Sicily, Italy
Dec 8th, 2012 | 05:57 PM
#1
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Joined: Nov 2010
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Sicily, Italy
I will be returning to Sicily with my family in the summer of 2014. I am planning now for what I hope to be a wonderful trip. My daughters will be 19, 15, & 12. We were in Italy 2 springs ago and had a magnificent vacation. We visited Rome, Venice, Florence and Sicily. My family was from Sicily. This time we want to explore more of Sicily and briefly visit Malta. We are wondering if anyone might offer some must see places off the tourist maps. We want to visit the ocean, small towns and relax and become like a local. We will have two weeks to do this. We are comfortable driving and the girls are great travellers. My family is from Polizzi Generosa a very small mountain town near Cefalu. We are planning on visiting there. Any other suggestions?
Dec 9th, 2012 | 12:56 AM
#4
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Dec 9th, 2012 | 02:40 AM
#5
Joined: Feb 2006
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bmking for our trip, hopefully next year.
for route planning i suggest looking at the Lonely Planet guide to Sicily - i've not been yet, obviously, but it has what look like some good routes for driving including to places that appear to be off the beaten track.
Dickie - that looks lovely, and in the area which we are most interested in.
for route planning i suggest looking at the Lonely Planet guide to Sicily - i've not been yet, obviously, but it has what look like some good routes for driving including to places that appear to be off the beaten track.
Dickie - that looks lovely, and in the area which we are most interested in.
Dec 9th, 2012 | 03:47 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
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The easiest way to 'do' Sicily is to fly into either Palermo or Catania & exit from the other. Taormina for the stunning views, Siracusa for the atmosphere in Ortygia, the Renaissance triplets (Nota, Modica & Ragusa - stay in one & day trip the others), Caltagirone for ceramics, lots of great ruins - Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Segesta, Selinunte, etc etc with wonderful people, food & wine everywhere.
You will have to do your homework to research what YOU want to do.
Another trip report: http://members.rennlist.org/imcarthur/sicily.htm
Ian
You will have to do your homework to research what YOU want to do.
Another trip report: http://members.rennlist.org/imcarthur/sicily.htm
Ian
Dec 9th, 2012 | 03:59 AM
#7
Joined: Nov 2012
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Ann
We visited 3 years ago and it was like spending a week with a psychotic lover. ( not that I speak from experience on that front). One day was like Tuscany by the sea, beautiful architecture and wonderful food. The next day was like doing battle in a third world favela, it was an exhausting week.
We have racked up over 20 trips to Italy but mainly Sardinia, Tuscany, Milan, Turin and The Lakes : all posh end. Sicily is a little raw in comparison.
We stayed here :
http://www.hotelilparco.net/
It was lovely.
Looking back the weather wasn't great (October half term and we were in a bad mood).
There seems to be some new luxury villas popping up around Noto towards the sea, we may book one for next July.
Sorry I didn't respond to yor post on another thread, forgot about it!
We can fly from Manchester to Milan for buttons with Easyjet, spend a couple of days there and then Milan to Catania for buttons again. One the way back we will just change in Milan on the day.
Apart from the usual destinations like Ortigia, we loved Marzamemi and Fontane Bianche. Just be very careful and do thorough research. Sicily clearly isn't part of the EU in many respects, the most obvious are planning laws. It is apparent that a brown paper bag stuffed full of money allows Sicilians to build ANYTHING. Some of the development around Lido di Avola and Lido di Noto was just diabolical, like nothing else I have seen in Europe.
In total contrast the coastal area down from Noto was beautiful and totally unspoilt.
We visited 3 years ago and it was like spending a week with a psychotic lover. ( not that I speak from experience on that front). One day was like Tuscany by the sea, beautiful architecture and wonderful food. The next day was like doing battle in a third world favela, it was an exhausting week.
We have racked up over 20 trips to Italy but mainly Sardinia, Tuscany, Milan, Turin and The Lakes : all posh end. Sicily is a little raw in comparison.
We stayed here :
http://www.hotelilparco.net/
It was lovely.
Looking back the weather wasn't great (October half term and we were in a bad mood).
There seems to be some new luxury villas popping up around Noto towards the sea, we may book one for next July.
Sorry I didn't respond to yor post on another thread, forgot about it!
