EdEdwards

By the way -- since there was some commentary, above, regarding Taormina vs. Siracusa, we're now thinking we would pick up a car at the Catania airport, visit Taormina for the afternoon, and head to Siracusa for one or two nights prior to driving to Palermo. In Siracusa, is anyone familiar with either the Hotel Posta or Hotel Roma? Both are on Ortigia, which looks like the place to be if we'd like to stroll around at night.

thursdaysd

That sounds like a good plan. You definitely want to stay on Ortigia, not the mainland. I didn't stay in either of those hotels, but the Posta has a better location - possible sea view and closer to the main parking area. The Roma is on a busy street in the center. You could also look at Alla Giudecca - http://www.allagiudecca.it/english/

Nadia

Great! So try and grab a window seat up front before the wings on the side that you'll be seeing the Bay of Naples, Amalfi Coast and Vesuvius as the plane travels south. The scene is breathtaking because the plane flys low and you can see right into the volcano.

EdEdwards

Thursdaysd, the All Giudecca has a Triple rate of E$190 vs only 114 at the Posta and 145 at the Roma. I've also looked into the Gutkowski, which many of the tour books recommend, especially Frommer's -- and they're at 130. We'll not be spending much time in the hotel, and access to the parking will be important -- but I notice that the Posta is near the (?) bridge to Ortigia, while the Roma is right near the Duomo. Isn't the Roma, then, the better place if we want to stroll in the evening? Or is all of Ortigia nice and safe? Thanks.

ekscrunchy

Ortigia is small enough that the exact location is not all that critical. On your other thread, I suggested that you look at the Domus Mariae, where I stayed. It is near the Gutkowski.

Nadia

All Ortigia is nice for strolling and safe. The Duomo is the centre. But being near the bridge gives you the option of going straight to the centre, or west to the fountain of Arethusa, or east to (espcially morning) to the street market and onto a maze of streets and eventually south to the Castello.
Either way, I am sure you'll see everything.

Nadia

Here is a good map of Ortigia for walking
http://www.planetware.com/map/siracu...-i-siros_n.htm

thursdaysd

The Posta is better for parking. You will not want to drive on Ortigia, all of which is perfectly safe for walking. If you're looking for a good deal I can recommend the B&B I stayed at (I thought you were looking a little higher up the price range) - http://www.ortigiaseaview.it/home_eng.htm

From my TR: "while the best view is only available at breakfast, the rooms do have a sea view, and a terrace. I had a good-sized double room with a separate big bathroom, closed off at the end of a corridor. I can definitely recommend this place - my landlady was helpful (she spoke English), breakfast included fresh-squeezed orange juice, cereal, fruit and yoghurt, although no cheese or meat, and the location was great."

EdEdwards

Thanks, thursdaysd, but the B&B website isn't working, apparently. Ekscrunchy, I do have an email into the Domus Mariae, but their website makes it appear that there are no Triples in the house.

I think I'm set on either the Posta, the Roma, or the Gutkowski at this point, and I'll confer with my other half regarding location as the probable decider. One other question, though: is there a place where most locals congregate in the evenings for a walk? Would we find more people on the streets at night (til 11) near the Duomo, or near the Posta?

thursdaysd

That's odd - it works fine for me. I was there on the weekend, and there were lots of people walking the streets until late in the evening, all over.