Limited amount of time for Sicily
 

We're flying into Rome on Sunday and need to be in Verdura, Sicily on Wednesday. I'm not wanting to spend any time in Rome on this trip, only to get to Sicily. Thoughts on the best way to use the limited time? I've read a lot of postings, thank y'all for your time and ideas, especially GAC. The Palermo airport seems way out from the city - how best to arrive if we fly. The Ambasciatori seems a great place to stay - again, thanks!

There is an airport bus that goes directly from the airport to Palermo. If your hotel is near the Politeama, that's where you would get off. Check the location of your hotel, print out its location on a Google map and show it to the driver of the bus. He'll tell you where to get off.

Great idea! Thanks Michael!

So are you flying on to Sicily after you arrive in Rome? Is your limited time Monday and Tuesday? When are you leaving Sicily? And where from?

Yes, the Palermo airport is at some distance from the city. You have the choice of bus, taxi, or town car. (I'm not aware of any shuttles.)

The airport bus goes to the rail station, which is within walking distance of the Ambasciatori. Since we were arriving quite late, we arranged with Ambasciatori for a car to pick us up. We took a taxi back to the airport to pick up a car. I can't remember the cost. (But I do remember the driver on the freeway holding his cellphone to his ear with one hand and gesturing with the other. No hands left for the wheel.)

We heartily recommend the Ambasciatori. It was very comfortable and had a great terrace with a panoramic city view. And the location is very central, close to the 4 corners.

Yes, we really have only full days Mon & Tues for exploring. My husband has a conference in Verdura starting sometime on Wednesday. I met the president of Tenuta Rapitala Winery recently in Dallas and we're planning to try and visit on Tuesday. I think we'll rent a motorcycle to get around outside of Palermo.

We leave Palermo, EasyJet, on Sunday morning with connections on AA to Rome and Heathrow to get home. I just haven't booked anything from Rome to Sicily. First thought it would be fun to take the train down to Naples then the ferry over but that would eat up most of our time, so thought of flying, then was hesitant to book anything because of the distance to Palermo. From your and Michael's reply, sounds easy to get into Palermo and appreciate the recommendations.

My travel books haven't arrived yet so have been using the internet the last couple of days for research. We've spent quite a bit of time in Tuscany but have never made it to Sicily. I'll have time later in the week to explore the southern coast and will work on that with the travel books. Thanks!

Taxi to the airport will cost about 60€.

Dont think you will have a problem finding public transportation from the airport. I use to live in Sicily and as I flew in and out of Palermo and Catania I never actually planned ahead becasue I knew there was always something available. if you need any tips about places to see let me know I travelled the entire island when I lived there for 1.5 yrs

-marcello
http://www.wanderingtrader.com

SRRN-my daughter and I are meeting in Sicily this Sunday so am putting the finishing touches on our itinerary. I noticed in your previous post that you are going to the Tenuta Rapitala
winery. It is one of our favorite wines as I go to Rome all of the time and always purchase their wines. Do you possibly know what town it is near or what road? thanks so much!

The closest town is 90043 Camporeale. I met the owner/president in Dallas about a month ago and he provided his business card and cell phone and told us to email him. I did more than a week ago and haven't heard back so not sure what to make of that ... it could just be he is still traveling. Telephone +39 0924 37233 is the winery

MARCELLO-
I love your stories on your wondering site! We just figured out how to get to Valleta on the Virtu Ferries via Pozzallo today so your story was an "ah, hum" moment. Thought maybe the hotel in Vendura would help get me to a bus to Pozzallo, but from you post it doesn't appear to attract public transporation. The ferry leaves from Sicily at 915 and 1930 taking about an hour and half and Malta seems really safe so arriving at 2100 would be fine? So if you could do it again - any suggestions of getting in and out of Pozzallo? Thanks!

I'm glad you opted not to train/ferry en route to Sicily. The ferry really will take a lot of your time, and the train station is not particularly near the ferry port in Naples.

This spring I flew EasyJet to Catania from Rome (after arriving at FCO on Continental); inexpensive and no problems transferring. We then ferried from Catania to Naples at the end of our Sicily stay.

FWIW, I loved eastern Sicily - Taormina, Caltagirone, Siracusa and the small towns in between. One suggestion would be to fly to Catania and make your way west? I've heard the train isn't great, but the motorcycle sounds cool!