yestravel

We did not stay in Piazza Armenia, but it did not strike us a particularly charming town to stay. I would look for a BnB or perhaps an agriturismo to stay. Sorry, but don't have a recommendation for you.

As others have said the drive from Villa Sogno to Segesta would be longer than I would want to take for a day trip. It makes more sense to visit Segesta from either Scopello or Erice.

As you say, Scopello is very tiny and while a cute village with great scenery we visited to hike in Zingaro. If that isn't something high on your list then I would stay 2 nights in Erice. You could do a day trip to check out Scopello and Segesta from Erice. The drive to Erice goes up a mountain and has switchbacks with splendid views, but wouldnt call it "difficult."

For us finding our apt and parking in Erice was a challenge.(We stayed at Residence San martino (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...ni_Sicily.html which was very nice). This was a booking made thru booking.com during our trip. We arrived without directions. We ended up calling because we just couldn't find it. The woman at the apt we were staying didn't speak English and the onwer was not in Erice at that moment. Finally we parked at a meter, left our luggage, schlepped around the town trying to figure out where our apt was. Eventually we found it, the owner who did speak English returned. He went with us to our car, got our luggage and we followed him to a free parking lot (free until June I believe). He then drove us back to our apt. We did the opposite on our check out day. Wherever you stay be sure to work out arrival arrangements before you get there.

In terms of tourists in May, Erice and other sites mostly had school kids during the day. Erice was empty at night. Scopello including Lo Zingaro was not crowded when we were there in May.

CollK

We were just in Sicily last May and went to some of the places on your itinerary so thought I'd throw in my two cents. If I were you, I would not stay in Piazza Armenia but rather detour there from Modica on your way to Agrigento area and then stay two nights there. That's what we did but coming from Siragusa. I was a little nervous about leaving our luggage locked in the car in the parking lot at Villa Romana but it really wasn't a big deal, its not a huge site and you aren't really very far from your car and it really didn't feel scary at all. I wouldn't do it at Valley of the Temples or downtown Catania but at least when we were there it really seemed OK.

We stayed at Ciuci's Manor which is about 30-40 minutes drive from Valley of the Temples and I cannot say enough good things about this place. It was the highlight of our trip and very special. We were sad to leave and wished we would have booked one more night. Here are the reviews and they do not exaggerate:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...to_Sicily.html

We also stayed at Villa Sogno which was very nice, enjoyed our time there. Although we weren't super impressed with the area around it or Selinunte but maybe we were just templed out.

We stayed in Trapani for two nights and did a day trip up to Erice, enjoyed it but was just as glad not to spend the night. And I don't think I'd want to make it a base as the drive up and down is kind of a pain but then again I don't love heights or hairpin turns so much!

I did a trip report, you can click on my name and find it pretty easily.

progol

I'm still quite torn between the Erice vs. Scopello plan. I do think I will ultimately decide to stay in one or the other for 2 nights, but the decision is hard. I love the idea of being in Erice for the atmosphere, though, as Collk wrote, I'm not crazy over hairpin turns, either (though have survived many!). Still, it looks great for touring and has a lot to see. I'm leaning toward staying there for 2 nights. I'm just concerned that my designated-driver husband will be less likely to leave there to drive to Segesta.

Scopello looks like a pretty location (I'm a sucker for views) but it sounds like there's not much there see or do, other than Lo Zingaro. I've just been intrigued by Pensione Tranchina, but that's probably my primary interest. I think Erice wins out, but I'm not 100% committed.

I did write to Ciuci's Manor -- look lovely and worthwhile staying there. It's not available on booking.com but we'll see if they have availability through their own site. I'm finding many places don't even bother responding through their own site anymore if they're on booking.com.

kja-- No, 3 nights is never enough for Palermo, but I think it will be right for this trip. We will definitely go to Monreale, enjoy a market and see what we can. By the end of the trip, we won't need to see everything, anyway!

Finally, deciding whether to park with luggage in the car at Villa Romana vs staying somewhere....we've traveled for so many years and left luggage in the car with no problems, but having read about break-ins in Sicily, I'm more reluctant. I do know that the one I read about on this board occurred in Catania, which is a city with crime, but I'm just a little more anxious these days. There's no left luggage at Villa Romana, is there?

Again, thank you all, for such great feedback.

CollK

I'm almost positive they don't have a left luggage at Villa Romana, it's not really a very big site. And how I remember it, the parking lot is two minute walk from the entrance so you don't really get the feeling like your car is out in the middle of no where (like u do at some sites). But having said that anything can happen anywhere and there are always risks with travel.

I think Cicui's probably isn't booked up but just that they aren't taking reservations yet for May 2016.

progol

Thanks, CollK. From what I've read, it doesn't look like there is left luggage at Villa Romana. Perhaps I'll relax a bit and accept that we'll stop there with luggage in the car. I love the look of Ciuci's Manor and will perhaps stay there, and see the Vsite on the way.

And, at the moment, I think we'll stay in Erice for 2 nights over Scopello.

Of course, I may change my mind.......

kja

"kja-- No, 3 nights is never enough for Palermo, but I think it will be right for this trip. We will definitely go to Monreale, enjoy a market and see what we can. By the end of the trip, we won't need to see everything, anyway!"

