could you please send me information re the apartment. thank you

Yo Saw,
Here is that Cefalu rental info. Have a great trip. It has been 7 yrs since our visit to Cefalu, but I will assume that Francesco is still in business. We are not connected to him in any other way.

Francesco Barrale: mob. 39 3930263122
email: [email protected] fax 0921.925074. Our apartment was the 'Federico' and it was fine but lacked the tiny laundry corner that some of their other apartment units had. Btw, the aforementioned terrace is a large communal one. Incidentally, did you know that some scenes from 'Cinema Paradiso' were filmed in Cefalu?
Finally, some pronunciation: Petralia Sprano= 'peh-tray-lia....'
I am done. The end.

I wish I would have thought about this sooner (and I cannot change the title of my post) but what if the question was Tropea or Taormina?

Thanks.

Zebec
thank you

Really enjoyed our time in Cefalu. Stayed in a big apartment (or part of a house) under the cliffs and overlooking the whole town and sea. Big roof deck. That was about 5 years ago so I don't remember the details.

Taormina is beautiful, but IME, unpleasantly jammed with daytrippers during the day. Seriously unpleasant. And it isn't on a beach -- it's above the beaches, which are in Giardini Naxos. When I was there, I thought Giardini Naxos a rather tacky tourist designation, but that could have changed.

Here is some information beaches in Taormina. https://www.charmingsicily.com/en/taormina-beaches
There is a cable car that brings you from the village down.

During the day, the old town can be very crowded, but, besides the beach, you can get away with day trips to Mt. Etna or take a hike up to Castelmola, the little hill town overlooking Taormina.

From what I have heard and from all of your advice, Taormina sounds beautiful but also touristy and tacky, whereas Tropea seems more authentic and equally as gorgeous.

Tropea it is. Can't wait!

Thanks for all of your help. I was leaning towards Tropea and now I am sure of our decision to go there.

Taormina may often be heavily touristed but it is not tacky.

You are right, bon_voyage. I didn't mean tacky in the traditional sense.

Usually, heavily touristed destinations are 'tacky' in the sense that they lose their authenticity by having to cater to so many tourists, especially day trippers and cruisers.

Zebec...Yours is a name I recall from years ago and wonder if you still post.

Would you mind giving me a link to the flat you recommend in Tropea? We are all but booked for Saline in late summer of 2024 and would like to then make out way to Tropea and points north. (Have ruled out Pantelleria for various reasons....)

Any help on Tropea for early September, much welcomed!!

From there, rent a car and drive north along coast, or take train, POSSIBLY ending up in Ischia but open to all other ideas....

Hi Eks,
Actually it was Cefalu where we had a recommended apartment as mentioned above. We've not yet been to Tropea (maybe this coming winter).
We were just in Ischia this past March and have another excellent apartment to recco there, BUT it is a splurge, an all-timer for our budget. Great value mind you, there in Ischia Ponte.
Btw, ItaliaRail ripped us off for our due covid refund. The only compromise that those basta greedy individuals would offer was a 'free' subscription (reg. $99) to their associated online mag called 'ITALY'.

I mention this here coz their latest issue's front cover story (in their Travel section) is titled 'Have you Heard about Calabria?' It is not bad and features a number of combined authors writing on differing topics.
Maybe it'd prove helpful?

I am done. the Calabriators

Signore Calabriatore:

But how was Ischia in the early spring? I think that island is better than most of the Italian resorts due to the thermal springs..were hotels open and were the pools warm enough for swimming????? (Swimming is the non-negotiable for me)

I've stayed in Ponte and Forio before......looking this time at both Ponte and Lacco Ameno.....are you ok with posting link to that apartment?

So...Next year, I am booked for Salina again in September, and want to combine that with, maybe Tropea, or Ischia.

Having second thoughts about Tropea as I have read of an overwhelming German tourist influx, and a focus on tourism without so much local activity....that backs up the fact that the town appears to close up in September.....is it a town that one would want to stay and explore for a week, or just to "see it" for a few days?" )

I realize now Ii am asking you and you've not been yet!!) Anyone else?

Very curious..is Tropea gorgeous beaches much not much else? Almost reminds me of what I've read about some towns in the Gargano. And then if you have no pool, there is always the chance of a medusa influx......

Just trying to sketch out a trip that would include Salina and then either up the mainland to Tropea or Ischia, or where else???? Will look into those Tropea sites so helpfully provided on this thread...this trip would be September next year...

In Ischia some hotels were open but most of the big name thermal spas were not, including Negombo. Swimming in early Spring was not happening.
That apartment is detailed below--pretty sure that many here have seen the below already in other recent related threads. It is expensive btw.

ISCHIA LODGINGS (blue coz its right on the waterfront)
We did not pay too too much in Minori but chose to splurge as never before in Ischia Ponte. So glad we did.
'Exclusive Home Ischia' is a family-run pair of adjoining modern apartments in Ischia Ponte. The Contes have appointed their lovely daughter Gabriella as their main contact, and her brother Pierre-Mario also assists. We rented the spotless unit called 'Aquamarina', which had an outdoors hot tub. Shutterbugs note: that unit has the single most awesome view of the castle, world-class by any measure!! Fans of 'My Brilliant Friend' take note, that some scenes were shot in the courtyard.
Its an excellent location for restaurants, buses, ATMs, groceries, shopping, pharmacy, beaches, visiting the Castle and more. The Contes will spoil you, trust me.
Again, uncheap but worth every penny. The sound of waves just below...that view. Sigh...

I am done. the lodgings

I know I am very late to this party, but I also am seeking any current experiences with Tropea. Our trip to Sicily next year is focusing on the east and I thought Tropea might be a nice place to start the trip for 4 or 5 nights before heading to Savoca, Catania and Noto. Any feedback appreciated.

Will you have a rental car? Fly into lamezia terme in calabria then drive to Tropea. Would you drive to the ferry that takes you to Sicily? You can put a car on the ferry.

We did a very lengthy trip report on Sicily, with a follow-up, based on a trip in April of this year. That report, at the very beginning, includes a couple nights and photos of Tropea and a stop-over in beautiful Scilla. You might find that helpful. A Sicilian Postscript

We don't hear of many people basing in Savoca, as opposed to the many day trippers. A good choice if you like peace and quiet (after the tour buses leave) in a quaint village, very close to Taormina and other points of interest. We got to know a few locals who could not have been nicer..

Thank you whitehall! I quickly scanned your trip report and plan to devour it in detail when I have time. I think Tropea is a go!

In Savoca we are staying in a villa a few hundred km. outside the village, so the plan is to walk in the mornings to get coffee and back in the afternoon for drinks, snacks and dinner.

AP6380: We will probably rent the car in Lamezia and return it at Catania airport. I like having a car.

Werth, we too are currently looking into Tropea for spring, maybe mixed with Easter in Badolato.
Btw, when in Noto maybe check out Costanza gelateria. In our expert opinion (see our doctorates in matters vitamin 'G'), it buries the nearby Bourdain-endorsed competition.

OP ToBe, don't miss Whitehall's linked TR. It is one of the best, interesting and filled with added value.

I am done. the modern forum talking about ancient forums

Oh Done One, A gelato recommendation is always welcome!