If you were going to spend 2 weeks in Sicily, which towns would use as bases and what sites would you see? Does anyone know of any agriturismo accomodations that they would recommend? Is Palermo really squallid? Since the center of the island seems very mountainous, is driving slow and difficult?

Good evening. mwg <BR>Palermo is the first, some of the most <BR>excellant ristorantes in all of Sicily <BR>are in Palermo, its food reflects its <BR>culture. Squallid, is the beauty in <BR>the eyes of the beholder, what large <BR>city is not squallid. The center of <BR>the island is mountainous, but roads <BR>are not like those in the Alps or <BR>Rockies, distances are much shorter. <BR>You can drive from Palermo to Taormina <BR>in a little over three hours without <BR>rushing. Most of your good sights are <BR>on the coastal plains around the island. <BR>I'll drop you an e-mail with a longer <BR>itinery for Sicily, Richard of Hickory <BR>Hills, IL....

Good evening. mwg <BR>Palermo is the first, some of the most <BR>excellant ristorantes in all of Sicily <BR>are in Palermo, its food reflects its <BR>culture. Squallid, is the beauty in <BR>the eyes of the beholder, what large <BR>city is not squallid. The center of <BR>the island is mountainous, but roads <BR>are not like those in the Alps or <BR>Rockies, distances are much shorter. <BR>You can drive from Palermo to Taormina <BR>in a little over three hours without <BR>rushing. Most of your good sights are <BR>on the coastal plains around the island. <BR>I'll drop you an e-mail with a longer <BR>itinery for Sicily, Richard of Hickory <BR>Hills, IL....

Hi! <BR>Sicily is great! Driving is "easy", I mean that it is neither more or less difficult than in the rest of Italy. The roads are in a good condition, generally speaking. As we had a bit of luggage (4 people), we stayed in Palermo first and then in Catania, and day-tripped from there. We didn't want to risk getting the car broken into. Must sees: Monreale + cathedral + monastery, Palermo is not half as bad, but don't attempt driving there a lot, Erice, Agrigento, Segesta, Cefalu, Piazza Armerina (with the excavated Roman Villa there), Syracuse, Taormina (great! but touristy). Catania wasn't too nice. In addition, we went to Trapani, Marsala, Noto, Mount Aetna. <BR>Enjoy!

Sicily is fascinating and we hope to return there soon as we were there several winters ago for the biggest rainstorm in years. On that not, let me reassure you that driving was fine. The roads were well marked and the drivers were considerate. As for agriturismo, check the 4-99 issue of GOURMET. There's a good article on Sicily and a listing of agriturismo establishments.