Thanks to the board members who have replied to my Sicily postings this weekend. I have the itinerary set, just need to make up our minds on hotels. Any advice would be appreciated. Budget is 150 - 275 euros. I realize some are more expensive than others are. We do not mind staying at the less expensive one in order to splurge on another. We are flying into Catania and out of Palermo.

3 nights Taomina – Villa Fabbiano or Hotel Schuler

3 nights Siracusa – Grand Hotel or Domus Mariae

1 night Agrigento – Foresteria Baglio della Luna or Colleverde Hotel

3 nights Marsala – Resort Baglio Oneto

4 nights Palermo – Central Palace Hotel or Principe di Villafranca

Thanks in advance.

We just returned from Sicily two weeks ago; we stayed at the Domus Mariae and loved it! Ask for a seaview room and also enjoy the wonderful roof-top terrace. Great location for the hotel and Cinzia can answer any questions. We had dinner at the Grand Hotel and it was the best meal we had.

In Agrigento we stayed at Camera con Vista; I know you didn't list it, but if you can get a reservation, do it. The small hotel is clean, new-looking and has balconies that overlook the ruins. Prices are within your budget.

Hey travelbug, I loved your input for Sicily.

I did change my mind about Agrigento. I'm checking between Foresteria Baglio della Luna and Camera con Vista. I know they will be very different experiences. I'm thinking Camera con Vista will be perfect for our one night in the area.

What about dinner? Do you recommend any place simple/local/fun or even gourmet we love immersing in the area. I know this is more of a tourist area. Thanks for the suggestion.

Lynne

Another vote for the Domus Mariae. We loved it and Cinzia is a national treasure! Definitely ask for a water view.

As for Agrigento, I was going to recommend the Hotel Villa Athena for it's unbelievable views, but the reports on Trip Advisor aren't looking too good. It's a shame, the location is amazing.

Third rave for Domus Mariae and for Cinzia.
We stayed at Colleverde Park because the hotel offered a view of the temples. The hotel is a large modern place with very little charm. It was not bad but it was not lovely either, despite the view from the room..a fairly distant view of the temples which are lit at night. The hotel gets lots of tour groups. I would advise you to look elsewhere for Agrigento...

Thanks for the suggestions. I read all of the trip advisor reviews and many said the Colleverde Hotel had no charm. I was disapointed about the bad reviews for Villa Athena, however there have been a few good ones lately. It's between Foresteria Baglio della Luna and Camera con Vista.

I already have my travel agent trying to book Domus Mariae. Thanks again!

Yes, the Villa Athena is like Norma Desmond -- ready or not for her close-up. But if it is only one night, and you can get a room overlooking the temples, then I say go for it! That's exactly what we did and the image of the temples lit up at night will be with me forever. It's well worth it.

Just curious -- travel agent? Why not book directly with the hotel?

We have been trying to reach the Domus Mariae via email, but keep getting email errors from that address. How about Des Etrangers Et Miramare - anyone try?

up - Are you sure that you have the correct email address?

[email protected]

That's the email address that I tried using and I keep getting email errors, even when I send emails to the email provider (support @sistemia.it). Do you get errors?

up -- I just tried to send an email and it was returned with "fatal errors". Their server may be down. Maybe a quick phone call would solve the problem? Sorry that I can't be more helpful.

Good luck!

Try using the e-mail form on the Web site; maybe that will go through.

I recommend the Foresteria Baglio della Luna in Agrigento. We stayed here in Fall 2001. Lovely hotel with a country feel. A spectacular view of the lighted temples at night. The patio restaurant was very pleasant.

Now I'm even more confused. I like the idea of the view from Villa Athena. We were in Spain two years ago and saw the Alhambra lite up at night, while having dinner under a full moon, before we toured and it was amazing.

Regarding using a travel agent, we've been going to Europe just about every year since 1991 (click on easygoer for last years Tuscany & Cinque Terre trip report if you're interested). I have never used a travel agent except for airline tickets and rental cars. I thought I'd throw her a bone and let her do all the comparings and bookings for me. I never send my credit card over the internet and it was cosing me $$$ faxing confirmations back and forth. Also, my travel agent tends to get better pricing (I hope). In some cases she does not even get commission. I'll let you all know how it works out in October when I post a trip report.

One more question about Palermo. I have read that the area that Central Palace is not that safe for walking around at night. We love to walk to good, local and upscale restaurants. Would we be better of at Hotel Principe di Villafranca?

The Principe di Villafranca is definitely in a "better" neigborhood than the Centrale Palace, which is at Quattro Canti, the center of Old Palermo.

Whether the restaurants are better there, I do not know. It's further from most of the points of interest in Palermo than the Centrale Palace.

P.S. In my experience, the "dangers" of Palermo have been hugely overrated. I've stayed in Old Palermo three times, always carried a handbag and never felt the slightest bit threatened. As a woman alone, I do not walk around at night, but I would have no hesitation to do so if accompanied by a man.

I agree with Eloise. There are people on the streets until the dinner hour is over. Most restaurants are grouped in specific areas and there is traffic there. Perhaps after 11PM it is not wise, but my hunch is you would be back to your hotel by then.

See my 15 day trip report from May 2005 on slowtrav.com We enjoyed both Villa Schuler and Principe Villafranca.

we pretty much did your very route so you may want to check our thread

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?fid=2

We stayed at the Colleverde in Agrigento but had dinner at the Baglio della Luna

There is a wonderful restaurant for lunch an easy walk down (maybe 1/4 mi.) the road from the Colleverde.

Thanks gfeiblman. The link takes me to all of your postings. My you're busy. What was the date and/or title of your Sicily report?

How was dinner at the Baglio della Luna? We are at 39 days and counting. Can't wait!