Looking For Suggestions
Sep 21st, 2019 | 11:58 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,013
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Looking For Suggestions
My wife and I are in the very early stages of planning our 10 year anniversary. We are hoping for some ideas from you fine travelers. Our recent trips included time spent in Modena and Pienza, Italy and Begur, Spain. We will be traveling in May.
We are realizing we like this style of travel where we find a small city/town as a base and rent a car to travel. We are generally most interested in food/wine and relaxation. We loved feeling like locals in the above mentioned towns and e joyed not hearing English consistently.
We are thinking about traveling to Sicily and spending a couple weeks. Are there any towns that would fit our desires? We are also open for suggestions elsewhere. I know we aren’t coming to the table with much yet as we are very far out and want to keep an open mind.
We are realizing we like this style of travel where we find a small city/town as a base and rent a car to travel. We are generally most interested in food/wine and relaxation. We loved feeling like locals in the above mentioned towns and e joyed not hearing English consistently.
We are thinking about traveling to Sicily and spending a couple weeks. Are there any towns that would fit our desires? We are also open for suggestions elsewhere. I know we aren’t coming to the table with much yet as we are very far out and want to keep an open mind.
Sep 22nd, 2019 | 02:28 AM
#2
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 30,555
Likes: 4
I've stayed in Ortigia and used local long distance buses (pullman) and hired cars to see a fair bit in a short time. If I was in Sicily for two weeks I would have two bases one East and one West. There is a lot to do (8 Unesco sites) and the fruit and veg is especially good on the island. If basing in in a city like Palermo or Catania you might want secure garage parking and don't hire too big a car (or let them upgrade you to a giant Volvo) as many of the streets are very narrow and getting a car stuck in the road is no laughing matter.
Sep 22nd, 2019 | 03:43 PM
#3
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 25,624
Likes: 0
I agree that Ortigia would be an excellent base for a week or so on the east coast of Sicily. And I'm a great fan of dynamic, energetic Palermo, but I must admit that it doesn't sound to me like that kind of place you are describing -- but I could be wrong! For the west coast, you might want to look at Trapani or even Cefalu instead. And do think through your priorities for Sicily -- seeing just the highest of highlights can easily take 2.5 or 3 weeks, and some of the gems (like the Valley of Temples or the VIlla Romana del Casale) aren't easily seen from a base. BTW, the Rough Guide provides particularly good coverage of Sicily.
