Sicily: Day trips from Palermo to Erice, Segesta and Cefalu
Sep 1st, 2015, 05:34 PM
#21
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Shellio,
Glad to hear you are staying at La Foresteria! I hope you love it as much as I did!
I really enjoyed the garden level room with lavender blooming right in front of my patio and views of the vineyards and sea.
I understand that my visit was only within 2 years of their opening and since then they have expanded their restaurant service. I had so much fun talking with the other guests at the big communal dinner table .. Our dinner went until midnight. ��
Do try to stay in Erice. It was one of my favorites of an unforgettable trip!
Buon viaggio
Glad to hear you are staying at La Foresteria! I hope you love it as much as I did!
I really enjoyed the garden level room with lavender blooming right in front of my patio and views of the vineyards and sea.
I understand that my visit was only within 2 years of their opening and since then they have expanded their restaurant service. I had so much fun talking with the other guests at the big communal dinner table .. Our dinner went until midnight. ��
Do try to stay in Erice. It was one of my favorites of an unforgettable trip!
Buon viaggio
Sep 2nd, 2015, 11:56 AM
#22
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I loved my time in Palermo and was very glad I gave it several days! To each his/her own.>
Yes indeedy - but I guess I meant if you have limited time in Sicily I would not spend several days in Palermo at the expense of visiting other places - of course if using it as a base that may be nice.
Yes indeedy - but I guess I meant if you have limited time in Sicily I would not spend several days in Palermo at the expense of visiting other places - of course if using it as a base that may be nice.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 03:09 PM
#23
We were in Sicily for our 2nd time this past May. Cefalu was the most crowded and difficult town to drive in or park in. Only Taorminia came close in terms of toruists, but at least had big lots outside the town that one could park. This was mid week and I don't know why Cefalu was so bad, but it was jam packed.
We too really enjoyed Palermo and was glad we stayed there. Originally we were skipping it for the second time, but changed our minds. It really comes down to if you are intersted in visiting a city versus staying in the countryside and visiting small towns/villages.
I agree Erice is wonderful and if you can stay overnight, do, its well worth it.
The Spring is a gorgeous time to visit - have a great trip!
We too really enjoyed Palermo and was glad we stayed there. Originally we were skipping it for the second time, but changed our minds. It really comes down to if you are intersted in visiting a city versus staying in the countryside and visiting small towns/villages.
I agree Erice is wonderful and if you can stay overnight, do, its well worth it.
The Spring is a gorgeous time to visit - have a great trip!
Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:34 PM
#24
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We stayed in Agrigento a few days and did day trips to ERICE & Segusta
This was last May when we visited.
Our first stop was Segusta. About 100 miles from villa Athena
First we walked up to see the temple. It cost 6.00 euros each. It was amazing. Not too crowded. There was a little shop where you bought the bus tickets to the top of the town which was nothing but ruins and an amphitheater. The bus tickets were 1.50 each. The bus runs up the hill every 15 minutes. The driver did sell tickets on the bus but I think they preferred that you purchased them in the shop. It was getting hot. The hill is steep but not bad so glad we were on the bus. A lot of people were walking up. Some ladies with skirts were just standing there resting. I would never wear a skirt for this type of activity. They looked hot and exhausted already. Just a short drive to the top. There was not much left but the amphitheater but the views were fantastic.
Erice is high on a hill overlooking the coast. This was my favorite town. Very steep winding roads but they were in very good condition (paved)
First we stopped at the castle. The price to tour the grounds is 5.00 euros each. The rooms are closed. The view was fantastic. The stairs to the castle are very uneven and rocky. We walked thru the garden and to the main square. A lot of cute shops. I wish we had more time to shop. I bought 2 scarfs for 15.00 euros. Tiny little streets and if it rained I would imagine the paths would be very slippery as the streets are paved uneven. Wish we could have spent more time here. My favorite town in sicily out of the ones we visited.
This was last May when we visited.
