babytravel

We would appreciate some advice on travel in January for 13 days in Sicily with a 6 month old. Our aim is to find as warm a place as possible (we know it won't be shorts weather) and some nice cafe's and relax. Is it best to rent a car? Can you suggest an itinerary/destinations? Will Taormina be cold? We leave January 12th/06. Thank-you
Charmaine

cmt

In which towns or cities will you be staying and for how long in each, and what destinations for day trips have you planned so far?

It will not be "warm."

caroline_edinburgh

I don't think the weather will differ greatly in different parts of Sicily, as long as you don't go anywhere high up. At sea level, I think you have a good chance of it being warm enough to sit outside during the day time. Taormina at least is certainly a Christmas holiday destination, and has the best chance of having a choice of hotels, restaurants and cafes open. Palermo of course is a working city and will be functioning as normal. I've so far visited Taormina three times (10 days / 6 days / 4 days), Panarea once (8 days), Siracusa twice (2 days x 2), Agrigento twice (2 days x 2), Ragusa & Piazza Armerina once each (1 day) & spent a week in Palermo, which is totally fascinating and I want to go back. I'd recommend all these places except Ragusa (only warrants a flying visit IMO), Piazza Armerina (ditto at that time of year) and the Aeolian islands (not at that time of year).

One consideration is where you are flying to - Catania and/or Palermo ? If that weren't already fixed, at that time of year I'd suggest something like fly into Palermo, spend 5 days in Palermo, 1 night in Agrigento, 2 nights in Siracusa & 5 nights in Taormina.

Don't be scared of driving. Outside the towns the roads are very good & quite empty. The one way system in towns can be a bit worrying at first but you get used to it; and in Taormina there's really only one way you can go anyway, with all the hotels signposted from it. People will hoot their horns if you dither but just ignore them

Sicily is my favourite place and you will have a fab time. As I'm sure you know, the Italians love babies so will be extra nice to you.

babytravel

We fly into Palermo and were thinking of renting a car to go to Trapani for a couple nights(Segeste, Erice, Marsala), Agrigento for a night or two, Noto?/Syracuse and Trapani. We'd love some suggestions of midrange hotels or apts for Palermo and Taormina (or website suggestions). BTW, we are Canadian and it wouldn't take much for us to consider it warm.

cmt

For a B&B in Palermo. Look for posts by Sicula (there aren't too many, so you will probably find it). For suggestions in Trapani, I think it might be helpful to find the Sicily trip report by RAR from a few years ago.

It may be rainy in January, but I don't think it will be terribly cold, except if you go to high elevations inland. I've never been to Sicily in January. when I was there in November one year, I thought it was warm enough to walk around without a jacket, or with only a very light unlined one, but some locals were wearing coats with fur collars! never

tancredi

Make sure there is central heating in your hotel or B&B. It can be much colder in a Sicilian home than outside!

yipper

Hi,
This week in Palmero it is 50-57 degrees and sunny. sounds good to me. Have a great time.