Sicily & Rome-just back any questions?
Mar 31st, 2001 | 07:24 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Kathy, we are planning on spending around 4-6 days in Sicily mid-May. Is this amount of time too much? Have not made any plans on where to go so any suggestions would be great. Prefer country rather than large cities/towns and enjoy doing a bit of hiking. Did most places accept credit cards and/or travellers cheques?
Apr 1st, 2001 | 12:58 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
We flew into Cantania and rented a car and drove to Taormina where we spent 5 nights. It is a beautiful spot, with town, shops, greek ruins, Mt. Etna all right there. If you like to hike, you can go to Mt. Etna. We drove around it - about 5 hours. <BR><BR>We also spent 4 nights in Siracusa - larger city - 2-300 thousand. The historical sites are interesting and it is a good base for trips into country. Although the roads are good and well marked, they are for the most part narrow and winding. It took us 3.5 hrs. to drive from Siracusa to Piazza Armenia - about 60 miles. The chance to see the country side was worth it. Driving in the cities is like driving in Boston - only more so. You can do anything, but because drivers can do anything, the other drivers seem to be alert and I saw no accidents.<BR><BR>It was warm last two weeks - 75 during day. By May it should be really warm. I would make sure my hotel had a pool. We stayed at Villa Ducale in Taormina. It has a web site. I recommend it highly - but I'm not sure it has a pool. The beach in Taormina is miniscule and if you want beaches, I would consider some of the other towns nearby.<BR><BR>In Siracusa we stayed at Villa Politi, which is an old, formal, Italian hotel. It has been renovated and is quite spacious and has a great pool and patios. It is removed from the center of town, but you can easily drive into Siracua or Ortigya.<BR><BR>I did a lot of research before I went to understand what was available and then made choices. We generally like to stay in one spot rather than moving around.<BR><BR>Also, since Alitalia gets a lot of grief on this site, I have to say that once again we had no problem, flights on time, luggage arrived, etc.<BR><BR>We found the people to be very friendly and the food of course is marvelous. Most of the tourists we saw were German and every once in a while an American. I think Americans are just beginning to discover Sicily.<BR><BR>Credit cards were acceptable most places, but every now and then we would eat in a restaurant that did not accept them. I would not bother with travelers' checques. Atms are everywhere.
Apr 2nd, 2001 | 10:18 AM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Kathy,<BR>We're going to Italy in early June for the first time. We're definitely going to spend a few days in Rome . . . can you recommend any good, inexpensive restaurants there? Also, what sights in Rome would you recommend that 2 teens and an 8-yr. might enjoy?<BR>I appreciate your help!
Apr 2nd, 2001 | 12:09 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
We are going to Taormina at the end of May and staying at Villa Ducale. Can you give me some more information about the hotel like how far is it from town, did you use the hotel's transport service from the airport in Catania? Also any recommendations on dining in Taormina. We will be going to Sicily with our 5 year old son. Do you have any suggestions on places to go he would like? Thanks. Kathy
Apr 3rd, 2001 | 06:53 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
As to inexpensive Rome restaurants, we have found that there is always a good restaurant near the hotel that the locals frequent - ask the concierge. As for sights for teenagers, younger child I would suggest the Forum - have them read some history prior to trip - maybe see Gladiator. The teenagers will want to hang out at the Spanish Steps. Maybe a trip to Ostia Antica - combine the ruins with the beach.<BR><BR>As to Taormina, villa Ducale is about 1 - 1.5 miles by road and about 1 mile straight up from town. There is a "shortcut" stairway down through the town to the center that takes about 15 minutes and is an interesting walk as you can look into the adjoining patios and gardens. It is a killer climb back. We did it once and took taxis after. There is also a bus and a special hotel transport bus that services the town and stops at Villa Ducale.<BR><BR>Villa Ducale can arrange transportation from Catania airport. There is also (I think) a train into Taormina. If you want to see the countryside at all I would recommend a car. If you're just going to be in Taormina, you don't need a car. If you email Sebastian at the Villa Ducale web site, he will be very helpful.<BR><BR>As to restaurants, all recommened by Sebastian:<BR><BR>Nautilus - great - ate there twice<BR>Liola - my favorite, very small personal operation, waitress makes the homemmade limoncella. My husband hated it since they were very slow, cooked each meal individually.<BR><BR>Al Duomo - mediocre<BR><BR><BR>Take your son to the town square every evening. He can eat gelato and play soccer with the town kids. Everyone is there. He would also like the cable car ride to the very small beach and will probably like the stairway down the mountain from Villa Ducale.