We can fly from Manchester to Milan for buttons with Easyjet, spend a couple of days there and then Milan to Catania for buttons again. One the way back we will just change in Milan on the day.
Apart from the usual destinations like Ortigia, we loved Marzamemi and Fontane Bianche. Just be very careful and do thorough research. Sicily clearly isn't part of the EU in many respects, the most obvious are planning laws. It is apparent that a brown paper bag stuffed full of money allows Sicilians to build ANYTHING. Some of the development around Lido di Avola and Lido di Noto was just diabolical, like nothing else I have seen in Europe.
In total contrast the coastal area down from Noto was beautiful and totally unspoilt.
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Dec 9th, 2012 | 04:29 AM
#9
Joined: Nov 2012
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Ian makes a really valid point with the capitalisation of YOU.
Looking back Siciliy is raw and can draw highly opinionated views. It isn't Pienza where the only criticism cold be there is no seafront.
Research and choose carefully, more than usual.
Looking back Siciliy is raw and can draw highly opinionated views. It isn't Pienza where the only criticism cold be there is no seafront.
Research and choose carefully, more than usual.
Dec 9th, 2012 | 04:30 AM
#10
Joined: Jan 2010
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I have very little to add. I think Ian's list of destinations is spot on although we missed the "Baroque triplets". Sicily was certainly one of the most beautiful and memorable trips we have taken. The scenery, the architecture, the food, the wine, the people - all wonderful. Driving is a bit more of an adventure than in most of Italy and it is often difficult to find a place to eat in the countryside between noon and 3:00PM but we enjoyed every minute of our trip.
Have a wonderful time planning and a lovely trip.
Have a wonderful time planning and a lovely trip.
Dec 9th, 2012 | 05:24 AM
#11
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
Likes: 5
Sorry I didn't respond to yor post on another thread, forgot about it!
We can fly from Manchester to Milan for buttons with Easyjet, spend a couple of days there and then Milan to Catania for buttons again. One the way back we will just change in Milan on the day. >>
Dickie - you are forgiven. our [actually my] ideal plan would be to fly from Bristol to Pisa, drive down through Tuscany to Rome [I want to show DH the area around Orbetello where I did a week's italian course last year] then fly to Palermo. We'd then tour Sicily ending up in Catania and fly back from there to Naples and spend a few days there before flying home from Rome.
trouble is, that's a 3 week trip, and really we'd only have 2.
We can fly from Manchester to Milan for buttons with Easyjet, spend a couple of days there and then Milan to Catania for buttons again. One the way back we will just change in Milan on the day. >>
Dickie - you are forgiven. our [actually my] ideal plan would be to fly from Bristol to Pisa, drive down through Tuscany to Rome [I want to show DH the area around Orbetello where I did a week's italian course last year] then fly to Palermo. We'd then tour Sicily ending up in Catania and fly back from there to Naples and spend a few days there before flying home from Rome.
trouble is, that's a 3 week trip, and really we'd only have 2.
Dec 9th, 2012 | 06:54 AM
#13
Joined: Nov 2012
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Ann
What about our little trip from 6 years ago.
I can't remember from your trip report of the time, how much you saw of the Ortobello area.
Monte Argentario, Marina Alberese, Porto Ercole and San Stefano form great day trips from that area. We combined A flight into Pisa with 4 days in Pienza, 4 days near Ortobella and then four days on Elba which is lovely and an our ferry from Piombino. We had a great time over two weeks.
Alternatively, just take Easyjet Bristol to Rome, spend a week near Ortobello which is around a 90 minute drive up the coast. Then back to Rome and Blu Express have cheap as chips flights to Catania. On the last day just do Catania to Rome to Bristol.
I loved this place, really stylish and a third of the price of the famous Il Pelicano which is down the road and has the same view.
http://www.tuscany-charming.it/tusca...cany-coast.asp
What about our little trip from 6 years ago.
I can't remember from your trip report of the time, how much you saw of the Ortobello area.
Monte Argentario, Marina Alberese, Porto Ercole and San Stefano form great day trips from that area. We combined A flight into Pisa with 4 days in Pienza, 4 days near Ortobella and then four days on Elba which is lovely and an our ferry from Piombino. We had a great time over two weeks.
Alternatively, just take Easyjet Bristol to Rome, spend a week near Ortobello which is around a 90 minute drive up the coast. Then back to Rome and Blu Express have cheap as chips flights to Catania. On the last day just do Catania to Rome to Bristol.
