Sicily trip April--itin help
Nov 22nd, 2004, 07:53 PM
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Sicily trip April--itin help
Hi,
My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy in May. We will spend 2 nights in Rome then fly to Sicily for 5 or 6 nights. We do not want to rent a car, so do you think we should spend all of our time on one side of the island? I'm thinking of flying in and out of Catania, and splitting up time between Syracusa and Taormina and perhaps some of the smaller towns if we can hire a driver. I had intended to fly into Palermo and out of Catania, but i'm not sure we have enough time to cover all of that.
Any feedback on the itinerary or things we shouldn't miss would be greatly appreciated!
My husband and I are planning a trip to Italy in May. We will spend 2 nights in Rome then fly to Sicily for 5 or 6 nights. We do not want to rent a car, so do you think we should spend all of our time on one side of the island? I'm thinking of flying in and out of Catania, and splitting up time between Syracusa and Taormina and perhaps some of the smaller towns if we can hire a driver. I had intended to fly into Palermo and out of Catania, but i'm not sure we have enough time to cover all of that.
Any feedback on the itinerary or things we shouldn't miss would be greatly appreciated!
Nov 23rd, 2004, 12:18 AM
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it all depends what kind of travel you want; leisurely or wanting to see it all...
last april we were in sicily for a week, and had two places we stayed at; one near the southern point of the island, the other near taormina and we liked visiting the surounding area that way.
i'm sure you'll enjoy your trip; sicily is beautiful - especcially in spring !
last april we were in sicily for a week, and had two places we stayed at; one near the southern point of the island, the other near taormina and we liked visiting the surounding area that way.
i'm sure you'll enjoy your trip; sicily is beautiful - especcially in spring !
Nov 23rd, 2004, 08:29 AM
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Thanks lotje. We are hoping to have more of a leisurely trip. Did you rent a car? I think it would be nice to only have 2 bases to stay at like you did--i don't want to feel like we are rushing around and having to pack and unpack each night.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 08:58 AM
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My only comment is that I rented a car in Sicily and had no problem whatsoever with the roads, traffic or other drivers. I always like the feeling of being free to take off and do what I want when I want.
I only did the west side of the Island when I was there and I long to go around the other side. The best thing I saw was Agrigento (fabulous Greek ruins) on the southern side. That and locating my cousins in their tiny town of Sambucca di Sicilia.
Have a great trip.
I only did the west side of the Island when I was there and I long to go around the other side. The best thing I saw was Agrigento (fabulous Greek ruins) on the southern side. That and locating my cousins in their tiny town of Sambucca di Sicilia.
Have a great trip.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:29 AM
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I've only been in february but you're welcome to my notes if they are of use - some of the urls may be if nothing else. mail me on [email protected] if yo want them.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:43 AM
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Please see my previous posting: "Siracusa Daytrip from Taormina" which gives you an idea of public transportation options if you're based only in one city.
Otherwise, you could split your trip between Taormina and Siracusa, and perhaps visit Ragusa as a daytrip out of Siracusa.
Otherwise, you could split your trip between Taormina and Siracusa, and perhaps visit Ragusa as a daytrip out of Siracusa.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 09:56 AM
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We will be spending 15 days in sicily in May. I have been doing my homework and we have 5 destinations picked. However, with your time I would stay east and visit the areas you mention. From Taormina you may want to hire a day trip excursion to Mt. Etna. Catania is halfway between, so I would split the time but start in Taormina. We will be driving.
Nov 23rd, 2004, 05:32 PM
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You can get around in Sicily by public transportation but it is much much easier to rent a car and easier with 2 bases rather than one. Most trains from Taormina to Palermo take 5 hours that is 10hrs just travel time to and from Palermo. Not much time to explore. Driving it is 2 1/2hrs. It is even more difficult for smaller towns Agrigento is over 6 hrs each way from Taormina. Spring is the best time to visit Etna IMHO.
Nov 26th, 2004, 05:24 AM
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Good morning, would suggest that you fly into Palermo, staying about 2 nights, seeing Palermo, Moneale and possibly Cefalu, then would rent a car
from Palermo to Catania it is just over a three hour drive and and all expressway, then turn
the car in at the airport, taking public transportation from the airport to your hotel and public transport to visit Taormina and Siracuse and fly ...
out of Catania... Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..
from Palermo to Catania it is just over a three hour drive and and all expressway, then turn
the car in at the airport, taking public transportation from the airport to your hotel and public transport to visit Taormina and Siracuse and fly ...
out of Catania... Richard of LaGrange Park, Il..
