main street, comparing it to "all roads lead to Rome" at which she (and we) laughed.
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 09:51 AM
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There is a tremendous amout in Sicilia that qualifies as must sees, and any guidebook will point them out to you. Since you are headed to Siracusa, you might consider spending time in the 'baroque towns' roughly around Ragusa. Beyond Palermo, five star resorts might be hard to come by without heading to the Aeolian islands or Taormina. But you can find some beautiful agriturismos. Check out this place:

http://www.anapama.it/

One place you might try out for adventure is Sant'Angelo Muxaro, near Agrigento.

http://sicilia.indettaglio.it/eng/co...elomuxaro.html

You should do fairly well as vegetarians. You might especially enjoy almond granitias, and exquisite Italian baked goods. Fried rice balls -- arancini -- sometimes have meat in them as well as cheese, so ask.
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 09:54 AM
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This is a better website for Sant'Angelo Muxaro

http://www.valdikam.it/en/valdikam.htm
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 10:25 AM
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James would you please tell us about the B&B in Siracusa..thanks!
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 10:40 AM
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I'm vegetarian and visited Sicily (east coast) 2 years ago. You shouldn't have any trouble finding vegetarian food - and you should be able to find incredibly delicious vegetarian food. I've been to a few other parts of Italy and Paris, and Sicily, by far, had the best food. Yum
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 10:54 AM
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If being vegetarian includes eating fish you will be in seventh heaven...if not, then you'll have to settle for sixth heaven only!

I am assuming your Siracusa place is in Ortigia? if that is the case then just tuck yourself into this charming community and find a good ristorante along the port-side and enjoy. Our daughter has to eat gluten free (she is celiac). If you have enough Italian to explain the situation, you will find, as we did, that the wait staff are very accomodating. Get someone to write it out for you, if you are really concerned about vegetables that might be braised in chicken stock or other "hidden" meat contact.

Then, if you can make a side-trip from there to Noto, do so and stop in at the amazing bakeries there: the town is very proud of its almond and pistachio-paste based goodies and rightfully so.There is also a lot of baroque architecture that is very interesting and the local ceramics are the best we found in Sicily-very subtle.

In Siracusa, visit The Ear and the excellently preserved teatro and surrounding ruins.

There are beaches down the coast there that you will find are practically deserted by October, though if you have experiences with east coast US beaches in August your will find the water is about the same. Fun for a vegetarian picnic.

Have a marvelous time!
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 11:17 AM
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Also see http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=35146872 for itinerary suggestions.

Which B&B in Siracusa? I stayed at the Sea View Ortigia and really liked it. Not sure whether they will do vegetarian but I had really good meals at Il Fermento (Via del Crocifisso, 46) and Oinos (www.ristoranteoinos.com).
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 11:37 AM
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I also like the Sea View in Ortygia, which was very quiet and special, since it is actually an apartment in town. It should be noted that the sea view includes the major parking structure, so it's not like being in Taormina. But I thought it was more fun, and the family proprietors could not have sweeter. We received a voucher for breakfast to a local cafe, and the breakfast pastry I had there, filled with fresh, warm ricotta, lives in my mind as a revelation about breakfast pastries everywhere. Lovely B&B and I'd go back anytime.
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 12:40 PM
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ekscrunchy,

Here is our B&B in Siracusa:

http://www.giuggiulena.it/uk/

It appears to be to the North East of the older part of town. But just look at the photos of the exterior and the breakfast. My wife is very excited about the cake. She says it is a special cake, sorry I don't remember the name.

Sabrina speaks English, French, Italian and I think German, she sounds very kind.

Zeppole,

Thanks for the the always good suggestions. On another thread you mentioned a vegetarian restaurant in Milan near the Duomo that caused you to move to Italy. Is it still there?
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 12:54 PM
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That B&B will have great views OF Ortigia, but it's not ON Ortigia. Lonely Planet says of a restaurant a little further up the same street that it's in a very inconvenient location. Will you have a car?
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 01:46 PM
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I assume it's still there:

Alla Vecchia Latteria
via Unione, 6

It's not far from the Duomo, in the direction of the Spadari hotel and Peck (meaning, not in the direction of the Galleria and La Scala. Walk the other way in the piazza).


http://www.flickr.com/photos/realityfood/478726466/
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 01:49 PM
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regarding your B&B the location might be better than staying in Ortygia if you have a car, because getting in and out of Ortygia with a car is a pain. It looks like you might be able to take a boat to Ortygia (fun!) or surely there is a bus -- but why am I saying surely? This is Italy.

Ask if there is a bus.
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 02:19 PM
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We will have a car for our trip in Sicily but I have already located a couple of scooter rental places in Siracusa. The perfect urban/city vehicles.

Zeppole;

That food in Milan looks great. We will check it out next time we are in Milan.

Have you ever tried the Lemon Creme Sauce Pasta in Italy? We had it in Rome last year and have been making it ever since. Sounds like it wouldn't work but turns out it is perfect in the summer months.
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 02:25 PM
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Zeppole;

I looked at your photo google page for your Golfo Paradiso. We looked in Menton and Ventimiglia for a couple of years but couldn't find the right place. Should have looked on the other side of Genova by you for a bit of Paradise. Nice pick. Certainly a bit quieter than New York City.
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Old Jul 31st, 2008, 02:41 PM
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I've had some lemon sauces in the Amalfi that were great. I have to admit, when I cook pasta in Liguria, I sometimes just put lemon and parsely all over it. And olive oil. My idea of gourmet cooking.

I don't think you will want a scooter in Sicily. Maybe a tank. It's much different than driving in other parts of Italy (except maybe Napoli). People really don't look at you or oncoming traffic. They just move into a space. You're on your own.
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