Sicily in May 2015 Itinerary Question

Old Oct 28th, 2014, 09:27 AM
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Sicily in May 2015 Itinerary Question

Hello. This forum has been helpful before so hope you have time to share again. Two of us are planning on approx. 2 weeks in mid-May 2015 to Sicily. Our first time. Based on research both on this forum and at the library, the following seems like a good itinerary. We are not really beach people nor into the Baroque all that much. However, very interested in archaeology, stunning views, history, real villages and good food. Would appreciate your feedback on our plans and also any recommendation for where to best fit in a possible day trip or overnight to one or more of the islands. Thanks in advance.
Day 1: Arrive in Palermo, overnight Palermo
Day 2: Bus to Monreale, back to Palermo and overnight
Day 3: Pick up car and drive to Erice and Segesta, arrive Agrigento in evening and overnight
Day 4: Explore Agrigento area and overnight
Day 5: Drive to Piazza Amerina. Continue to Syracuse and overnight
Day 6, 7, 8: Syracuse with short local day trip possibilities (recommendations?)
Day 9: Drive to Taormina. Overnight
Day 10: Taormina
Day 11: Depart from Catania

We have an option to extend this by a few more nights if so desired.Thanks again.
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Old Oct 28th, 2014, 03:44 PM
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I like it---good use of time.
WE did the reverse, but it works both ways.

Click on my name above to find my trip report.
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Old Oct 28th, 2014, 03:57 PM
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In general, I think it looks good, but you might consider trying to give Palermo more time -- up to 2 days more. If you can't extend your time, I'm not sure what to skip -- perhaps Taormina? If you really want to see the views from Taormina (and they spectacular) and you have a car, you could stop there on the way from Syracusa to Catania.

And much as I loved Syracusa (do stay in Ortygia), you can probably do with one day less there.

May is a wonderful time to enjoy Sicily and it is a great destination - enjoy!
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Old Oct 28th, 2014, 06:26 PM
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Bobthenavigator -- Fabulous trip report with wonderful suggestions. Thanks very much. Kja. Will definitely look into Ortigia. Hotel recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.
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Old Oct 28th, 2014, 07:25 PM
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In Ortygia, I was very pleased with L'Approdo dell Sirene:
http://www.apprododellesirene.com
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Old Oct 29th, 2014, 06:28 PM
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AMV,


Bob, kja, aprilliacs and Leely2 were all very helpful to me as I planned, got delayed and planned again. I finally made it to Sicily mid-April 2013. Be sure to read my trip report and those of the above posters. They will be very valuable in helping you design an itinerary for your interests.

My own trip was 3 1/2 weeks and still, it wasn't enough!

Sicily is fantastic and the Sicilian people lovely.

Buon viaggio
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Old Oct 29th, 2014, 11:35 PM
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You might want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it.
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 01:55 AM
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Day 3 & Day 5 will be busy days. Doable but busy since driving in Sicily always takes longer than you would think. On Day 5, I would suggest at least an overnight in Ragusa or Modica before continuing on to Siracusa.

Ian
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 04:37 PM
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Thank you all for the very helpful feedback and for the pleasure of reading these delightful trip reports. Much better than any guidebook! Great input on where to stay (or not) and routes to take. Mille Grazie!
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Old Oct 30th, 2014, 05:28 PM
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Oh, also thursdayd - her trip report was also very helpful to me. She traveled solo and did a R. Steves tour for part of Sicily.
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Old Oct 31st, 2014, 05:08 AM
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I really like your itinerary. We did exactly the same trip in 2008 but spent 4 days in Palermo. I recommend at least one more full day than you have planned in Palermo, perhaps taking a day from Siracusa/Ortygia. We loved Taormina with its incredible views.
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Old Oct 31st, 2014, 06:34 AM
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Now admittedly, we went to Palermo at the end of our Sicilian jaunt - click my name for my report from 2009 or go to http://imcarthur.weebly.com/sicily.html for the picture version - but we strongly disliked it. We much preferred the hilltop towns, the amazing rural vistas, the ruins . . . and many more things - but NOT the cities.

Ian
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Old Oct 31st, 2014, 03:40 PM
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Spectacular pictures and trip report. Great driving tips. Thank you!
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