Nov 26th, 2004, 09:12 AM
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Last year I spent a week in Sicily. If you want to get some itinary ideas for the West coast and Palermo, check out my website at http://www.wired2theworld.com/sicily2003.html
I saw the east side of the island for a week in 1998. You can also see that trip on my website.
I also recommend renting a car for greater flexability.
Have a great trip!
I saw the east side of the island for a week in 1998. You can also see that trip on my website.
I also recommend renting a car for greater flexability.
Have a great trip!
Nov 28th, 2004, 09:58 PM
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I also meant to ask..does anyone know about a good way to hire a driver, if we wanted to stay at an agriturismo or see some of the smaller towns? Is it something i would do when i arrive or is it best to somehow arrange this before we go? thanks again!
Jan 26th, 2005, 04:54 PM
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What car rental agencies are you using in Catania? Are you all flying from Rome to Catania or doing the train/ferry thing? Our family is now planning on going to check out a possible school for my daughter next spring so we thought that we would put together a family vacation along with checking the school out...okay-its really a good excuse to go to Sicily! Any hotels that anyone wants to recommend in Catania,Siracusa or surrounding areas? Thanks!
Jan 27th, 2005, 02:09 AM
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hello,
on several occasions we had a broker for car rental, we also used it in sicily and in spain last summer, it is called nova rentacar- we were absolutely happy with their service on both occasions. Their website is clear, and states what is and what isn't included in the rates.
You just need to watch out that the local company where you pick up your car, honours all the advantages they offer you !
enjoy your trip !
on several occasions we had a broker for car rental, we also used it in sicily and in spain last summer, it is called nova rentacar- we were absolutely happy with their service on both occasions. Their website is clear, and states what is and what isn't included in the rates.
You just need to watch out that the local company where you pick up your car, honours all the advantages they offer you !
enjoy your trip !
Jan 27th, 2005, 02:46 AM
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Hi Nornie,
My husband and I visited Sicily for a week last summer. If you want to see the trip report I wrote, it's at: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34528178
We did not use a car. We visited Palermo (day trips to Monreale [on our own on the local bus], and Piazza Armerina & Agrigento as a tour with an excursion company), then went to Siracusa (day trip to lovely Noto, also possible to do day trip to Ragusa, but we didn't), and then we went to Taormina for just one night.
I wanted to respond to your question about Palermo. I didn't expect to, it being a big city and all, but I REALLY liked Palermo, just beauty all around in the architecture and so on (even though some parts were dirty, and it is a big city with lots of traffic, etc). My husband and I just walked around, and every few blocks would find a pretty fountain, or something. Also, the chapel at nearby Monreale (as well as its cloisters) are not be missed, in my opinion. The Capella Palatina in Palermo is also a really beautiful sight.
In terms of transportation, we typically went by bus and had no problem, and were able to see quite a lot, I think, in one week, without running absolute crazy. Doing a tour that took us to two sights in one day was helpful, I think. We did not make it to the western part of the island, however. We flew into Palermo, and out of Catania (which is less than 1.5 hours away from Taormina by bus).
Enjoy Sicily!
My husband and I visited Sicily for a week last summer. If you want to see the trip report I wrote, it's at: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34528178
We did not use a car. We visited Palermo (day trips to Monreale [on our own on the local bus], and Piazza Armerina & Agrigento as a tour with an excursion company), then went to Siracusa (day trip to lovely Noto, also possible to do day trip to Ragusa, but we didn't), and then we went to Taormina for just one night.
I wanted to respond to your question about Palermo. I didn't expect to, it being a big city and all, but I REALLY liked Palermo, just beauty all around in the architecture and so on (even though some parts were dirty, and it is a big city with lots of traffic, etc). My husband and I just walked around, and every few blocks would find a pretty fountain, or something. Also, the chapel at nearby Monreale (as well as its cloisters) are not be missed, in my opinion. The Capella Palatina in Palermo is also a really beautiful sight.
In terms of transportation, we typically went by bus and had no problem, and were able to see quite a lot, I think, in one week, without running absolute crazy. Doing a tour that took us to two sights in one day was helpful, I think. We did not make it to the western part of the island, however. We flew into Palermo, and out of Catania (which is less than 1.5 hours away from Taormina by bus).
Enjoy Sicily!
Jan 27th, 2005, 09:13 AM
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If its April you are going then be sure to check out easter Week full of events, religious and festive.Especially in Alcamo, Caltanissetta, Castelvetrano, Enna, Erice, Marsala, Messina, Milazzo, Noto, Piana degli Albanesi, Prizzi, Ragusa, Scicli, and Trapani. They have the best ones IMO!
