Sicily
Oct 31st, 2001, 04:19 PM
#3
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We recently were in Sicily and spent three days in Taormina, two days in Agrigento, and several days in the west in and around Trapani. We had a rental car and drove from place to place. <BR> <BR>It was an easy drive from Agrigento to Taormina. We left in the morning around 10:00 and reached Taormina around 2:00 with a couple of brief stops along the way. If you plan to visit the temples in Agrigento, you should allow 2 - 3 hours to enjoy the area. There is also an interesting museum near the temples. <BR> <BR>It will be a busy day to travel back and forth from Taormina. It is quite doable, but you might enjoy staying overnight in Agrigento and taking some of the rush out of the day. <BR> <BR>
Nov 2nd, 2001, 02:22 PM
#7
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K, when are you going? If it is nice warm weather you couldn't do better than to stay at Villa Athena at Agrigento. It is out from town right at the valley of the temples. We drove there, but never used our car, just walked to the sites there. Eating dinner out on their terrace under the stars at night with the temples lit up was a highlight of a very long and wonderful trip. There's really not much in the city of Agrigento, so this is one of the few places I enjoyed staying out from town. The Grand Hotel Timeo is a beautiful property. I didn't know they were actually refurbishing it, which I believe it needed. If the S. D. Palace is one of the hotels I think it is, it just sort of turned me off -- seemed like a bus tour hotel, but I could be wrong. We are delighted staying at the Villa Belvedere with its "faded glory". I would agree that renting a car for your trip from Taormina to Agrigento would be much better than train or bus combinations. <BR>
Nov 2nd, 2001, 03:34 PM
#9
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K - Our stay in Agrigento was at the Hotel Colleverde Park. We had a 3rd floor room (#326) overlooking the terrace and with a beautiful view of the temples from about 1 km. It was sensational at night on the terrace. <BR> <BR>The hotel was a kilometer to the temples, we drove rather than walk. Parking at the temples was easy. I don't know how to compare the hotel to the Villa Athena, but we were very satisfied with our stay. Rather than drive in, we took a taxi to go into Agrigento (15,000 lire) and enjoyed shopping in the central district. I think you will enjoy staying overnight rather than driving back to Taormina. <BR> <BR>We stayed at the Hotel Bel Soggiorno. It has a beautifu view of the sea and Mt. Etna. It was a bit inconvenient to get to the main area in Taormina - about 10 minute walk up a hill. However, the staff was very attentive, our room was good, and we enjoyed our stay. The San Domenico Palace is beautiful and is at a wonderful location in Taormina. You can't go wrong there. <BR> <BR>Let me know if you want more info. <BR> <BR>Bob
Nov 3rd, 2001, 08:27 AM
#10
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We are going in May 2002. In one of my lastest travel magazines I read that the Timeo had been restored to its former glory. I checked out the web sites for the Timeo and the San Domenico Palace. I must say I am more impressed with Timeo from the site, but all the raves seen to go to the San Domenico Palace. I tend to like lots of light and the rooms looked dark at the palace. I have also checked out the Hotel Colleverde Park hotel and it looked great too. I will follow suggestions to look into the Villa Athena and will choose one of those! Bob, thanks for the room #, many times that makes all the difference! I will return the favor by passing on my favorite room at Hotel Mueller in Hohenswangau, Germany. #10 was about $150 2 yrs. ago with a large terrace and you could lay in bed and look at Neuswanstein (sp) castle lit up at night. I keep track of room numbers in hotels I have enjoyed as you do. Thanks again You'all. K
Nov 3rd, 2001, 09:11 AM
#11
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Thanks Patrick and Bob! I think I will be staying at the Timeo and report back to everyone (the tour bus comment really scares me)and the Hotel Colleverde Park. If I can be of any help to you, please let me know. I am also staying at Le Sirenuse (have stayed there and at San Pietro and much prefer the Sirenuse) in Positano. I am trying to decide whether to stay at the Serbelloni in Bellagio or at the D'Este in Como (I stayed at the Splendid (sp) in Lugano before) It seems Bellagio is the better location, but the D'Este is the hotel experience. I plan to try La Residencia or the Hotel Son Net in Majorca and am still undecided in Barcelona. I don't want to stay at the Barcelona Hotel Arts - don't like modern high rises. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. This is my luxury hotel trip, but in cities like Barcelona, I tend to go moderate. Thanks. K