I loved this place, really stylish and a third of the price of the famous Il Pelicano which is down the road and has the same view.
http://www.tuscany-charming.it/tusca...cany-coast.asp
Dec 9th, 2012 | 06:57 AM
#14
Joined: Dec 2012
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andreadee,
Polizzi Generoso is certainly off the tourist map and you should give yourself relaxing days there. Fortunately, it is in the Madonie mountains, which is one of the cooler parts of Sicily in August, so you are unlikely to get an argument from your teens about the fun of being there. In addition to staying in a place with a pool and air conditioning, if anybody in your family likes horse back riding, it is popular in that area. This might also give you some ideas if you haven't already seen it.
http://www.sicilianexperience.com/hi...izzi&lingua=en
You don't say what else you did in Sicily during your last visit, but were I traveling daughters the age of yours, I might include the islands for several nights, especially to see the volcano of Stromboli. If your trip consisted of Cefalu, Polizzi Generoso and the Aeolian islands, you would have quite an adventure of Sicily.
I see that you want to include Malta, but I'm not sure why. In August, it is likely to literally overrun with cruise shippers and even cheaper package tours. Anywhere you go with a coastline you will find the waterside packed with vacationers, but the amount of time and energy you will consume getting to Malta might not have much of a pay-off. If it is high on your wish list, don't let me talk you out of it, but you might find the islands closer to Cefalu more fun.
Someplace like this might be nice for your stay in Polizzi Generoso.
Polizzi Generoso is certainly off the tourist map and you should give yourself relaxing days there. Fortunately, it is in the Madonie mountains, which is one of the cooler parts of Sicily in August, so you are unlikely to get an argument from your teens about the fun of being there. In addition to staying in a place with a pool and air conditioning, if anybody in your family likes horse back riding, it is popular in that area. This might also give you some ideas if you haven't already seen it.
http://www.sicilianexperience.com/hi...izzi&lingua=en
You don't say what else you did in Sicily during your last visit, but were I traveling daughters the age of yours, I might include the islands for several nights, especially to see the volcano of Stromboli. If your trip consisted of Cefalu, Polizzi Generoso and the Aeolian islands, you would have quite an adventure of Sicily.
I see that you want to include Malta, but I'm not sure why. In August, it is likely to literally overrun with cruise shippers and even cheaper package tours. Anywhere you go with a coastline you will find the waterside packed with vacationers, but the amount of time and energy you will consume getting to Malta might not have much of a pay-off. If it is high on your wish list, don't let me talk you out of it, but you might find the islands closer to Cefalu more fun.
Someplace like this might be nice for your stay in Polizzi Generoso.
Dec 9th, 2012 | 06:58 AM
#15
Joined: Dec 2012
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Dec 9th, 2012 | 07:02 AM
#16
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Dec 9th, 2012 | 07:52 AM
#17
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 57,091
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Dickie - Alternatively, just take Easyjet Bristol to Rome, spend a week near Ortobello which is around a 90 minute drive up the coast. Then back to Rome and Blu Express have cheap as chips flights to Catania. On the last day just do Catania to Rome to Bristol.>>
great idea, only from memory the flight times don't work. I think that we'd probably only give Pisa to Orbetello 3-4 days as we've seen the area between Pisa and Siena before. Though your suggestion looks very nice. I'd like to stay in Orbetello again, I think because of the restaurants and shops - we like to stay somewhere where there are things to look at and do in the evening, and not to have to drive and drink!
<<With only 2 weeks, stick to Sicily. Take your time and really enjoy it. It seems that with every trip that I plan, I slow things down a bit more.>>
Ian - I'd agree wholeheartedly if we could fly straight from Bristol to Sicily. sadly this isn't possible and London is 6 hours drive from here, necessitating an overnight stay somewhere - either this end, or the other, before we can set off. So I am trying to work out ways that we can do it so as to maximise interest with convenience. There have been some interesting threads about Naples recently, so a couple of days there at the end of the trip might be fun.
if we are restricted to 10 days in Sicily, i think that we might fly into and out of Catania - it is the south-east area around Modica and Ragusa that we are most interested in.
andreadee - please excuse me hi-jacking your thread!
