laurieco

That should be get the map out!

laurieco

adrienne, that viamichelin.com is fabulous. Thanks so much!!

thursdaysd

You'll want to see the mosaics on the way to Agrigento. You could do Taormina from Catania - the view and the theater are worth seeing but it's horrendously touristy. You could add the night to Siracusa, go up to Erice, visit Trapani....

laurieco

There is just too much to see in one trip. I have to resign myself to the fact that we will miss a lot. I'm reading now about Erice and Trapani. I'm also considering Selinunte. All three would be on the way to the airport where we can dump the car and take the bus or train into Palermo. We leave 2 weeks from today. I can't believe I waited so long to do this. It's not like me at all to wait.

adrienne

laurie - If you're considering Erice read the book Bitter Almonds. The woman that the book is about is still in the shop she created (I met her when I was there). Her story is amazing, especially for the times.

I think the view from the public gardens in Taormina is even better than from the theater.
View from the gardens:
http://modigliani.shutterfly.com/sicily2011/216

View from the theater:
http://modigliani.shutterfly.com/sicily2011/213

ann - thanks. Z will be back under a different name. She never goes away for long.

laurieco

Wow, those are both great shots adrienne. Etna has been very active this month. Great videos of eruptions have been posted. I just hope no one is in danger. I don't have the best track record. When I was in Jogjakarta, Indonesia, there was a major earthquake that killed over 6000 people. We were in an elevator when it struck. I hope Etna behaves herself and just puts on a good show.

laurieco

Can't rent a car from Syracuse. And can only rent one way from an airport. Looks like we have to go to the airport near Catania from Taormina and pick up the car there. May have to change the Hotel in Syracuse since they charge for parking. I need to find out how much.

thursdaysd

You don't need or want a car in Siracusa. You can day trip to Noto by bus (see my TR). Where are you looking that you can't rent a car in Siracusa?

annhig

ann - thanks. Z will be back under a different name. She never goes away for long.>>

she did come back for a while under a different name, but the tone was unmistakable.

then that persona disappeared as well, as so far as I can tell, she's not returned. Perhaps she is imparting her unrivalled knowledge over on the "Dark Side" [aka Frommer's}.

Laurico - i think that there is a huge car park in Siracuse/Orteyga - where most people staying there park, called Talete. you could perhaps drop your things off and then park there?

laurieco

thursdaysd, I was just looking on Expedia. I figured it would be the easiest way to see what is available and prices charged.

laurieco

I'm doing some searches and it seems that you can rent a car in Syracuse, but not one way. At least I haven't found anything saying so.

adrienne

Check AutoEurope and Economy Car Rental. I had booked a car through Economy as it was the best rate but I canceled it since I didn't need it. Both companies have a wonderful cancellation policy - cancel any time up to the rental day.

laurieco

adrienne, thank you so so much. AutoEurope will allow a pick up in Siracusa (may as well start spelling it correctly) and drop off in either Palermo or at the airport. We'll probably choose the airport rather than try and figure out how to get to downtown Palermo. You have been such a big help. Everybody has given good advice. I feel so much better about this trip. This is our 25th anniversary trip so I want it to be special.

adrienne

Happy Anniversary! I'm sure you'll have a great time. Hope Etna puts on a show for you!

One of my recommendations for Palermo is to see a puppet show. I know it sounds cheesy and I was doubtful but if you want to be a child again for a little while and have a great time then see one of the Sicilian puppet shows. You won't regret it!

For AutoEurope you need to pay ahead and get a voucher to guarantee the price.

laurieco

I just reserved the car but didn't pay yet. DH will go over the details since he will be driving. I'll pay when I get the okay. I only have one night left to figure out!

The puppet show actually sounds like fun.

dutyfree

I am so honked as I just spent over 15 minutes writing you a great tip sheet for Sicily and lost the darn thing with me hitting the wrong button?
Anyway,Try and get in the Hotel Roma which is the direct center of town in Ortigia by the Duomo. If it is filled then the wonderful Hotel Gutowski is another choice but further away.The Cafe Minerva is right near it for great coffees/teas and sweets along with people watching.There is a terrific real Sicilian family restaurant called Yaz right across from Minerva that has wonderfully made homecook Sicilian meals.
Try to walk the Lungamare(seafront wall) where over 4000 ships are at the bottom of the harbor and also one of the puppet shows on the island for some fun.

May I suggest stopping at either Marsala or Trapani after Agrigento on your way up to Palermo? Marsala's town is on the water and gears to winemaking,etc.-lots of wonderful restaurants and shops. Trapani is home to the magnificent salt flats out in the water and is definitely worth a stopover to tour it-about an hour.

Palermo didn't do much for me as it reminded me of NYC but then I am from Chicago? I love the small and quaint Sicilian towns where people treat you with friendship and caring-have literally had people drop their groceries to walk us someplace OR call a cousin to open their restaurant earlier because our flight was leaving early in the morning.
The Sicilians are a family oriented and hospitable people-you will absolutely love your time there. Enjoy!

ahotpoet

Hi laurieco
I have been planning my trip to Sicily as well and was wondering if you had considered going to Cefalu as a day trip from Palermo? Then maybe you might want to spend the extra night in Palermo and you would not have to move around as much. It is a hard decision but I think you are wise already to realize you have to go back to Sicily before you even get there.
I can't wait. You will have a blast and so will I.

kja

> 2 nights Catania with possible side trip to Mt. Etna
1 night Taormina
2 nights in Syracuse, side trip to Noto
1 night Agrigento
1 night..?
3 nights Palermo

If I'm counting the DAYS right, you don't have a lot of time anywhere. But maybe I'm not following....

With only 10 nights, you'll need to be selective. The good news is that you'll see some amazing things no matter what you choose!

laurieco

Lots of great advice here. I think we are going to spend the night before going to Palermo near Selinunte. I also considered staying 2 nights in Agrigento to have enough time there. I want to stop at Villa Romano Del Casale on our way from Siracusa to Agrigento, but I think with the later part of the afternoon and evening, and the following morning, it should be enough. We may stay a bit outside of Selinunte, in Menfi. It's very close to the ruins and will be something different and relaxing.

This will be a lot of moving around. We haven't done a trip like this in quite some time. We drove through Ireland for two weeks a long time ago and except for Dublin, never spent more than a night or two in one place. It was fun though, and surprisingly relaxing.

laurieco

Well, the last of the hotels are now reserved. I decided to stay near Selinunte at the The B&B Villa Sogno. It looks really unique and delightful, is close to the ruins and only a little over an hour to Palermo Airport, so we could dump the car and get the bus or train to Palermo.

Thanks to everyone who gave advice. I appreciate all of it, even if I didn't follow it all. It helped me choose what to do and I am grateful for that. Maybe I'll even do a trip report. If you have any restaurant recommendations, please feel free to chime in!