adrienne

I’m booked on a tour of Sicily (in lieu of the Egypt trip I canceled). I hadn’t planned on seeing Sicily with a group as I know I’ll miss a lot of what I want to see, but that's the way things turned out.

One of the included tours is to Savoca. I’ve done a search and there are only a few references to this town. I’m not really interested in the Godfather theme of this day trip from Taormina so I’m wondering if the town itself is interesting or should I try to find someplace else to go that day on my own.

Any thoughts from folks who have been to Savoca?

Thanks!

thursdaysd

I loved my visit to Sicily (click on my name for my TR) but hadn't heard of Savoca. Can't recommend alternatives without knowing where else your tour goes. Which company?

adrienne

Hi thursdaysd - I have read your TR and loved it. We'll be based in Taormina for the second half of the trip so I'm thinking of interesting areas accessible from there other than Messina, Siracusa, or Etna.

I was thinking of renting a car for a couple of days but we'll be getting to Taormina late Friday and the car rental places are closed Saturday and Sunday. I could possibly rent a car for Monday and Tuesday but this trip to Savoca is on Tuesday thus I was wondering if it's a worthwhile outing or should I not go to Savoca and use the car to see Noto, et al. (depending on how much it would cost to rent for only 2 days).

I'm trying to figure out how to maximize my 4 days in Taormina.

Here's the trip itinerary:

http://www.gct.com/Trips/2011/Sicily...-Taormina.aspx

Frances

We found ourselves at a loose end in Taormina in days of heavy rain. We hadn't intended to go to Savoca but it was a case of trying to find somewhere to go so that we didn't spend any more time in the hotel.
This was our second visit to Taormina.
I think we were drawn there by the Godfather connection even though we are not big film fans.
The town is sweet to browse around , the location is nice but it was practically all residential and very few people around. There were a number of signs outside various buildings explaining their significance.
We went into the cafe featured in the Godfather which was very interesting. When we got home we bought the set of DVD's.
I would probably in your shoes strike out alone elsewhere.

thursdaysd

Hi adrienne - glad you liked the TR! Guess you figured out that I really liked Erice and Ortigia. In your place I'd try to visit Erice and Trapani from Palermo, and I might skip one night in Taormina and spend it in Ortigia instead. You might also check whether you can visit the Aeolian Islands as a day trip - I can't think of a good reason to go to Messina.

adrienne

Thanks. Great info. I have already checked into the Aeolian Islands as a day trip and it really can't be done from Taormina. There are limited boats in May and I would have to get to the port for a 7:00am boat. I can't see that happening.

I was going to do Messina as a day trip on my own as the tour company wants $80 for the optional tour but I'm taking your advice to skip it. That leaves me yet another day.

There is an optional tour to Siracusa for $65 but it sounded too rushed to see everything and to see Ortigya as well and to do it justice. This I could do via public transport from Taormina.

I was thinking about the overnight in Ortigya so I was pleased to see your opinion of that.

The other option was to rent a car and do an overnight to Noto, Ragusa, and Piazza Armerina. I don't think this area is easily explored with public transportation so a car is better.

We will be seeing Erice. It, too, is an optional tour but I thought this would be easier with the tour company rather than on my own. It's about the only optional tour I was planning to take as I know I can do the others on my own.

So...opinions please on the Baroque towns for 2 days or Siracusa/Ortigya for 2 days as trips from Taormina.

thursdaysd - I forgot to say how much I admire your photos! I tried to look at the ones from Sicily but you've locked them. Is it possible to send me the password so I can look at them again? My email is in my profile.

thursdaysd

adrienne - the password is usually just the name of the gallery in lower case. I still haven't got around to sorting and editing those pix...

I'm not a fan of baroque, although I did visit Noto by bus from Ortigia, so I would definitely go for the 2 days in Siracusa/Ortigia. Cheaper, too, as you don't need a car in Siracusa.

Before you sign up for the Erice tour check how long you get actually in Erice. You can take a bus from Palermo to Trapani and then a bus up to Erice from the same bus station (and I believe there's also some kind of cable car, although I didn't ride it).

Frances

And here is a vote for the baroque towns- I adored Ragusa where we stayed for 4 days.
However if you are accepting an overnight the absolute best choice would be the Aeolian Islands. Take the boat or hydrofoil to Lipari and overnight there. Its very nice! You could return via Volcano as the boat stops there but it didn't do it for me. To my mind it would really just be to say that you had been there.

adrienne

Hmmm..these are all great choices. As of now, I think I'll do Siracusa and Ortigya as it's the easiest and least expensive option and one that is conducive to one overnight.

I do love the Baroque and don't think one overnight will be enough for me. And because of the boat schedules in May the Aeolian Islands would need more than one overnight. I'll save the others for my next trip to Sicily when I'll have a rental car for longer and can get inland and see the towns leisurely and spend more time on the Islands.

Thanks for helping me make this choice!

I will look at the Erice tour again. From past experience, included tours never give you enough time to fully explore and inhale the ambiance of the towns. According to the tour itinerary, Trapani is not included and I would like to see it as well and both seem easily accessible by bus from Palermo.

So much to see! I'm sure that as soon as I get back I'll be planning my next trip to Sicily.

bon_voyage

Adrienne, if you wish, you might be able to have your cake and eat it, too, with your overnight on Ortigia. Noto (great granite at the Caffè Sicilia across from the cathedral) and the Villa Tellaro (small but lovely collection of Roman mosaics) are just about half an hour from Ortigia. Siracusa's archeological park was my least favorite of the ancient sites.

adrienne

Good idea, bon_voyage!

bon_voyage

Prego, Adrienne. Noto is apparently at it's best at sunset because of the way the light hits its buildings.