We are going to Sicily for about 10 days over winter. We have a young baby, so originally we were going to stay in Taormina for the full 10 days. However, every thing we've ready said we should stay in Siracusa instead?

THoughts? We are looking for a relaxing vacation in a scenic peaceful area, so Taormina sounds perfect. However, I understand Siracusa has more to do and more things will be open.

I based in Taormina and day tripped to Syracuse - two very different places - Syracuse a large noisy city with some dicey areas and some posh seaside areas. Syracuse to me was an ordinary large city with some awesome sights - the archaelogical sites like the old quarry where slaves hewed out the limestone.

I would think you'd find Taormina much much more relaxing and manageable base - from there you can easily day trip by car or public transports to Mt Etna, Catania, Syracuse, etc.

With a baby, I would gravitate towards Taormina for the reasons noted by Palenque above. But do get to Siracusa to see the sites.

We are going on Friday for 1 week. We choose Siracusa simply down to its more central location and the fact that Taormina had that Fred Olsen feel about it. I have enough of San Gim by the sea! My parents have stayed there for two weeks at one of the more posher hotels - this also put me off.

Toarmina to say Noto/Modica is a long drag with a child.

We are staying at Hotel Il Parco which is juts outside the city its a new place with a stunning garden. The other factor was a beach for our 4 year old - but in winter this may not be such an issue.

We will go to Taormina for the day - will report back.

Taormina is one of the most touristed places i've ever been no doubt about it - but the tourist hoardes cannot erase the awesome views from this cliff-top town over sea and vistas of an equally awesome Mt Etna

But yes the town is basically hotels and restaurants - i find these places interesting - at night the streets are full of strollers - etc. some will love it and others loathe it.

I liked both Taormina and Siracusa (more specifically, Ortigia). As others have noted, the views from Taormina are stunning, and it has some areas that are quite charming - especially after the myriad day-trippers have left. The core of Taormina is small. The main street is flat, but as I recall it, pretty much everything else is hilly. Ortigia is larger and it is flat. There were more things that I wanted to do in Ortigia/Siracusa than in Taormina, but I'm glad I saw both.

Hope that helps!

Naxos, down on the sea under Taormina is a component of any Taormina visit - this is the classic Italian seaside resort - the seafront lined by strings of inviting cafes, restaurants, hotels and if warm enough really nice sandy beaches. But i'd stay up on the hill to catch the sterling views of sea and Mt Etna - the reason Taormina is so so popular.

Baby - Pram - hills - Taormina ?

Would it be an issue?

Just a thought.

How do you get from Taormina to Siracusa and vice versa? Is there a direct bus?