Can Anyone Recommend a Driver in Catania, Sicily?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can Anyone Recommend a Driver in Catania, Sicily?
During one of my days in Catania in late August, I would like to do a day trip visiting Villa Romana del Casale, Piazza Armenia and Caltagirone. Public transportation obviously won’t work for an itinerary like this. Can anyone recommend a safe, reasonably priced and friendly driver? I speak reasonable Italian, so non-English speaking is not an issue.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 29,610
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This info is dated, but Stefan drove us in Umbria. He said he goes "anywhere". Good luck! Please let everyone know how it goes.
Stefan, Driver: Autonoleggio Stefano Mogini - Perugia
Stefan, Driver: Autonoleggio Stefano Mogini - Perugia
#5
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This rec is from my 2010 trip report, in line with Happy Trvlr’s:
“I’d priced the cost of limousine services from the Catania airport to Taormina, and the four bids I received were all over the map. The least expensive was Sicily Life at €75 so they got the nod. Our driver was waiting for us outside baggage claim and off we went!”
“I’d priced the cost of limousine services from the Catania airport to Taormina, and the four bids I received were all over the map. The least expensive was Sicily Life at €75 so they got the nod. Our driver was waiting for us outside baggage claim and off we went!”
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to post an update. I’ve been in communication with Sebastiano from Sicily Life who has bid 290 euros to have one of his team members drive me for the day from Catania to Villa Romana del Casale, Caltagirone and then back to Catania. It doesn’t sound like that includes a driver tip, so I’d probably be in for 320 euro or pushing US$400 for the day which feels pretty steep.
I will next reach out to Stefan and see what I hear.
Thx again and I will keep you updated.
I will next reach out to Stefan and see what I hear.
Thx again and I will keep you updated.
#10
<<Just to post an update. I’ve been in communication with Sebastiano from Sicily Life who has bid 290 euros to have one of his team members drive me for the day from Catania to Villa Romana del Casale, Caltagirone and then back to Catania. It doesn’t sound like that includes a driver tip, so I’d probably be in for 320 euro or pushing US$400 for the day which feels pretty steep. >>
I agree that's pretty expensive. Have you thought of hiring a car just for the day? it would be a lot cheaper I think. You might also want to think about visiting Piazza Armerina itself which because it wasn't destroyed by the earthquake that destroyed Ragusa etc is medieval and very interesting for an evening. Another point is that the site of the Villa Casale is very exposed and in August you would want to be there as early in the morning as possible. We were there in September and stayed overnight in Piazza Armerina just so we could get an early start. Nevertheless it was pretty hot by the time we left at about noon.
I agree that's pretty expensive. Have you thought of hiring a car just for the day? it would be a lot cheaper I think. You might also want to think about visiting Piazza Armerina itself which because it wasn't destroyed by the earthquake that destroyed Ragusa etc is medieval and very interesting for an evening. Another point is that the site of the Villa Casale is very exposed and in August you would want to be there as early in the morning as possible. We were there in September and stayed overnight in Piazza Armerina just so we could get an early start. Nevertheless it was pretty hot by the time we left at about noon.
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<Just to post an update. I’ve been in communication with Sebastiano from Sicily Life who has bid 290 euros to have one of his team members drive me for the day from Catania to Villa Romana del Casale, Caltagirone and then back to Catania. It doesn’t sound like that includes a driver tip, so I’d probably be in for 320 euro or pushing US$400 for the day which feels pretty steep. >>
I agree that's pretty expensive. Have you thought of hiring a car just for the day? it would be a lot cheaper I think. You might also want to think about visiting Piazza Armerina itself which because it wasn't destroyed by the earthquake that destroyed Ragusa etc is medieval and very interesting for an evening. Another point is that the site of the Villa Casale is very exposed and in August you would want to be there as early in the morning as possible. We were there in September and stayed overnight in Piazza Armerina just so we could get an early start. Nevertheless it was pretty hot by the time we left at about noon.
I agree that's pretty expensive. Have you thought of hiring a car just for the day? it would be a lot cheaper I think. You might also want to think about visiting Piazza Armerina itself which because it wasn't destroyed by the earthquake that destroyed Ragusa etc is medieval and very interesting for an evening. Another point is that the site of the Villa Casale is very exposed and in August you would want to be there as early in the morning as possible. We were there in September and stayed overnight in Piazza Armerina just so we could get an early start. Nevertheless it was pretty hot by the time we left at about noon.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I’m thinking I would need perhaps 3 hours at each site + the drive back and forth to Catania? So perhaps around 8 hours total? Have you been to either Villa Romana or Caltagirone? Does 3 hours at each feel about right to you?
