There is a poster who has a very negative opinion of Sicily who has commented on a couple of posts this week. I am planning a trip to Sicily for next September but this poster's negative comments on how much he disliked Sicily is making me think twice. Is Sicily not in the same catagory for scenery, sights, food, etc., as other favorite places in Europe such as Northern Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Portugal? I have travelled all over Europe, except the east, and loved everywhere I have been so I'm not a fussy traveller at all but this poster's comments are so overwhelmingly negative unlike any I have seen for other areas of Europe. Any thoughts?

I absolutely loved Sicily, and was surprised to find I hadn't anticipated that. I even loved Palermo, but that was because we were there for the festina of Santa Rosalia (you may want to skip Palemero though). What is to love? Agrigento is you like Greek ruins, Taomorina if you like elegant views and shopping with small restaurants tucked into back alleys, Cefalu for the combination of beach and old town walks, and my favorite Erice, a stone town high on a cliff (you can drive or take a cable car up, but do stay a few nights) with each little church hosting a different museum display, architecture from the phoenicians on, with an emphasis on the medieval. My biggest complaint: no one moved from the sidewalks to let me pass (different cultural norms) but did for my tall husband, and the traffic in the towns is to be aware of. The people were friendly, the food out of this world, and the tourist sites marvelous.

Lily,

Some people just LOVE Disneyland and others hate it! Go, enjoy Sicily, and decide for yourself!

Buon viaggio

Maybe thursdaysd's trip report will help you decide if you haven't read it already.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ing-sicily.cfm

Lily, my only regret inspite of all the times my late husband and I spent in Italy is that we did not go to Sicily. That was due to all the negative comments made by friends of ours in the US that were from Italy and the same dour comments made by friends in Italy. To this day I hear negative comments about Sicily. I have no desire to visit there on my own but I sure wish my husband and I had done so. So my thoughts are if you feel attracted to Sicily do go and determin for yourself whether it was worth the visit or not. Best wishes to you.

You are all so lovely, thanks.

Lily,
We've been to Sicily twice and especially enjoyed Siracusa, Taormina and the Aeolian islands. Driving is only for the very brave (such as my husband)but it was truly magical. We also have traveled to Europe numerous times and found that Sicily was indeed very special.
Lisa

I spent only three days in Sicily and want very much to return. Those temples in Agrigento are, IMHO, worth a trip around the world to see. Sicily is exciting, interesting and beautiful. I also enjoyed the food. People I met were friendly, kind and helpful. The only thing I agree on were the drivers being a little nuts.

I've read many, many negative opinions about Naples too, but I find it one of the most "colorful" places I've ever been, with beautiful architecture and great food, and lovely people. I love that chaotic part of Southern Italy. Hey, I've even read negative opinions about Venice. What for one person is lively and colorful, may be crowded and seedy to another.

From what you say about yourself, I think you would love Sicily.

MY husband and I go to Sicily at least twice a year and are considering buying something there. I send clients there on a regular basis and everyone of them has come back thrilled by their experience.

The negative comments were by one person, I am certain you will get plenty of positive ones in this thread.


Go and enjoy (by the way, the food, scenery, history and wine are amazing!)!

Sicily is one of our favorite places. The antiquities, the history, the food, the natural beauty, and the insanity that is driving are all part of an extraordinary island.

I'll add my voice to the "pro Sicily" lobby. I spent a couple of weeks there in 2005 and loved it. I would rate Selinunte, Agrigento, Segeste, Monreale, Noto, Taormina and Piazza Armarina among the very best places I have visited in Italy. It is definitely on my list of places to go back to.

Sicily is absolutely fantastic. The diversity is amazing. It has something for everyone. From active volcanoes to beaches, canyons, deserts, cliffs, papyrus rivers, islands, busy cities, hill towns,(even a ghost town), ancient sites, museums, castles, incredible views and fantastic food. Most negatives I have heard are from people who have never been, and the ones from people who have been, usually seem to come from people who expect a perfect Disney World created just for their needs. Sicily is REAL. It's difficult to find a place the size of Sicily that has more great scenery and sites. There is so much to see and do, so you need to do a lot of research. I can't count how many times I've been, and I'm still finding more to see. Check out the Aeolians for island hopping, and renting scooters. Also, Palermo is a great city, and deserves a few days. Just a note to explain driving there - ANYTHING can come out of ANYWHERE at ANY TIME at ANY SPEED.

Have a look at my photos of Sicily and judge for yourself. They are at:www.pbase.com/annforcier/sicily_2005

My trip report is here: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-and-switz.cfm

Loved Sicily. It was one of the few tours we took and went with friends. Richard

I went to Sicily for Christmas with my mother and brother in 1999 and had a wonderful time. The food and scenery were amazing. I would love to go back. I don't remember the driving being particularly hairy, but it was 10 yrs ago!

Don't let one person dissuade you. I personally wouldn't go to Disney unless you paid me big bucks and can't understand the attraction, but there are many people who would think I'm crazy.

Here are 74 reasons to go to Sicily---enjoy !

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3828

As I indicated on the other thread, I had a wonderful experience in Sicily - I am very, very, very glad that I went. My only regret is that I spent only 2 weeks there. But people travel for many different reasons and enjoy different things, so (as with almost any possible destination) some people will love it and some will not. As many people who have responded to this thread have noted, there is an incredible array of different things to see and experience in Sicily, so some things may appeal to you and others might not. You undoubtedly had reasons to want to go to Sicily - I'm not sure in makes sense to change your plans based on another person's experience, good or bad. Hope that helps!

Oh, I loved Sicily! It's one of the most beautiful places in the world; the people are kind and welcoming; the history is amazing... I would go back - and I seldom say that about any place I travel. Click my name for my trip report - "Bumbling my way to and through Italy..." lots of pictures of Sicily linked in the report.

I hope you go!

Cyn

Sicily was so different from the other places we had been in Italy, and that was one of the reasons we really enjoyed it! I did read some of the negative comments about driving in Sicily and can say that we had only one "difficult" experience - i.e. narrow roads on the way up to Mt. Etna. Not at all unlike many other areas we had driven in Italy. As a matter of fact, the highways were spectacular! Very new, not much traffic (we were there in June), very easy to get from place to place.

About the only place that I was not that taken with was Taormina. Pretty, yes, but a little lacking in "soul". We really liked Palermo though - partly because we had steeled ourselves to NOT be impressed. It had so much more to offer than I thought, I would love to go back. The Greek ruins that we saw really were amazing and the people we met were so friendly. Very much like what you'll find in the smaller Italian cities. I think you'll have a great trip.

Not that I need to comment with all the above posters, but YES A MILLION TIMES YES go to Sicily. Just look at the photos the above posters posted! I've been to all those places. We even love Palermo!!! There isn't one thing I don't like about Sicily. It's also very drivable. Renting a car is a must.