Auscaz

My husband has a conference in Catania for three days and then a meeting in Milan a week later at the end of May/beginning of June. We have decided to take two weeks in total to travel around. Our travel plan will look something like this:

26 May: Leave Brisbane
29-31 May: Conference in Catania
4 June: Milan
6 June: Return to Australia

I have read the fantastic trip reports in regard to Sicily, but wondered whether we would be better off concentrating on another area, perhaps around Milan, if it is considered that we do not have enough time to do Sicily justice. If Sicily is a better option, should we base ourselves in Catania from 27th of May, or spend the first few days somewhere else and if so, where.

We are interested in everything that travelling has to offer - food, wine, history, shopping, markets etc. As we are used to driving on the other side of the road in Australia, would you still advise us to hire a car!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Auscaz

Sorry me again. Please forgive my stupidity, but how do I post this question in an Italy-specific forum? I am not used to asking questions although I have been following Fodors for a long time. Usually my queries are covered in one thread or another!

Thanks!

Bokhara2

Hi Auscaz,
To move to the "Italy" board, look on the RHS as you open up the "Europe" board and use the arrow to go down to "Italy". Then hit the "search" button & post when it comes up.

Can't help with your choice as I've not been to Catania or Sicily. Love Milan, though.

SicilianSailor

I would definitely stay in Sicily, there's so much to see and do, but with a week or two, you could do a few cities justice. If you arrive on the 27th, I would take a bus from Catania airport to Taormina (1 hour north) and spend a day or two there enjoying the theater and views of Mount Etna, then head to Catania for the conference, if you have a day before the conference, I would explore Mount Etna then be based out of Catania for the next few days. If you are not part of this conference, you could easily take daytrips to nearby cities to explore (Piazza Armenia, Siracusa, etc. all about an hour away from Catania). After the conference, I would move south to Siracusa and explore Ortigia. You could also continue on to explore Noto, Ragusa, Modica. I would suggest staying on the eastern portion of Sicily and saving the western part for later but I do love Agrigento so if you had extra time, I would head there and fly out of Palermo to Milan, if not fly out of Catania to Milan. You will find all the things you are interested in in eastern Sicily, good wine and food, fascinating history, great Greek ruins, fun morning markets. I would not rent a car, public transportation is excellent in Sicily and I think a rental car is more trouble than it's worth.

LoveItaly

hello Auscaz, actually the list of countries is for the search engine.

When you post on the Europe Board whether you click on Italy or not all posts go onto the Europe Board. The list of countries is for searching..which will usually work if there is an indication of the country in the title of the thread (as your title has). If someone types "Help" for example in their title one will not find it when clicking on any country as there is no indication of the country in their title.

Regarding your question, I have never been to Sicily. I do love the city of Milan and Northern Italy. So hopefully a Fodorite who is familar with Sicily as they are with Milan and Northern Italy can answer your questions. Wishing you a safe and comfortable flight and a wonderful time in Italy.

Scelesta

SICILY. Sicily is the scene for numerous greek myths, and to see it you understand immediately why. I have never seen anywhere so beautiful or majestic. The huge numbers of really well preserved greek ruins create a solid and awe inspiring link to the past. Also, knowing the ancient history and the myths can make the visit so meaningful.