Quite reasonable! I keep mentioning it only because Palermo was one of my favorite places in Sicily, with things that - to my knowledge - simply don't exist anywhere else on that incredible island, and I so regret not having had enough time there. But we all travel in different ways and for different reasons. I'm sure you will enjoy your time there no matter what you choose.

Dayle

Progol

I highly recommend Erice Pietre Antich apts and the wonderful manager Massimo. They are on booking.com. Read the reviews. Excellent and charming. I did not find Erice to be too touristy in mid April. A few visitors walking around in the afternoon, but morning and evening I had the whole town to myself. The are many interesting historical sites to see. Really the roads are no big deal.

There is nothing in Scopello to see except Lo Zingaro so if you happen to hit a really bad weather day, you may wish you were elsewhere. If it's beautiful warm weather ,I can see relaxing in the sun and enjoying the tiny place a lot.

The wine estate where I stayed to visit Villa Romana was just a short drive away and would be a lovely place to spend a sunny afternoon by the pool enjoying the gorgeous views!

shellio

Progol, re the Villa Romana, we decided to stay in town at Piazza Armerina rather than drive to dinner at night in the countryside. We have reserved at B&B Diana for one night. http://www.bebdiana.it We'll be there May 26 if your itinerary takes you there about then.

shellio

Dayle, in your response to prolog you say you stayed at a wine estate near Villa Romana. Are you talking about La Frontiera? That's not near Piazza Armerina, is it? Or is there another one there?

Dayle

Shellio

I stayed at Il Gigliotto. It is between Villa Romana and Catalgirone, which I also wanted to visit. It wasn't a long drive from Villa Romana. Beautiful restored monastery. They have a very large restaurant, lovely gardens and a pool. As you can imagine they do lots of weddings! Wine was good, dinner a very long multi course event. I liked most of the dishes, but some were not great.

Rooms were very comfortable, and views were fabulous! They kindly
Y let me leave my bag so I could go off to Villa Romana and return for it later. Price was very reasonable.

shellio

Thanks Dayle

progol

Thanks, Dayle, I'll look into Il Gigliotto and shelio, I'll look at bebdiana.

Shelio, sadly, I think we're going to just miss each other -- I'm planning to buy tickets today, but will be leaving on May 14, arriving in Catania on May 15, and returning from Palermo on May 29. What's your itinerary? Maybe we will overlap somewhere.

progol

Villa Clementine, just outside of Piazza Armerina, looks very nice and good for a 1-night stay. Anyone familiar with it? The bebdiana looks very nice, but it's in town, and I like the idea of staying just outside.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...y.html#REVIEWS

julies

paule--

If you haven't already done so, buy a copy of the Michelin guide to Sicily. It has some marvelous looking driving tour suggestions. We are going next month, and I plan to use some of these tours.

progol

Thanks, julies, I'll get the Michelin guide when we are closer to leaving for our trip.

So all is done -- tickets are purchased and all my bookings are done! Here they are:
We fly into Catania on May 15, leave from Palermo May 29.
Ortygia/L'approdo delle sirene Siracusa- 3 nights
Modica/Palazzo Il Cavaliere B&B - 2 nights
Piazza Armerina/Villa Clementine (just outside) - 1 night
Agrigento/Villa Diana - 1 night
Selinunte/Villa Sogno - 2 nights
Erice/Pietre Antiche -2 nights
Palermo/Palazzo Pantaleo - 3 nights

I booked directly with the hotel in Ortygia; all the others, with the exception of Palermo, were booked through booking.com. Palazzo Pantaleo wasn't listed on the booking.com site, and I booked that through hotels.com. A few of the hotels I'd attempted to contact by email or through their website, and they didn't write back, so I'm very happy that booking.com exists!

I also found Vagabonda on the TripAdvisor forum extraordinarily helpful, and I've booked several of her recommendations.

Now I can relax, go back to my busy work schedule and feel relatively comfortable that the trip is in place. Details, such as car or any reservations for special meals or guides can come later.

Anyone who is traveling at the same time, do let me know - a GTG would be welcome!

Paule

Dayle

Paule

It looks like you are going to have a wonderful trip and I can guarantee you will love Sicily! Sometimes choosing the lodging is the second hardest part ( most difficult choosing what to do and see of course). There are so many really lovely places to stay!

I wish I was going again too!

Buon viaggio

progol

Thanks, Dayle!

I think it will be a good trip and I feel generally pleased and comfortable with my choices. That is a good sign!

Paule

Dayle

If you have not already traded e mails with Massimo, the manager of Erice Pietre Antiche, he will meet you at the town gate and guide/drive you to the apartment.

And go prepared with some very good walking shoes. Erice has the most evil cobblestones I have ever encountered!

progol

Plenty of time before I contact him, but I will remember to email him before we go. And have a cell # to contact him!

I'll keep those walking shoes in mind-- I generally travel with good shoes & sturdy sandals, and I'll make sure I have them for Erice.

bon_voyage

Paule, you've crafted a wonderful itinerary! I'm already looking forward to revisiting Sicily through your eyes.