Jim

Just wanted to mention a few things liked and disliked in Sicily.<BR>Taormina is absolutely fabulous as good as everyone said it would be, with one exception, the food.<BR>I guess that as in Venice another city overrun by tourists,the cooks don't even try.<BR>The two places we enjoyed in Taormina were<BR>the inexpensive Il Ciclope right on the Corso Umberto and Luraleo on via Bagnoli Croce 27 for its antipasto buffet that<BR>was really good.<BR>If you are in Palermo a city we Loved,try finding a place in a quiet neighborhood<BR>which in Palermo might be a tough find.<BR>We stayed in a place called Hotel<BR>Joli which is conveniently located for attending the Teatro Politeama or Massimo.<BR>It was located on possibly the noisiest corner in the world and had a surly man serving breakfast that really annoyed the hell out of me. You'll find that in many smaller hotels in Sicily they don't do buffet breakfasts.<BR>I wouldn't recommend staying there.<BR>For dining in Palermo seek out Capricci Siciliani and Lo Scudiero both restaurants near the Politeama.<BR>If you haven't considered Sciacca as part of your trip to Sicily you're missing out on a nice town that was a surprise to us. We used it as a base for day trips to Agrigento and Selinunte,but just loved the town and will go back the next time we visit Sicily.<BR>Major dissapointments were the Greek theaters in Taormina and Siracusa. We had been to Tunisia prior to our arrival in Sicily and the theater ruins there although<BR>Roman,were so stunning that the ones in Sicily just don't compare. Make sure you see the ruins in Selinunte,Agrigento and the temple in Segesta they are something to behold.

Holly

Thanks for the notes. Have you decided what hotel you will stay at in Palermo on your next visit?

Jim

No I haven't but it won't be the Joli,that's for sure.

GAC

Finding a quiet hotel in central Palermo can be challenging. One excellent choice is the Hotel Massimo Plaza on Via Maqueda 437, opposite the Teatro Massimo(see my posting in the hotel section of this site). The rooms facing Via Maqueda can be noisy, but the rooms facing the alley in the back are not. What you give up in view you gain in quietness.

Holly

Thanks for the recommendation, GAC. Looks good.<BR><BR>Jim: Where did you stay in Sciacca? Do you know if the town is easily reachable by bus from Palermo, or would it entail a number of changes? OR is there a boat from Palermo (in April)?

Ken

My wife and I spent 7 nights at the Hotel Joli in May. The area is a very nice residential one and was very quiet every night. We were able to leave our windows open and had no trouble sleeping.<BR><BR>Breakfast was served to us cheerfully and there was no evidence of any surly behavior on the part of any staff. The food is abundant; all you have to do is ask for what you want.<BR><BR>I cannot account for the difference in our experiences but I can assure everyone that I would book again at the Joli without hesitation, especially after seing some of the alternatives. Of course, we reap what we sow.

Karen

jim,<BR><BR>where did you stay in Taormina??

GAC

Holly, there is indeed direct bus service from Palermo to Sciacca. The buses originate next to the Central Train Station in Palermo, and some also stop at Palermo's airport before taking the highway southbound. I believe the bus line is "Gallo", and that there are many buses Monday through Saturday, and somewhat fewer on Sundays. The trip takes less than two hour.

Holly

GAC, I knew you'd come through!

Jim

To Holly:<BR>In Sciacca we stayed at the Grand Hotel delle Terme which we loved.<BR>Make sure you get an ocean view room, the water is beautiful. Whatever you do don't get a room facing the park in back,teenagers hang out til late at night in the park making noise. To get some cool air you'll have to leave your window open and rely on a nice breeze. I discovered that in Sicily in many hotels the air conditioners aren't connected til the real summer heat starts. In Taormina we stayed at the Villa Fiorita, and also loved it Greta, one of the people that works there was wonderful to us. Say hi to her if you do stay there. We will without a doubt be staying there again on our next visit to Taormina.<BR>I don't think you were going to have a car on your visit,that's a good thing. It's not something you'll need. I mean for Taormina and vecinity.