Anyone knows lovely and quiet resort places in Sicily?
 

Hi, everybody,<BR><BR>I am planning to go to Sicily for 9 days starting May 26 and would like to start off with 3-4 days of profound rest (need it badly!) before doing any tours. I'd like to relax, look around and (possibly if sea water temperature in the end of May permits) swim in the sea. What are the best places in Sicily for this kind of rest? Ideally it should be not too far from either Taormina or Palermo (Taormina is preferred as it is south-east and the sea should be warmer there).<BR><BR>Any suggestions will be warmly appreciated!<BR><BR>Viktor.<BR>

Palermo is northwest, not southeast. Water may be warmer on the south coast, but it's not as pretty as the north.

Near Palermo, consider Santa Flavia/Solunto or Trabia. Near Taormina, Giardini-Naxos.

Thanks. I've checked Giardini/Naxos (looks not very attractive to me) and Solunto (looks wonderful). I still decide to go to Taormina first and stay in a hotel close to the beach. Villa Belvedere looks great, but noy on a beach. Is there a good hotel with direct access to beach or with a private beach in Taormina?

We are on the south coast of the Island,<BR>Please visit our site: http://verdetecnica.tripod.com

Giardini Naxos is lovely! I spent several months working in Sicily and it's one of my favorite place on the island. Taormina is gorgeous but a very international tourist town. Giardini Naxos has better beaches and it's where Italians seem to vacation when they come to Sicily. If you want four-star glamour, then stay in Taormina. If you're up for something a little more low-key and "authentic", GN is a great option. I've stayed in the Hotel Palladio, right on the beach. A lovely little family run hotel that's everything a little family run hotel should be -- charming, spotless and gracious. I'd be back in a heartbeat.<BR><BR>If you're looking for beach towns near Palermo, try Cefalu.

Panvan, thanks for advise.<BR><BR>How far and how easy to get from Taormina to Giardini/Naxos? If I stay late at night in Taormina (where all the night life seems to happen) will I be able to get back to the hotel?<BR><BR>

There is regular bus service from Taormina town to Giardini-Naxos, but probably not late into the night. You'd have to take a taxi in that case (it's not expensive, maybe 10 Euros)

Do you know of a nice and quiet hotel in Taormina located in the lower part of town - close to beaches?

Hi Viktor, <BR>I'm not sure about the buses since I had a car, but it's definitely a short journey. We spent a few evenings in Taormina for drinks and dinner,and it was lovely. We also spent several nights enjoying GN, walking along the beach promenade and enjoying all the Italian families out for a stroll. Plenty of seaside places to eat. But be sure to make hotel reservations well in advance, wherever you go. Enjoy!