hope to spend a week in sicily in early may. just wondering: weather? is catania a decent place to stay? {like to wander and enjoy local culture and if historical sites are there fine but not necessary}, public transport for day trips? then we are off to calitri in campania for 2 weeks of "living like locals". we were there last may and can't wait to return.

thanks in advance for your help

A week is not really long enough for Sicily. You will have to pick the east or the west.

The weather in early May should be fine, although it will be too early to swim. It is a great time for wild flowers.

I would not base in Catania, on the east coast I would base in Ortigia (Syracuse).

Click on my name for my Sicily TR.

May should be good weather in Sicily. Check one of the on line weather sites for averages.

Don't stay in Catania which is not of much interest and is too far for day trips to many wonderful places. It is best to move from one location to another using public transport. Spend three days in Palermo, a day in Agrigento and the remainder in either Siracusa or Taormina.

Read some trip reports on this site. Sicily is simply wonderful and you will love it.

I agree with above comments. Click on my name to find my TR in May of 2005 and my photo gallery. We had 15 days to enjoy Sicily--it takes that time.

thanks for the info. not looking on doing a comprehensive trip to sicily, just to get a feel of it. want to stay in one place and do some day trips. that is why i thought catania was good; about an hour from taormina, etna and syracuse. then return in the future for a couple of weeks. where would you recommend for what we need. thanks.

Ortigia. It's magical. Catania is just a city and Taormina is too touristy.

Ortigia (Siracusa).

While Catania has some interesting things, it is a very large city. If you really want to stay in the area, I'd try to find someplace outside Catania (not Taormina because of the expense). From Tripadvisor, looks like there is a hotel somewhat outside the city center--La Cittadella, with access to the highways, free parking, and pretty good reviews. This would permit you to stay in the geographical area without having to fight your way in and out of the City to make your day trips.