Sicily: Is there one city that's best for a base while staying in Sicily?
Sep 4th, 2001, 07:15 AM
#1
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Sicily: Is there one city that's best for a base while staying in Sicily?
Since getting a room in Venice has been a pain in the butt,concentrating on Sicily now.
Is it possible to base oneself in a certain city here and do day trips to the ruins etc,etc? Or are the driving distances too far. Does anyone know the driving time between Taormina and Agrigento and Taormina to Palermo? Thanks
Is it possible to base oneself in a certain city here and do day trips to the ruins etc,etc? Or are the driving distances too far. Does anyone know the driving time between Taormina and Agrigento and Taormina to Palermo? Thanks
Sep 4th, 2001, 09:28 AM
#2
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In terms of public transportation, your very best practical choice would be to stay in Palermo and Catania. However, I would be very hard pressed to stay in Catania proper for more than two days. For the western part of the island, you can go just about anywhere from Palermo, which is itself a fascinating city worth basing yourself in. On the east coast, I'd choose either Taormina or (for the southeast baroque towns) Siracusa (Ortigia Island). Driving time from Taormina to Agrigento is about three and one-half to four hours. Ditto Taormina to Palermo. Agrigento is closer to Palermo (two hours by bus or train, with excellent services).
Sep 4th, 2001, 01:47 PM
#3
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Hi Jim,
I lived in Catania for many years, so I can't tell you about travel times from other cities, but I can say that if you are based in Catania, you are in a good spot.
Though the city itself, is not especially popular to tourists, it is in a good location.
Every place you want to see in Sicily is good for day trips.
What your base really depends on, is the places you are thinking about seeing.
There are so many places in sicily to see, that depending on where you plan to see the most, would make your decision easier.
I always opt for Catania, but that is only because I know of all the little places special to see, that most don't.
If you are only going to Taormina, Agrigento, and Palermo, you should stay in Palermo.
I lived in Catania for many years, so I can't tell you about travel times from other cities, but I can say that if you are based in Catania, you are in a good spot.
Though the city itself, is not especially popular to tourists, it is in a good location.
Every place you want to see in Sicily is good for day trips.
What your base really depends on, is the places you are thinking about seeing.
There are so many places in sicily to see, that depending on where you plan to see the most, would make your decision easier.
I always opt for Catania, but that is only because I know of all the little places special to see, that most don't.
If you are only going to Taormina, Agrigento, and Palermo, you should stay in Palermo.
Sep 4th, 2001, 06:38 PM
#4
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To Micia,
I am intending to visit Siracusa as well. Would like to stay in Taormina as a base but,I also want to visit Cefalu which one person suggested as a base. My real problem is the short amount of time sept 13-21 that I will be there for. I guess I'm going to have to sacrifice probably Palermo and the far west coast this time.
I am intending to visit Siracusa as well. Would like to stay in Taormina as a base but,I also want to visit Cefalu which one person suggested as a base. My real problem is the short amount of time sept 13-21 that I will be there for. I guess I'm going to have to sacrifice probably Palermo and the far west coast this time.
Sep 5th, 2001, 01:07 PM
#5
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Jim,
Cefalu is very close to Palermo.
If you are going to Taormina and Siracusa, Catania is in the middle.
You could still stay in Taormina and see Siracusa with no problem, your travel time will just be a bit more.
Take a look at this site,
http://www.sicilyweb.com/mappe/
it offers maps of just about any place in sicily, this way you can get a sort of idea your distances for the places you want to see most.
Cefalu is very close to Palermo.
If you are going to Taormina and Siracusa, Catania is in the middle.
You could still stay in Taormina and see Siracusa with no problem, your travel time will just be a bit more.
Take a look at this site,
http://www.sicilyweb.com/mappe/
it offers maps of just about any place in sicily, this way you can get a sort of idea your distances for the places you want to see most.
