0311

We will be traveling to Sicily in April 2006 and staying at an apartment in Taormina. Any information you can give me on Sicily would be appreciated.

Catbert

Here's a great trip report you can start with. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34701658

willit

If you search on Sicily, you will find several helpful threads. I have pasted links to a few.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34699704

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34699704

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34699704

If interested, I have sort of blog of our October trip to Sicily at :
www.microbes.plus.com/sicily2005.htm

willit

Whoops - same link 3 times - try :

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34416277

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34620334

misscarol

We were in Taormina in May 2004. It was our first trip to Sicily after 6 other trips to other areas of Italy. WE absolutely loved it! We arrived in Catania and took a taxi to Villa schuler, the first view of Taormina perched on the hillside was breathtaking. I don't know your age or if you will have a car. We took a bus tour to Etna, which stopped at a large, local street market and had lunch at a restaurant on Etna and a wine tasting at a local winery. Some of the group opted for a jeep tour of the crater rim. We also took the train to Catania for a day trip. It was at the end of a business trip so we were looking for relaxation. Enjoyed the walk of the Greek theatre, sipping Campari at the cafes looking at the spectacular view. Also enjoyed the arancini, bought some lovely ceramics and had great meals of local seafood. I wish we would have done a boat trip to Lipari. We were discouraged to take the train or bus to Palermo, because of time and distance, but if we had a car would have definitely included the city.

cmt

Information on Sicily would fill many many volunes. After you do some general reading on the history and culture of Sicily and the places you might like to visit, post your more specifc questions here.

0311

The information supplied has been most helpful. Thank you.

mamc

We absolutely loved Sicily. We returned in early October and I am very remiss on posting a trip report. Taormina is lovely and the views of the bay and Mt. Etna are spectacular. I understand that April and May are lovely for wild flowers but we thought that all of Sicily was spectacular and dramatic. The scenery, both on the coasts and the interior, is incredible; the food is delicious - I have never tasted better fruit. And the people were wonderful. You will love it!

Margo

We, too, were in Taormina last month. It was crowded! One of the things that we decided to do, two couples, was to take a taxi up to Castel Mola, which is the town perched above Taormina. It is a tricky cab ride on a rather unbelievable road but well worth it for 15 Euros one way. We did check out the Caffe Turrisi which is a cafe whose decorations were entirely dedicated to the male sexual organ, or as they say Early Phallic. Unbelievable!!! We did not eat there but heard that the food wasn't bad at all. We did go to a place perched over the valley, with views of Mt Etna. The name escapes me except that it was (something) de Etna. Wonderful food.

After eating at that restaurant, and drinking much good wine, we climbed the path/steps to the castle. We wondered "How did they get the the building materials up to that site?" Fantastic views.

Another day we took a tour to Mt Etna, through small towns and about half way up the mountain to a couple of pubs located in the lava flows. They had both been covered or nearly covered with lava at different times. Again, an amazing site.

Do have fun in Sicily.

isabel

I was in Sicily last summer. Taormina and all of Sicily was wonderful. My trip report is at http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34657352

If you want to see some photos, mine are at www.pbase.com/annforcier - obviously they are in the gallery titled "Sicily"

0311

Isobel: Thank you for the sharing your beautiful pictures of Sicily and your adventure there. We took the Orient line cruise last April and stopped in Taromina/Naxos for the day. We drove to San Piero Patti to see where my husband's grandmother was from. We enjoyed what we saw along the way. Staying in Sicily will be a wonderful adventure.

Thank you to all for your stores.