#15
<<Thanks annhig. I have thought about it and wouldn’t totally rule it out but as a solo traveller, I’m rarely a fan of renting a car in a foreign (for me) country. One must be both driver and navigator and so don’t get to enjoy the journey. And then I’m always worried about the car breaking down and being stuck in the middle of nowhere by myself. Which actually happened to me 3 years back in La Rioja, Spain. I was fortunately able to get the car to what looked like an auto shop but the gentleman spoke no English and I speak about 5 words of Spanish. Eventually we got whatever red warning light it was to go out and I was never more happy than to return that car the next day.>>
ok, I get you. Taxi it is. As there were two of us driving was easier - i won't say easy but that area wasn't too difficult. I can't speak for Catania as we didn't stay there, we just picked up our car from the airport as we arrived and left it as we departed.
As for the time required we hired a local guide at the entrance to Villa casale and I think it took about an hour to an hour and a half [worth every penny] and then we had a look round by ourselves so the max we were there was 3 hours. We also visited Caltagirone on our way to Piazza Armerina and i suppose that we were there for about 3 hours including lunch but we could have spent longer as I suspect that there was quite a lot we missed. So for a round trip [and remembering that you will need to eat at some point] I'd have said at least 9 hours.
ok, I get you. Taxi it is. As there were two of us driving was easier - i won't say easy but that area wasn't too difficult. I can't speak for Catania as we didn't stay there, we just picked up our car from the airport as we arrived and left it as we departed.
As for the time required we hired a local guide at the entrance to Villa casale and I think it took about an hour to an hour and a half [worth every penny] and then we had a look round by ourselves so the max we were there was 3 hours. We also visited Caltagirone on our way to Piazza Armerina and i suppose that we were there for about 3 hours including lunch but we could have spent longer as I suspect that there was quite a lot we missed. So for a round trip [and remembering that you will need to eat at some point] I'd have said at least 9 hours.
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I checked for you, the cost is basically the same as the other guy, 300 euros. You do not really have to tip though (in either case.) I think it’s a fair price for 8 hours. He has nice vehicles and he is super cool. And it’s high season.
You would have a great experience… i found an old thread where I recommended Benny, contact info is there, and some feedback too. Hiring a driver near Sant' Alfio (Catania)?
You would have a great experience… i found an old thread where I recommended Benny, contact info is there, and some feedback too. Hiring a driver near Sant' Alfio (Catania)?
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UPDATE: I ended up booking a driver from Sicily Life for the day fro 290 euro. Tip is not included so all in will probably be 320 euro. More than I was hoping to spend but I have the driver at my disposal the entire day. This should allow me to leave Catania by around 7:30 to arrive at the Villa Romana del Casale shortly before the 9:00 opening. (My reservation made for the 9:00 slot). I’ll plan to spend 2-3 hours there and from there, have him take me down to Caltagirone for lunch, seeing La Scala and then perusing the town and popping into a few ceramic shops. Sebastiano has told me the rate is good for up to 9 hours, so this should be put me back in Catania by about 4:30 pm.
Thank you to everyone who made recommendations. Thank you also to rialtogrl for confirming that my Sicily Life price is consistent with that of her driver.
Non posso aspettare per Italia 2021!!
Thank you to everyone who made recommendations. Thank you also to rialtogrl for confirming that my Sicily Life price is consistent with that of her driver.
Non posso aspettare per Italia 2021!!
#18
That sounds pretty good, MinnBeef - the best you were going to get, anyway, and well done on the timing for the Villa - definitely the earlier the better IMO.
One thing we missed in Caltagirone which I regret not seeing is the Presepi Museum - many of the ceramic shops sell figures for Presepi and have their own exhibits which are lovely, but the museum appears to take this to the next level. Unfortunately due to poor homework I only heard about it afterwards.
https://www.ipresepidicaltagirone.it
One thing we missed in Caltagirone which I regret not seeing is the Presepi Museum - many of the ceramic shops sell figures for Presepi and have their own exhibits which are lovely, but the museum appears to take this to the next level. Unfortunately due to poor homework I only heard about it afterwards.
https://www.ipresepidicaltagirone.it
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That sounds pretty good, MinnBeef - the best you were going to get, anyway, and well done on the timing for the Villa - definitely the earlier the better IMO.
One thing we missed in Caltagirone which I regret not seeing is the Presepi Museum - many of the ceramic shops sell figures for Presepi and have their own exhibits which are lovely, but the museum appears to take this to the next level. Unfortunately due to poor homework I only heard about it afterwards.
https://www.ipresepidicaltagirone.it
One thing we missed in Caltagirone which I regret not seeing is the Presepi Museum - many of the ceramic shops sell figures for Presepi and have their own exhibits which are lovely, but the museum appears to take this to the next level. Unfortunately due to poor homework I only heard about it afterwards.
https://www.ipresepidicaltagirone.it
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Tuppy1
Europe
4
Jul 31st, 2010 08:58 PM
SRS
Europe
6
Jan 17th, 2008 01:13 PM