newyorkais35

Hello.

I will be spending five days in Sicily in May flying in and out of Palermo. Any suggestions on staying in the city and doing day-trips or staying in the countryside? Hotel and restaurant recommendations would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ross

Michael

Monreale is an obvious outing as it is in the hills overlooking Palermo. I think that Segesta and Erice are within a day's outing, and possibly Selinunte on the southern coast. We stayed at the Hotel Joli which was within walking distance of everything in the historic center of Palermo. You might want to take a look at my trip report, although we did a 9 day tour of Sicily; click on my name to find it and skip the medical part.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...7624349637005/

Marija

There are some Palermo restaurant suggestions here:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-november.cfm

carolyn

Can you get to Valley of the Temples? It's amazing. Syracuse was my favorite city.

M1

Although it has been a while, the following suggestions may be helpful--
Lunch/Dinner:
Casa del Brodo, near the quattro canti (between Via Roma and Piazza Pretoria)
Italia (near the Teatro Massimo)

Definitely spend some time at the Ballaro' market (better than Vucciria market) in Palermo; and the nearby church (the Gesu').

Erice is a great place for a day trip, depending on the weather and depending on whether you have access to a car.

If this is a first visit to Sicily, with only five days you might try all 5 nights in the historic center of Palermo, with two days trips--one to Erice and one to Cefalu'. Another half day can be spent in Monreale.

dutyfree

Marsala/west coast and Ortigia/Siracusa on the eastern side are my two favorite cities in Sicily. Palermo to me is like being in New York so hope that you can get out in the countryside to Segesta,Agrigento,etc. to truly experience the wonderful people and culture!

newyorkais35

Thanks to everyone who responded!!! Michael, your photos are OUTSTANDING!!!

Ross

Magster2005

We spent a month in Sicily (you can see my trip report by clicking on my name). Palermo is a great city with lots to see and do. In addition to Monreale be sure to see the Cappella Palatina.

Our favorite site in Palermo was the Catacombs at Convento dei Cappuccini. If you like that sort of thing, this place is amazing.

I highly recommend the B&B Amelie in Palermo: http://www.bb-amelie.it/index_eng.htm Good location, lovely rooms, and Amelie is a marvelous hostess -- she will take great care of you.

For restaurants, the Taverna de Pavone in Monreale is excellent -- fantastic Gnocchi Norma.

You can easily do a day trip from Palermo to Agrigento to see the remarkable Greek ruins. The Cuffaro bus leaves from via p. Balsamo in Palermo (buy ticket from row of ticket agencies nearby) to Agrigento. Takes 2 hrs.

When we went the cost was only 12.80€ and the bus left at 8:00. Then you take a city bus from Piazza Marconi (near train station). Here is the Cuffaro bus website: http://www.cuffaro.info/index.php?op...56933417c4132e