Our first stop was Segusta. About 100 miles from villa Athena
First we walked up to see the temple. It cost 6.00 euros each. It was amazing. Not too crowded. There was a little shop where you bought the bus tickets to the top of the town which was nothing but ruins and an amphitheater. The bus tickets were 1.50 each. The bus runs up the hill every 15 minutes. The driver did sell tickets on the bus but I think they preferred that you purchased them in the shop. It was getting hot. The hill is steep but not bad so glad we were on the bus. A lot of people were walking up. Some ladies with skirts were just standing there resting. I would never wear a skirt for this type of activity. They looked hot and exhausted already. Just a short drive to the top. There was not much left but the amphitheater but the views were fantastic.
Erice is high on a hill overlooking the coast. This was my favorite town. Very steep winding roads but they were in very good condition (paved)
First we stopped at the castle. The price to tour the grounds is 5.00 euros each. The rooms are closed. The view was fantastic. The stairs to the castle are very uneven and rocky. We walked thru the garden and to the main square. A lot of cute shops. I wish we had more time to shop. I bought 2 scarfs for 15.00 euros. Tiny little streets and if it rained I would imagine the paths would be very slippery as the streets are paved uneven. Wish we could have spent more time here. My favorite town in sicily out of the ones we visited.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:47 PM
#25
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@ Natbug -- I think you mean Seg<b><u>e</b></u>sta? I also thought the views were stunning and the amphitheater lovely. When I was there some years ago, also in May, there was an archeological dig underway, the hills were covered with glorious wildflowers, and I could see a shepherd using a horn to call his flock. Well worth walking DOWN hill to get closer to the flowers! 
Sep 2nd, 2015, 05:54 PM
#27
Completely agree with your description of Erice. The stones were slippery even without rain. I agree, I cant imagne what it would belike if they were wet. Its a magical place esp in the early am, evening and night when the day trippers leave.
Segesta is lovely. We saw it on our first trip and wanted to go back this past May, but just didn't make it. Way too much to see in Sicily.
Segesta is lovely. We saw it on our first trip and wanted to go back this past May, but just didn't make it. Way too much to see in Sicily.
Sep 2nd, 2015, 08:38 PM
#29
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Thanks everyone. Your advice and experiences have been very helpful. At this point what we can visit will be determined by airline departure options, and that determined by price. Flights from Palermo to Paris are quite expensive and Ryanair, the cheapest by far, flies from Trapani, not Palermo, and apparently only twice a week.
If we fly out of Trapani we will definitely see Erice, but I suspect we won't stay there overnight, just take the funicular up for the day since we'll be pressed for time. If we fly out of Palermo we may not make Erice at all this time since we would want to spend time in the city and don't think we will have time for both. I think Cefalù is not on the short list this trip.
By the way, I've eliminated Vueling as a carrier since the reviews are uniformly bad, thus leaving Ryanair as the only low-cost option. Anyone have anything good to say about Vueling to change my mind?
If we fly out of Trapani we will definitely see Erice, but I suspect we won't stay there overnight, just take the funicular up for the day since we'll be pressed for time. If we fly out of Palermo we may not make Erice at all this time since we would want to spend time in the city and don't think we will have time for both. I think Cefalù is not on the short list this trip.
By the way, I've eliminated Vueling as a carrier since the reviews are uniformly bad, thus leaving Ryanair as the only low-cost option. Anyone have anything good to say about Vueling to change my mind?
Sep 2nd, 2015, 10:29 PM
#30
Vueling worse than RyanAir? Huh, go figure. Well this is totally anecdotal, but I flew Rome-Paris on Vueling last summer without a problem. When I did my research for that trip Vueling, was generally well-reviewed among the budget carriers. Perhaps things have changed?
Sep 3rd, 2015, 10:53 AM
#32
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We stayed in Erice for one nite. Beautiful drive up--we could see the coast of Africa. But the next morning it was so foggy we could hardly see to walk, let alone drive. It took forever to drive back down that windy road that was so beautiful the day before.
BTW--fog can be a problem at any high spot of Sicily.
BTW--fog can be a problem at any high spot of Sicily.
