Alison,

I thought you would be back by now. I can't wait to read your report and all your impressions/experiences! I hope you had good weather. It seems the weather further north has been extremely rainy!

Enjoyed your report very much. Brought back some great memories.
Glad you enjoyed Hotel Taodomus in Taormina. We paid a tad more for an upgraded room which has a bigger shower, FYI for anyone else who interested.

Thank you for this wonderful trip report. My husband and I are going to Sicily later in September and your report is a huge help.

theatrelover,

I'm glad you found it helpful! That is why we all do this after all. I really, really look forward to your trip report and hearing all about your adventures and impressions.

sundried,
I didn't need a bigger shower, just a bigger bathroom! The awkward arrangement of the tiny bathroom had the square base of the shower sticking out into the middle of the room. I took a step back from the sink, tripped on the base of the shower stall and fell into the shower! Luckily I didn't hit my head or have an injury. Felt like a klutz, and I'm not usually!

Thankfully the bed was comfy and the room quiet later at night. The breakfast room views are fantastic!

OMG, I can't believe I missed this report! Thanks for posting, Dayle, and thanks for the kind words.

I'm glad you enjoyed (most) of your time in Sicily, and found it fascinating to read of the ways in which some of your experiences were like, or not like, mine.

I didn't experience the problems with uncleared trash that you did, but I do remember reading someone else's trip report that included a comment that was something like: "If Sicillians were as good at removing trash as we are, they probably wouldn't still have the magnificent ruins of Segesta, Selinuta, etc." Hmm... didn't know I'd ever find a reason to tolerate uncleared trash, but that one gave me pause!

kja,

Glad you saw it! I really did love Sicily and the people. Thanks again for all your valuable input in the planning stage.

Yes, I was really surprised myself that I didn't love Palermo because I was expecting to. I didn't hate it, but it just didn't capture me like Rome and Naples did.

There was very little I would have changed about my trip. I probably would have stayed 2 nights at Planeta in Menfi just because it was SO nice, and taken that one night from Scicli. One night would have been enough there, as it's small and not all that much to see.

Wish I was there right now!

Ciao,
Dayle

> Wish I was there right now!

LOL, Dayle, it's August! I, for one, am OK with not being there now.

Every time I see a thread on Sicily, and see your responses, I can't help but smile because your enjoyment of your time in Sicily shines through EVERY word you write about your time there, even years later. I love that, Dayle, and it makes me smile for you, and for the memories you bring to my mind. And I love the gentleness with with you offer your fond memories for other's consideration. Awesome!

Thanks so much!

What a surprise to see this old TR up this morning!

Thanks for the nice words Kja. I may take a break tonight after work and re-read it for a little treat. So many life worries right now that it's good to have these priceless memories to enjoy!

Another good reason to do trip reports!

Grazie Mille kja

Hi Dayle
What a lengthy and informative report. I will have to print it out and then address questions I have. I had certainly noted Aprillacs report when I began planning our trip a couple of years ago. Things got in the way and the trip was cancelled twice. We are now planned to leave on 5 April. Will pm you either here on on TA with my questions. Regards from Melbourne.

Hi Dayle,

I just wanted to say thank you for your great TR. I've been planning my own trip in September [sadly only 10 nights so we are flying into and out of Catania and concentrating on the eastern side of the island] and I found this via Prolog's thread on whether she should stay in Modica or Noto.

So interesting because we will be visiting many of the same places.

we will be starting with 3 nights in Ortygia but we are still trying to decide whether to visit Catania en route from the airport; our plane arrives at 10.30 [we are flying from Bristol so it's only a 2 hour flight] so we definitely have enough time if we want to go, and if we go whether to rent car or go by bus. If we do the latter there is the question of what to do with our luggage; if we do the former, I'm concerned about leaving it in the car while we look round Catania.

Then we have a couple of nights in Ragusa, another 2 in Agrigento, and finally 3 nights in Taormina [or rather at the Villa Sonia in Castlemola] before we have a mid-morning flight home.

En route we are hoping to see the nature reserve near Noto, the mosaics at the Villa Romana and the ceramic steps in Caltagrione - is there anything else that we might be by passing that you think we should stop and visit?


Thanks again for posting such a detailed and helpful TR - I'm sure that it will come in useful.

Hi Ann,

You know I've been following you planning and am just so excited for you! Think you are really doing a great job limiting your trip to what is practical for 10 days. I'm insanely jealous that it only takes you 2 hours to get to Sicily. It took me about 24 hours of straight travel and 2 connections. Sigh.

I didn't choose to visit Catania because Palermo was enough for me as far as cities. My Sicily trip was mainly focused on the Aeolian Islands and the Greek Temples sites.

If it were me, I would find out if the bus terminal has left luggage. If so, you could leave it there while you visit Catania. Then I would train to Siracusa/Ortigia. Pick up your car as you leave Ortigia and drop it at Taormina, if possible.

You don't need a car in Ortigia, but you will want it between there and Taormina, definitely.

As you probably saw in my TR, I did take the risk of leaving my luggage in the car twice - at Caltagione and Vendicari. Turned out OK and I did take all valuables with me.

I absolutely would not leave luggage in the car in Catania!

Let me know if I can answer any questions. I do think you are planning to visit the typically important places. I very much enjoyed all of them, but Villa Romana was the entire trip highlight!

Thanks for the prompt response, Dayle. Before I started planning this trip I'd never even heard of the Villa Romana so I'm very grateful to all those like you who have been telling me how great it is.

I've tried looking to see if there is a left luggage office at the Catania bus station but so far, all I've succeeded in doing is discovering that if there was one at the railway station, [where I think the airport bus stops] it's now closed.

i've still got quite along time to work this conundrum out - thinking about it I suppose that we could do it as a ½ day trip on the train from Ortygia on the first full day we are there, which is a Saturday, so the fish market [which is what I want to see] will be in full swing.

mmm - that might be a plan.

bmk to read - again!!

I hope it's helpful to you Ann! I'm so excited for your trip!

I'm sure it will be Dayle - I find that if I keep reading TRs I find new aspects to think about and research each time I read them.

Dayle,

Just finished reading your report! Lots of good information!

Very interesting and helpful report! Trying to decide between Sicily or Spain for the upcoming year. Would love to see photos if you care to share!

Very interesting trip report,Dayle.

Marsh, plufmud, and Saraho,

Glad you did some dredging and found this. I hope it's helpful. I had so much inspiration and help from others above who did their own reports. I wish more people would take the time to do detailed TR like we used to have here on Fodors all the time. They are so valuable!

If I can help with any questions. i will be happy to do so.

Buon viaggio!