Because I am arriving in Sicily by boat from Malta and have to rent a car in Pozzaallo, I think I have to spend the first night, not in Siracusa, but in Ragusa or Noto. So here's the question: if I have to choose one,only one, should it be Ragusa or Noto, and can you recomment hotels. Thanks.

Any chance you can do Modica? I had a great experience there in a b&b called L'Orangerie, which is also directly over a destination restaurant, Fattoria delle Torre.

However, if it must be either Ragusa or Noto, I think I'd give the slight edge to Ragusa (the old town is called Ragusa Ibli) because it has better food.

That said, Noto's got great food too!

It's really hard to go wrong. When I was in Noto, many of the major monuments were under scaffolding. It was a major renovation project, scheduled to last years. (The Duomo in Ortygia is currently being renovated, I've heard.) So maybe it's more rewarding to stay in Ragusa.

Since you will have a car, it kind of makes sense to stay outside the "centro storico" of these places, but I actually had no trouble finding parking in April. I'm not sure what would happen in peak season (if that's when you're going) but most of these places are very good in helping you find parking.

My recommendation is that you do a google search for "bed breaksfast Ragusa" or "bed breakfast Noto" and pick on the basis of what appeals to you most in terms of accommodations.

Don't think for a second that you can't get to Siracusa right away. Were I going back to Sicily, I'd be tempted to stay the whole week in that region, and only day trip to Siracusa for its historic artifacts.

Have a great time!

PS: Now that I think about it, I'm almost sure I'd stay in Ragusa over Noto (although Modica might still be my first choice). My reason for saying this is that Noto can easily be visited (and should be) in a morning or afternoon, whereas you might want to give a little more time to Ragusa. Spending the night there would give you a chance to walk around its atmospheric alleyways, and in the morning you could see its church. The food is so good you might even want to stay for lunch!

But like I said, they are all beautiful and fascinating.

Well, Nessie and I often see the same places thru different eyes. I would prefer Noto--much easier to access and very walkable. I seem to recall a B&B named " Teatro" perhaps. Do a google under " B&B Teatro" and see what you get. You may enjoy my Sicily photo gallery at slowtrav.com---some good shots in Noto.

Not really, Bob. My thinking in recommending Ragusa for the overnight is that it is harder to apprecaite as a daytrip -- which is another way of saying what you're saying about accessibility.

Any updates on the scaffolding situation in Noto?

Thanks to you both, but please don't fight! (kidding). I still can't decide. It seems as if you have to sleep in the newer upper Ragusa and walk up and down very very steep steps. I will check into Modica too; thankns. Anyone else have an opinion?

Humanone,

Do a google search for B&Bs in Ragusa. I think there are some in the centro storico.

Ragusa is steep. Parts of Noto are too. So are parts of Modica!

Bob and I don't fight. Don't worry.