Sep 3rd, 2015, 02:39 PM
#33
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The only low-cost European airlines I've flown are EasyJet and a few others that are no longer in business (oh for the E15 flights Paris-Venice!), so I'm wary of the stories about unexplained cancellations, etc. on this category of airline. I think its probably too early to book this flight since some carriers aren't even posting flights as yet, so we'll decide on the final days in Sicily a bit closer to the actual dates.
Dayle, I haven't heard back from La Forestiera although I emailed several days ago. Their online booking isn't showing availability that far out. Did you have any difficulty booking? Looking forward to staying there as it will be a rest period after 10 days of on-the-go touring.
Dayle, I haven't heard back from La Forestiera although I emailed several days ago. Their online booking isn't showing availability that far out. Did you have any difficulty booking? Looking forward to staying there as it will be a rest period after 10 days of on-the-go touring.
Sep 3rd, 2015, 07:30 PM
#36
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Leely2, FYI, Vueling reviews on Yelp are awful, but maybe that site doesn't get people who haven't had problems. If your luck is good you don't think about it, if not, you complain...
I'm hoping EasyJet will work out and have flights when we need them.
Progol, if you're going in May, we can have a glass of Nero d'Avola together.
Thanks again everyone who posted responses!
I'm hoping EasyJet will work out and have flights when we need them.
Progol, if you're going in May, we can have a glass of Nero d'Avola together.
Thanks again everyone who posted responses!
Sep 4th, 2015, 06:41 AM
#38
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shellio,
I did actually have lots of communication problems with La Foresteria, but that was 3 years ago. If I remember correctly, I ended up booking them through one of the on line booking sites, but can't remember which. I'll go back and check for you if I can find it.
Once I arrived, they told me their phone (I had finally tried to call to no avail) and internet service are through the same lines and that it had been down during bad weather off and on all winter. I would hope that their internet service has improved in the last 3 years, but maybe not.
This was my only small complaint. It was the nicest place I stayed out of 11 different lodgings on a 3.5 week trip. I would have loved a couple more nights there so you are in for a nice rest and a real treat! Do go to their tasting room which is a bit away from the inn. I didn't have time, but have heard it's very good.
Buon viaggio!
I did actually have lots of communication problems with La Foresteria, but that was 3 years ago. If I remember correctly, I ended up booking them through one of the on line booking sites, but can't remember which. I'll go back and check for you if I can find it.
Once I arrived, they told me their phone (I had finally tried to call to no avail) and internet service are through the same lines and that it had been down during bad weather off and on all winter. I would hope that their internet service has improved in the last 3 years, but maybe not.
This was my only small complaint. It was the nicest place I stayed out of 11 different lodgings on a 3.5 week trip. I would have loved a couple more nights there so you are in for a nice rest and a real treat! Do go to their tasting room which is a bit away from the inn. I didn't have time, but have heard it's very good.
Buon viaggio!
Sep 4th, 2015, 12:31 PM
#39
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Thanks Dayle, I would like to know what site you used. I tend to avoid booking with them and prefer going directly to the hotel so that if there are any problems we avoid finger pointing, but I still haven't heard back.
Sep 4th, 2015, 03:29 PM
#40
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Shellio,
I checked and I did book La Foresteria Planeta Estate through venere.com. because I could never get their webpage to load on my computer.
All was well when I arrived, my GPS found the inn easily thank goodness since it is out in the country and I had not been able to get any directions.
I've used venere.com and booking.com when places I really wanted to stay were not available any other way. Erice Pietre Antiche apartments were only on booking.com.
Every time I have used either site, everything has been perfect. I would not hesitate. Both staff at La Foresteria and the manager at Erice Peitre Antiche, Massimo, were very nice and helpful.
I checked and I did book La Foresteria Planeta Estate through venere.com. because I could never get their webpage to load on my computer.
All was well when I arrived, my GPS found the inn easily thank goodness since it is out in the country and I had not been able to get any directions.
I've used venere.com and booking.com when places I really wanted to stay were not available any other way. Erice Pietre Antiche apartments were only on booking.com.
Every time I have used either site, everything has been perfect. I would not hesitate. Both staff at La Foresteria and the manager at Erice Peitre Antiche, Massimo, were very nice and helpful.
