Hello,<BR>My husband and I are planning a trip to Sicily next April. We plan on spending about 8-9 days there. We are looking for a relaxing vacation and would like to pick 2 or 3 places and spend a few days at each. While we certainly want to see some ruins, we don't want to spend all of our time doing such and want t o spend some time at the beach or hiking. Our budget is mid-range.<BR>I'd love some advice. Is Palermo really a must-see? Is Taormina too touristy? Is there more to do in Agrigento than see the ruins?<BR>Thanks!<BR>Jill

I tried to e-mail you a copy of notes I made after a trip to Sicily in Feb 2000 but my sender did not like your address?<BR>If you e-mail me, I will send them back.

Message:Yes, Palermo is a really a must-see (try not to drive in town) <BR>1 hour bus from Palermo you can try verdetecnica. Check out : http://www.verdetecnica.com

The highlights of Palermo can be seen in a day, half a day if you're really quick, and whatever you do, don't drive there. If you like beaches, you may want to stay in Cefalu which is only about an hour away from Palermo. You may be able to arrange for a driver to take you there for your daytrip. Another relaxing place to consider would be the Aeolian islands: Lipari, Vulcano, Panarea and Stromboli. Good hiking on Vulcano and Stromboli. Taormina is touristy but beautiful. The beach (which is a good distance downhill) is not that great however.

Good evening, Jill<BR>Here are my suggestions for Sicily.<BR>1. Palermo is a must, however traffic<BR>could be less congested, however we did<BR>take a half day city tour that covered<BR>most places of important within Palermo.<BR>2. Just west of Palermo is the beach<BR>resort of Mondello.. Good sand beaches.\<BR>3. Cefalu is a small town east of Palermo which also has some very good<BR>beaches and hotels, more queiter than<BR>Taormina. (Taormina has pebble beaches.<BR>3. Near Siracusa are also some very nice<BR>beaches and not touristy...<BR>In Palermo, do not miss Monreale<BR>Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..<BR>

The above messages are good. But one don't miss in my opinion is the valley of the temples in Agrigento. I've traipsed all over Greece and Turkey, and nothing moved me like the sight of those temples lit at night as we dined at Villa Athena.<BR>One night there will &quot;make&quot; your trip to Sicily. And Taormina is a special place. Just ignore the fact that all those other tourists are there. They are there for good reason.

If you REALLY want to relax, stick to Taormina or Lipari (April is a tad bit early for Lipari, but still highly worth considering). Palermo is mesmerizing but NOT relaxing (nevertheless, it is a MUST SEE, as is nearby Monreale, and you'd be stark raving mad not to see the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento!) You can &quot;get away&quot; with only 1.5 days in Palermo, and 3/4 day in Agrigento). If you like hiking, consider the Islands of Salina and/or Vulcano, both near Lipari (Stromboli is a very strenuous hike). In April, Lipari will be half as cheap as Taromina, which is essentially a year-round resort.