dina4

Our one week in Sicily itinerary is finally set for the last week in June -- flights arranged, hotels booked, car rented! Thanks to everyone for the planning advice!

2 nights in Taormina
2 nights in Panarea
2 nights at Locanda COS winery near Ragusa
1 night in Siracusa

Now a few questions...

1. For our full day in the Ragusa area -- should we visit Ragusa or Modica? And we'd like to spend some time at a nice beach -- not too crowded, but with facilities/food.

2. I do need a recommendation for where to stop for lunch one day -- we arrive in Milazzo (from Panarea) at noon and will drive south to Piazza Armerina to see the Villa Romana de Casale on our way to COS. I had hoped to eat lunch at Al Fugher near there, but I realize it's 2.5 hours from Milazzo! So will be starved by 2:30... Not sure if we should get something in Milazzo? Or stop somewhere else on the way...
Also -- there seem to be two routes -- going west thru Cefalu and east thru Messina. The western route takes about 20 min longer, but would be worth if there's an interesting stop for lunch -- maybe Cefalu?

3. please let me know your NOT TO BE MISSED activities or restaurants. Food is especially important.

Thanks a million!
Dina

dina4

oh i was really hoping especially for some answers to #2 and #1... (#3 too, of course)

Dayle

Hi Dina,

I can only sympathize with you about the difficulty of making choices!

When it comes to the baroque towns, I am staying in Scicli for 2 nights. Once I'm there, I will decide if I need a day trip to either Ragusa or Modica. I may just end up staying put, because I understand Scicli is pretty special itself!

Happy planning. I know you have checked out the Sicily forum on the other website too.

Buon viaggio!

bon_voyage

Looking at the Locanda COS on Tripadvisor, it appears to be very close to Ragusa Ibla so perhaps you could have your cake and eat it, too. We stayed in Modica and day tripped to Ragusa Ibla which is very pretty but felt more like a stage set in comparison to lively Modica. It appeared that most people live in the newer part of Ragusa while the primary tourist sites are in Ibla. Two or three hours sufficed for our visit to RI, and, although we happily spent four nights in Modica, I think you could get a feel for it in an afternoon. You'll be near the water in Panarea, Siracusa, and Taormina, but, if you really want beach time during your stay at the winery, I think it would be easier to combine that with Ragusa Ibla.

bon_voyage

I just took a look at the Locanda's website and saw that it's actually 32 km from Ragusa. And FYI, that squiggly bit of red road going west toward Comiso is high and windy.

dina4

Dayle -- i can't wait to hear about your trip. i know you're leaving soon, right? buon viaggio!!

bon voyage --
that is a very interesting comparison of ragusa ibla and modica. thanks so much for your input! according to google maps, it appears to be a 45 min drive to Ragusa or Modica. we were thinking to visit one or the other for the morning and then have a nice lunch.
--you're right about not really needing the beach considering the rest of the itinerary, and i thought the same thing, so perhaps you're right. i was just thinking that time of year is so hot and it might be so nice to dip in the sea in the late afternoon... but there is a pool at the winery.

Ian

It would be a 45 minute exciting drive. As b_v said, the squiggly bit is actually 2 narrow lanes of switch-backs with a stone wall on one side & a rock wall on the other . . with a 2 foot shoulder . . . at best. And I also agree with b_v re Modica/Ragusa. Modica was real & Ragusa was a beautified facade.

Oh . . . and most restaurants will be closed at 2:30 . . .

Ian

dina4

yes, so we need to eat somewhere closer to milazzo on that day driving down to the ragusa area. i was thinking cefalu, since it gets so many ravings, for lunch?

thoughts?

Ian

It's a travel day, so I would personally skip a prolonged lunch stop anywhere. Plan ahead & get some cold cuts, cheese & Italian bread & have a picnic at some scenic site along the way. Maybe your hotel can fix a picnic for you.

Ian

dina4

that's a great idea.

wondering if cefalu is worth a stop, though... then we'll get to SEE cefalu and have lunch.

Ian

Google maps et al is great but the reality of Sicily is that every drive will take longer than you think. The multi-lane highways are fast but as soon as you dip into the 2 lane roads or transverse a hill town or two, your timing will go out the window.

So . . . looking at your Cefalu idea, you would be sitting down around 2 . . . that puts PA around 4;30 at best . . . your accommodations between 7 & 8 . . . a long day that might end up with a night drive over unfamiliar roads with Sicilian drivers . . .

Ian

dina4

Good point. It seems like we would have to choose between a stop in Cefalu or PA. I didn't realize Cefalu was so far from Milazzo. Maybe the picnic idea is best.

Ian, do you think the western route is more scenic than the eastern route? We will have already driven the route through Messina on our way to Mlazzo from Taormina.

ThAnks so much for all your insights. I really appreciate your help!

Ian

I can't help because I only drove as far as Taormina in the east. We took the southerly route & ended up in Palermo in the west. The Roman villa with the mosaics is in the country west of PA. Since you hit the road with the day 1/2 over, I would probably opt for the most direct route. If time allowed after PA, you could visit Caltagirone & it's mosaic stairs (lined with vendors selling mosaics of course), which is not too much of a detour.

You can read my adventures there/back from Modica on Day 11:

http://members.rennlist.org/imcarthur/modica.htm

Ian

dina4

Ian - i just read through your blog and loved it. thanks so much for all the info!

Ian

I am glad that you enjoyed it. Your itinerary has you moving pretty fast, so my best advice would be to try to see less & enjoy what you can see more. It is a stunning part of the world.

Ian

dina4

i know.
we have a whole week in one place on a greek island before we hit sicily, so we'll be well-rested and ready to go!

Ian

Got it. You will have a blast. A hint: Ragusa is best viewed from the outside (outbound SS115 works nicely) & Modica is best from the the main street (Corso Umberto).

Ian

dina4

Grazie mille.