Sicily in early May
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sicily in early May
We are looking to go to Sicilly in earlyl June with a 2 year old. I hear Taormina is the place to go. Any comments on this and recommendations of reasonablyl prices hotels?
#2
There have been a number of threads on Sicily recently - have you done a search?
Why are have you chosen Sicily? Taormina is only "the" place to go for more than a day if you are into very touristy places. Sicily has a great deal to offer in the way of Greek ruins, Roman and Byzantine mosaics, baroque architecture, interesting towns, scenery, food and general history and culture, but Taormina is not the best place to experience most of it. You may find my TR useful: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-sicily.cfm
Why are have you chosen Sicily? Taormina is only "the" place to go for more than a day if you are into very touristy places. Sicily has a great deal to offer in the way of Greek ruins, Roman and Byzantine mosaics, baroque architecture, interesting towns, scenery, food and general history and culture, but Taormina is not the best place to experience most of it. You may find my TR useful: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-sicily.cfm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've been to (mainland) Italy several times and have planned Sicily to be out next trip. We were taking our daugher, son in law and 2 year old grandson. The thought was that a beach area base was best. We are open for suggestions.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Are you looking for a beach holiday or do you want to see some of Sicily? You cannot see Sicily - not even eastern or western Sicily - from one base.
How long do you have?
Your title says early May; your text says early June. Early May is not beach (or even swimming pool) weather in Sicily.
How long do you have?
Your title says early May; your text says early June. Early May is not beach (or even swimming pool) weather in Sicily.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here is Sicily in May, including Taormina, but we had 15 days to see the island. You should base east or west--or both.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3828
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3828
#6
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We absolutely loved Sicily but wouldn't go there for the beaches. We enjoyed Taormina - it has beautiful vistas and lots to see. However, the beach is not great. You have to go from Taormina on a funicular down a steep grade and when you get to the beach it is quite narrow and unattractive. There is so much to see and do in Sicily, it seems a shame to go for a beach vacation. I'm sure there are nicer beaches than Taormina but we really didn't see anything. Our 8 days in the western part of the island, however, were full of amazing and beautiful sights.
#7
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,063
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In Europe go to Sardinia for beach holidays without any debate the best this side of Bermuda. Not quite the Turks and Caicos but up there. The beaches on Sicily are a long way short. I would not say that anyone goes to Taormina for the beach.
Also go to Sicily with an open mind it is a long way both geographically and culturally from Northern Italy. There is some stunning architecture and some not so stunning.
If you are set on Sicily and would like a beach consider Siracusa. It is a beautiful small city and culturally closest to the rest of Italy. It also has some good beaches just south and some very good beaches in the nature reserve at Vendicari.
Also go to Sicily with an open mind it is a long way both geographically and culturally from Northern Italy. There is some stunning architecture and some not so stunning.
If you are set on Sicily and would like a beach consider Siracusa. It is a beautiful small city and culturally closest to the rest of Italy. It also has some good beaches just south and some very good beaches in the nature reserve at Vendicari.
#9
I hardly go anywhere for beaches, so can't really comment on those in Sicily - so many other reasons to go there! But although I loved Ortigia (Siracusa) I think there may be more to see on the western side, in which case Cefalu might work as a base with a beach.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
your responses were very helpful. Yes we are from Florida1. I think we will rethink this and wait to go without the grandson so we can do a real "travel around Sicilly". Thinking about the beaches in Israel
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with mamcalice, don't go to Sicily just for the beaches, though there surely are few nice ones like San vito lo capo. To me the best thing to do in Sicily is to go visit some small original villages, such as Motta Camastra for example.
http://sicilyinyourpocket.com/messina/motta-camastra
Actually there isn't that much to do, just walking around and enjoying the sceneries and atmosphere. To me it was really amazing.
Personally I try to find always not so touristic locations.
http://sicilyinyourpocket.com/messina/motta-camastra
Actually there isn't that much to do, just walking around and enjoying the sceneries and atmosphere. To me it was really amazing.
Personally I try to find always not so touristic locations.
#12
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Some strange advise here on Sicily! Its a wonderful island, dont give up on it yet (Israel I am afraid is not comparable). Go and enjoy the people, the food, the climate, beaches and history. Pretty much anywhere you land up will be nice.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sicily (to me) is like Italy before the hordes of tourists discovered it and (to me) ruined it. Taormina is super touristy and is fine for a day or two but I cannot imagine spending the whole time there when the rest of Sicily is so fabulous!