Sicily mainland - advice on a 6 night itinerary out of Palermo
 

Hello All,
We're sailing around the Aegadian islands for a week in August and then have 6 days to spend on the mainland before taking a ferry from Palermo.
Neither of us have been to Sicily before so any advice on an itin would be much appreciated. We don't want to try to do too much, as I'm sure we'll be back another time!
My initial thoughts were either:
2 nights Palemo/3 nights Taormina (doing Etna from there)/1 night Cefalu and popping to Monrele before taking the overnight ferry.
Or
2 nights Palermo/2 nights Taormina/2 nights Siracusa (Ortigia)- but I suspect that is trying to do too much.
For this trip we'd like a bit of culture but more R and R and just soaking it all up. I'm pregnant so may not feel like long days walking around ruins, hence thinking we should maybe save Siracusa for next time.
Any thoughts much appreciated!
Thanks

Cefalu is only about an hour from Palermo on the train. It will take more time to move lodging. Palermo is closer to Monreale than is Cefalu. You won't even know that you've left Palermo.

I wouldn't stay in Taormmina. It's a nice town but a couple of hours is more than enough.

I loved Palermo - lots to see and do and I think it's worth more than 1 day. You don't need to move at a fast pace; I don't think I saw any one moving quickly in Palermo.

If you're sailing for a week won't that give you all the R&R you need? See some of the sights. There's more to Sicily than ruins.

Hi lillibet,

I just came back from 3 1/2 weeks in Sicily, my first trip there. I might recommend a couple places that were very beautiful and relaxing and would provide a complete switch from the sailing portion of your trip. Pick one of these and stay 2 nights there rather than Taormina (which was mobbed even in late April when I was there).

Look at La Foresteria Planeta Estate, near Menfi and near Selinute temple site. I loved this place and they have a pool for August relaxing.

Also look at Agritourismo Gigiotto between Piazza Armerina and Catalgirone. They also have a pool and beautiful scenery.

La Foresteria is definitely more luxurious **** and would probably be quieter for relaxing.

I LOVED Ortygia! Skip the Siracusa Arch Park if they have not completed the removal of temp wooden benches for the Greek drama season, which I was told ends at the end of June. Be sure to ask before paying! Do see the museum - excellent!

Click on my name if you want to read the whole report.

Buon viaggio!

Oops, it's Gigliotto.

Ortigia(the old town portion of Siracusa) is fabulous and should not be missed.I would definitely try and go to the Siracusa theatre and park as the ruins are on a grand scale. Hotel Roma is directly in the center of the town right next to the duoma and is a good stay.
Taormina is beautiful but is really full of the cruise ship and tour crowd and I cannot imagine spending several days there as it is packed and hard to walk around-read way too touristy.
Palermo reminds me of a dirty New York so I didn't enjoy it compared to other cities that I loved-Trapani,Marsala,Agrigento,etc. You will love Sicily-one of my favorite countries to go to.

dutyfree - I couldn't help wondering if you were on my Rome - JFK flight....5/12, 1:00pm departure from FCO? Was that you up in Business Class-land? I almost walked up and asked, because one of the flight attendants looked just as I have always pictured you! :-)

Ciao bella,
Dayle

Dear all,
Thanks so much for the quick and helpful responses. Looks like Taormina is out! Or at least relegated to a lunch stop. I'm going to check out your other suggestions now.
Thanks
Liz

We loved both Palermo and Taormina. We were in Sicily in late September and did not find Taormina as crowded as so many seem to indicate. The Agritourismo Gigliotto is a very relaxing place from which to visit piazza Armerina. We stayed for 2 days and really enjoyed it.

bookmarking

Taormina is my favorite destination in Sicily--do not miss it.