Please help! I have five days to spend in eastern Sicily, and can't seem to get a plan together ... was thinking of Taormina, Catania, and Siracusa ... is this doable in 5 days? Any advice / hotel suggestions would be greatly appreciated!<BR>Thanks!

I should not worry too much about catania with so little time to spare. The other two are great and 'doable' though obviously you will not be able to do all you would want. if you e-mail me [[email protected]] I will send you my notes on Sicily and some useful URLs.

If you spend any time whatsoever in Catania, I would recommend a very brief (10 minute) visit to the Cathedral. If you are interested in Italian Opera, visit the nearby Museum of Vincenzo Bellini (in the building where he was born), very old fashioned and charming (allow 20 minutes to view original opera manuscripts). Bellini's tomb is in the Cathedral. These two attractions are curiosities, and you will certainly want to spend virtually all your time in Taormina and Siracusa.

taormina is beautiful...hotel belvedere has a great pool with view of Mt/ Etna, simple rooms with great views...$150 ? I'd also skip Catania...Siracusa was my favorite...Hotel Britannia (maybe grand britannia) vey nice, newly redone, $120?..definiatly stay on the little peninsula at Siracusa...Ortygia...not in the main part of town.

Did you go to eastern sicily yet? I am planning to go in April and I also have 5 days. Do you have any advice?<BR>Thanks!