I have to say that were I going to Sicily with teenage girls, i would pick places where there is something to do in the evening - if they are anything like my DD, places in the country will bore them rigid. they need shops and a swimming pool to be happy, and if they are happy, you will be too.
great idea, only from memory the flight times don't work. I think that we'd probably only give Pisa to Orbetello 3-4 days as we've seen the area between Pisa and Siena before. Though your suggestion looks very nice. I'd like to stay in Orbetello again, I think because of the restaurants and shops - we like to stay somewhere where there are things to look at and do in the evening, and not to have to drive and drink!
<<With only 2 weeks, stick to Sicily. Take your time and really enjoy it. It seems that with every trip that I plan, I slow things down a bit more.>>
Ian - I'd agree wholeheartedly if we could fly straight from Bristol to Sicily. sadly this isn't possible and London is 6 hours drive from here, necessitating an overnight stay somewhere - either this end, or the other, before we can set off. So I am trying to work out ways that we can do it so as to maximise interest with convenience. There have been some interesting threads about Naples recently, so a couple of days there at the end of the trip might be fun.
if we are restricted to 10 days in Sicily, i think that we might fly into and out of Catania - it is the south-east area around Modica and Ragusa that we are most interested in.
andreadee - please excuse me hi-jacking your thread!
I have to say that were I going to Sicily with teenage girls, i would pick places where there is something to do in the evening - if they are anything like my DD, places in the country will bore them rigid. they need shops and a swimming pool to be happy, and if they are happy, you will be too.
Dec 9th, 2012 | 07:02 PM
#18
Joined: Apr 2011
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Summer in Sicily can be pretty hot and humid. Everyone seems to be on vacation from mid-August through the beginning of August and if they can afford to get away these days, the beach areas will be crowded. If you can go early in the summer, the weather may be a bit better.
Dec 9th, 2012 | 07:08 PM
#19
Joined: Apr 2011
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oops i meant mid august through early September
if you have not been there .. Agrigento for the Greek temples, and Syracuse for the ancient sites and old part of town; Taormina for the shops , and sites, and nearby beaches..Cefalu is a lovely town.
if you have not been there .. Agrigento for the Greek temples, and Syracuse for the ancient sites and old part of town; Taormina for the shops , and sites, and nearby beaches..Cefalu is a lovely town.
Dec 10th, 2012 | 03:29 AM
#20
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2010
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This morning I briefly reviewed all of the contributions and decided I needed to return to my computer when I have more time.....
Bobthenavigator...thank you! I went to your 2005 info and decided that I must print it and save for specifics. Each morning I will attack the other contributions but thank you in advance.
I am not sure if I will start in Palarmo (I have relatives there and they take over your vacation... which was wonderful but I don't think I need as much time in Palermo this time.)I did notice that there was no mention of Mondello. Mondello was a place we deemed one of the most beautiful we have ever witnessed. That is one place we want to return as we only spent 1 evening there....
Polizzi is where the other part of my family is from and we absolutely LOVED IT! We stayed in the coolest place and would return there). That visit will be again to see family but this time I want to really explore the little village and shop in the small stores.
I'm thinking we start in Palermo...hit cefalu...Polizzi...then work east to southwest and hop on a ferry to Malta...My grandmother was from there...I feel I need to visit it at least once. I hear 2 nights is enough. The trip is in june or july...not August so I hope it is less crazy. Can't wait to read more...thx.
Bobthenavigator...thank you! I went to your 2005 info and decided that I must print it and save for specifics. Each morning I will attack the other contributions but thank you in advance.
I am not sure if I will start in Palarmo (I have relatives there and they take over your vacation... which was wonderful but I don't think I need as much time in Palermo this time.)I did notice that there was no mention of Mondello. Mondello was a place we deemed one of the most beautiful we have ever witnessed. That is one place we want to return as we only spent 1 evening there....
Polizzi is where the other part of my family is from and we absolutely LOVED IT! We stayed in the coolest place and would return there). That visit will be again to see family but this time I want to really explore the little village and shop in the small stores.
I'm thinking we start in Palermo...hit cefalu...Polizzi...then work east to southwest and hop on a ferry to Malta...My grandmother was from there...I feel I need to visit it at least once. I hear 2 nights is enough. The trip is in june or july...not August so I hope it is less crazy. Can't wait to read more...thx.
