Sicily - Itinerary suggestions
Feb 8th, 2016, 08:40 AM
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Sicily - Itinerary suggestions
We will be in Sicily for about 12 nights in April, flying into Palermo and out of Catania. We have a car rental arranged and have booked our 1st three nights in Palermo and the next three nights in an agritourismo in Realmonte, near Agrigento.
My husb and I are both pretty experienced and flexible travelers, love history and just lots of local color. We don't want any chain hotel but are past the hostel age. Our budget is about $100/night for hotels - maybe a bit more if it's fab.
We think we'll spend our last three nights in Syracuse, probably Ortigia but need to spend a few nights someplace between Agrigento and Syracuse. Ragusa? Noto?
Is there any place of interest between Syracuse and Catania Airport, but not the city itself? We could make that the last few nights of the trip.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Kate
My husb and I are both pretty experienced and flexible travelers, love history and just lots of local color. We don't want any chain hotel but are past the hostel age. Our budget is about $100/night for hotels - maybe a bit more if it's fab.
We think we'll spend our last three nights in Syracuse, probably Ortigia but need to spend a few nights someplace between Agrigento and Syracuse. Ragusa? Noto?
Is there any place of interest between Syracuse and Catania Airport, but not the city itself? We could make that the last few nights of the trip.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.
Kate
Feb 8th, 2016, 05:00 PM
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Depending on your interests, you might want at least one more night in Palermo. It certainly boasts loads of history and a LOT of local color! Be sure to visit the Cathedral in Monreale. And don't pick up your rental car until you are ready to leave the city!
Consider visiting Segesta and / or Selininunte on your way to Realmonte.
I'm not sure if it will meet your budget, but check out L'Approdo delle Sirene in Ortygia -- I adored it, and it still gets wonderful reviews.
http://www.apprododellesirene.com
Between Agrigento and Siracusa, consider visiting the magnificent Villa Romana del Casala in Piazza Armerina. It's a remarkable and very special place! I spent nights in Enna, Caltagirone, and Noto, and found merit to each, but am not sure any of them would make a good base for 3 nights. I depends on what you want to see and experience on that leg of your journey.
For a place between Siracusa and Catania, most people will direct you to Taormina. The views are fantastic, but the hoards of daytrippers can be extremely unpleasant.
If I'm counting right, you're running out of nights: 3 (Palermo) + 3 (Realmonte) + 3 (Siracusa) + "a few" between Agrigento and Syracuse + "a few" between Siracusa and Catania adds up to more than 12 by my reckoning.
Sicily is a fascinating destination -- hope that helps!
Consider visiting Segesta and / or Selininunte on your way to Realmonte.
I'm not sure if it will meet your budget, but check out L'Approdo delle Sirene in Ortygia -- I adored it, and it still gets wonderful reviews.
http://www.apprododellesirene.com
Between Agrigento and Siracusa, consider visiting the magnificent Villa Romana del Casala in Piazza Armerina. It's a remarkable and very special place! I spent nights in Enna, Caltagirone, and Noto, and found merit to each, but am not sure any of them would make a good base for 3 nights. I depends on what you want to see and experience on that leg of your journey.
For a place between Siracusa and Catania, most people will direct you to Taormina. The views are fantastic, but the hoards of daytrippers can be extremely unpleasant.
If I'm counting right, you're running out of nights: 3 (Palermo) + 3 (Realmonte) + 3 (Siracusa) + "a few" between Agrigento and Syracuse + "a few" between Siracusa and Catania adds up to more than 12 by my reckoning.
Sicily is a fascinating destination -- hope that helps!
Feb 8th, 2016, 11:55 PM
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I absolutely second Villa Romana in Piazza Armerina.
Since you'll be around Agrigento, and in the spring, I think it's worth the while to stop off at Scala dei Turchi in addition to the usual Valle Dei Templi.
In Noto I stayed at a GREAT little B&B, very romantic, quaint roof top breakfast area. It was called Vinci. Nino is the owner, very nice guy, and speaks English. www.bedandbreakfastvinci.it. Also a GREAT restaurant to try, not touristy, is Trattoria Giufa'.
You really must see the Baroque cities Noto, Ragusa, Syracusa, as you had implied. Modica is also quite lovely.
If you have the time, think about heading north west of Palermo to Scopello - Parco Dello Zingaro, and the medieval town of Erice. 100% worth the trip.
One piece of advice. If you have never traveled Sicily by car, be careful to follow the rules of the road (while most won't) and radars. Always drive the speed limit because Sicily is full of them. And make sure you are defensive drivers. When people pass you on the road they get VERY close, don't let that worry you, they're pretty good at it. I live in Rome and driving is tough, but Sicily takes it to another level.
Let me know if you need restaurant or sight seeing suggestions in Palermo or throughout.
Best
Laura
Since you'll be around Agrigento, and in the spring, I think it's worth the while to stop off at Scala dei Turchi in addition to the usual Valle Dei Templi.
In Noto I stayed at a GREAT little B&B, very romantic, quaint roof top breakfast area. It was called Vinci. Nino is the owner, very nice guy, and speaks English. www.bedandbreakfastvinci.it. Also a GREAT restaurant to try, not touristy, is Trattoria Giufa'.
You really must see the Baroque cities Noto, Ragusa, Syracusa, as you had implied. Modica is also quite lovely.
If you have the time, think about heading north west of Palermo to Scopello - Parco Dello Zingaro, and the medieval town of Erice. 100% worth the trip.
One piece of advice. If you have never traveled Sicily by car, be careful to follow the rules of the road (while most won't) and radars. Always drive the speed limit because Sicily is full of them. And make sure you are defensive drivers. When people pass you on the road they get VERY close, don't let that worry you, they're pretty good at it. I live in Rome and driving is tough, but Sicily takes it to another level.
Let me know if you need restaurant or sight seeing suggestions in Palermo or throughout.
Best
Laura
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