alison

Thanks to everyone who gave advice on my planning thread. This is now my tweaking thread!

I really thought the itinerary mwas set for end of May. But one part always bothered me -- the night in piazza Armerina. So now I am trying to work in a night in Modica instead.
Current itinerary:

3 nights Palermo

1 night scopello ( for Erice, Zingaro and Segesta)

3 nights villa sogno in selinunte for relaxation, ruins and day excursions TBD -- e.g., sciacca, Mozarro, Mozia, possible wine or olive oil tastings

Drive to Piazza Armerina to see mosaics, staying 1 night at villa clementine -- either visit caltagirone that day or next morning on way to siracusa.

4 nights Ortigia

POSSIBLE ITINERARY CHANGE: on the day we see the mosaics at Villa Romana, also see caltagirone if we have time, but spend night in Modica instead of piazza Armerina. We weren't keen on evening in piazza Armerina and -- even though this makes for a long driving day -- this way we can see Modica by night and the next morning. That would give us at least a more in- depth experience in Modica which, if we do as day trip from ortigia, puts us there mostly during the mid-day closing.

And if we missed catalgirone the previous day we could backtrack and see caltagirone "on way" to siracusa (although then we would be in catalgirone for mid-day closing,although I heard some ceramics shops remain open)

Either way we realize we would have luggage in the car when we stop at catalgirone.

And the reason we don't want to just add a night in Modica and reduce our four nights in ortigia is that we really don't want one more hotel stay.

IF WE CHANGE TO SPEND NIGHT IN MODICA:

I have dutifully read the threads and reviews about various hotel options. But am still confused about locations and map hard to read. Palazzo Failla sounds lovely and offers valet parking ( at least I read that somewhere) but the location does not appear as central for walking around and with such a short visit we want easy in and out, parking and good location.

Il Cavalliere has great reviews and location, but no terrace. Magnolie and Le Leumie are other possibilities and have terraces -- but Le Leumie is more expensive, although still reasonable. Casa Talia is much more expensive and a restrictive cancellation policy. I have read all the reviews on TA and booking.com, but appreciate any comments especially if I am missing something about location. I realize it would only be for one night!

So, appreciate input on the possible itinerary change, especially about that long driving day from selinunte to Modica via piazza Armerina, as well as possibilities for Modica itself.

Thank you in advance for input and advice.

kja

FWIW, when I visited Caltagirone, I missed the hours during which the museum was open. I was able to enter the church, and I thoroughly enjoyed several hours strolling around the town and admiring its many public ceramics.

I'm sure I would have enjoyed a visit to the museum, but I didn't feel that I had given up an essential option. For context, I'm not an avid fan of ceramics, and those who are might disagree.

Enjoy!

Leely2

We drove to Piazza Armerina from Modica; we were staying in Modica, so drove back that evening too. For me it would be too much driving to go from Selinunte to PA then to Modica via Caltagirone. What times does viamichelin show for the drives?

We stayed at Casa Talia and loved it, but I think any of your choices would be good. Modica is a lot of up-and-down walking; that's part of its charm. There is an excellent, Michelin-starred restaurant in Palazzo Failla, but it doesn't sound as if you'd have enough time to dine there. I'd choose the hotel that suits your budget.

Sicily's tough: too many great places to see!

Leely2

How about cutting a night in Ortigia and spending two nights in Modica?

alison

Thanks for the advice. Seems like a consensus here and on TA that it would be too much driving from selinunte to PA and catalgirone ending in Modica.
But Vagabonda on TA had idea to drive from selinunte to Modica, see Modica that day, and visit PA and caltagirone as a day trip as leely2 suggested. Also with 2 nites Modica as Leely2 suggested, with one fewer night in ortigia.
Leery, how did the day trip work for you?
Any others want to weigh in? I am getting great options.
Thx.

Leely2

The day trip to PA from Modica worked great for us. We would have had time to go to Caltagirone--in fact, we got lost in it on the way back to Modica after seeing the mosaics--but we elected to have a lazy morning that day and didn't get out and about until at least 11 (maybe later!).