Spring break in Sicily
Feb 9th, 2019 | 01:32 AM
#1
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Spring break in Sicily
My sister and her daughter (22yrs) have decided on a last minute spring break trip to Sicily, they just booked their air tickets, flying in and out of Catania. DS has enlisted my help in planning their itinerary and stay. Both have traveled extensively and are interested in history, art and culture.
They arrive Catania early afternoon of Saturday, March 2 and fly back to South Florida the morning of Sunday, March 10. So they effectively have 7 full days on the ground.
My sister’s plan was to get an apartment for a week in Catania and do a day trip to Taormina/Mt Etna and an overnight in Siracusa, with a hotel for the one night. She most probably has an appointment in Catania on March 5, which means she’ll have to stay in Catania the first part of her visit.
I suggested they spend 3 nights in Catania, then four nights in Siracusa before coming back to Catania for the last night before flying out. Day trips to Ragusa and Ortigia Island would be much easier from Siracusa, it’s also a smaller town. Doesn’t this make better sense?
My niece is vegetarian and would like a self catering apartment where she can make at least one simple meal every day. Any suggestions or places you’ve stayed at? Of course we’re also looking online.
My sister would prefer not to rent a car and use the bus to get around, that should work, isn’t it?
Please critique our plans and give me your comments and suggestions, would love to know if there’s something you’d do differently. Thanks in advance 😊
They arrive Catania early afternoon of Saturday, March 2 and fly back to South Florida the morning of Sunday, March 10. So they effectively have 7 full days on the ground.
My sister’s plan was to get an apartment for a week in Catania and do a day trip to Taormina/Mt Etna and an overnight in Siracusa, with a hotel for the one night. She most probably has an appointment in Catania on March 5, which means she’ll have to stay in Catania the first part of her visit.
I suggested they spend 3 nights in Catania, then four nights in Siracusa before coming back to Catania for the last night before flying out. Day trips to Ragusa and Ortigia Island would be much easier from Siracusa, it’s also a smaller town. Doesn’t this make better sense?
My niece is vegetarian and would like a self catering apartment where she can make at least one simple meal every day. Any suggestions or places you’ve stayed at? Of course we’re also looking online.
My sister would prefer not to rent a car and use the bus to get around, that should work, isn’t it?
Please critique our plans and give me your comments and suggestions, would love to know if there’s something you’d do differently. Thanks in advance 😊
Last edited by geetika; Feb 9th, 2019 at 01:34 AM. Reason: Unable to tag Italy!
Feb 9th, 2019 | 07:07 AM
#3
Joined: Mar 2013
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Buses from Catania to neighbouring cities are rather frequent:
to Siracusa (1 1/2 hrs journey): at least every hr from 6am until 7pm
to Taormina (1 hrs journey): about every hr from 7am until 8pm
to Ragusa (2 hrs journey): about every hr from 6am until 7pm
Public transport from Siracusa to Ragusa is not easier: train to Noto plus bus (3 hrs)
But Siracusa is a much nicer place to stay
to Siracusa (1 1/2 hrs journey): at least every hr from 6am until 7pm
to Taormina (1 hrs journey): about every hr from 7am until 8pm
to Ragusa (2 hrs journey): about every hr from 6am until 7pm
Public transport from Siracusa to Ragusa is not easier: train to Noto plus bus (3 hrs)
But Siracusa is a much nicer place to stay
Feb 9th, 2019 | 09:01 AM
#5
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Neither Catania nor Siracusa would fit my definition of a small town. With only 1 week and only Mt. Etna mentioned as a place she wanted to visit, its hard to say what would make most sense. For example, the Baroque Towns are much closer to Siracusa than Catania, but not everyone would include them among Sicily's greatest highlights. I think we'd need to know more about why the travelers want to go to Sicily to be constructive. (And note that to some people, a visit to Mt. Etna means going to the top; for others, it means touring the wineries that ring its slopes -- and these are very different things!)
Last edited by kja; Feb 9th, 2019 at 09:04 AM.
Feb 10th, 2019 | 01:25 AM
#7
Joined: Jul 2006
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Buses fine as far south as Siracusa and as west as Palermo but the service begins to get less frequent the further you go.
Palermo only really needs 2 nights but could support 3.
Ortigia is in Siracusa so I would stay in Ortigia.
Watch out for time-managed Zero traffic zones if they hire a car.
Palermo only really needs 2 nights but could support 3.
Ortigia is in Siracusa so I would stay in Ortigia.
Watch out for time-managed Zero traffic zones if they hire a car.
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Feb 10th, 2019 | 05:50 AM
#8
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Thank you for the comments, will suggest to my sister she can spend 2-3 nights in either Palermo or Ortigia, though I have a feeling my niece will prefer the latter!
Kja, the trip to Mt Etna would be to hike up to the crater, not visit the wineries, this should be quite doable as a day trip.
Bilboburgler, no car on this trip, it’ll be public transportation... hence no need to worry about parking or zero traffic zones, lol!
Kja, the trip to Mt Etna would be to hike up to the crater, not visit the wineries, this should be quite doable as a day trip.
Bilboburgler, no car on this trip, it’ll be public transportation... hence no need to worry about parking or zero traffic zones, lol!
Feb 10th, 2019 | 10:36 AM
#9
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I think it depends on one's interests! I found 3 nights insufficient for Palermo and could easily have enjoyed 5 nights there.
Yes, there are day trips from both Taormina and Catania, some of which include the Gole dell'Alcantara, which they might find of interest. I would strongly recommend joining an organized tour rather than managing the public transportation on their own, as there are MANY changes of transport to get to the top, and a tour makes those changes reasonably seamless.
Yes, there are day trips from both Taormina and Catania, some of which include the Gole dell'Alcantara, which they might find of interest. I would strongly recommend joining an organized tour rather than managing the public transportation on their own, as there are MANY changes of transport to get to the top, and a tour makes those changes reasonably seamless.
