Hello everyone, I am new to the forum as far as posting goes, but read it all the time. My family and I are heading to Italy at the end of May and will be in Sicily for four days. While in Sicily we want to get an english-speaking guide who is knowledgeable of the area's architecture/history and who can take us to all of the historical sites and one of the wineries as well. I was wondering if you could recommend anyone who fits the bill. The help in making this leg of the trip incredible is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Jstrauss,

I have been to Sicily many times, and have always toured on my own. With a little help from a "Pimsleur Italian I" CD course (at most libraries), I got around very well.

Is there a particular area or areas that you are interested in? Even though Sicily is an island, there is actually a lot to see there, and it can take time to get from place to place. The tours that "do Sicily in 7 days" don't do it justice at all, and I wouldn't recommend this. Once you decide on the area, someone may be able to help with a guide.

If you only have 4 days, what you plan on seeing may depend on where you will be arriving (Palermo, Catania, Messina)?

Rainbow

We will be flying into Catania and planned on staying in Taoromina. The tentative plan is that we would travel to Syracuse from Taoromina for a day trip. Then on the way to Palermo go to Agrigento and Biscayana (I am sure that it isn't spelled correctly) because my stepdad's family is from there. We would then fly out of Palermo back to Rome. Do you think that is too much?

J - If you get no personal recommendations here you could try:

http://www.taormina-touristservice.com/

Hope this helps ...

Steve

P.S. Do you mean Bisacquino?

http://www.comune.bisacquino.pa.it/

Dear Steve,
Thanks for the help, and yes that is what I meant. I was just being lazy looking up the proper spelling.

Jstrauss,

I think you're planning on doing and seeing quite a lot in 4 days. I have an acquaintence who used a guide from Catania, so will report back if I have any information re:names.

Taormina is a lovely place, and I stop there almost every time I'm in Sicily if only for lunch. The town is fun to walk through and the Teatro is one of the most picturesque, with views of Mount Etna and the sea. There is also a lovely little park, Parco Duchi di Cesaro. There are grand accomodations such as the Grand Hotel Timeo, and ther are also smaller places such as Hotel Villa Diodoro, Villa Fabbiano and Villa Belvedere that I would recommend.

From Taormina, you can take tours to Agrigento, Mount Etna, the Isole Eolie and Siracusa, although Agrigento would make for a very long day trip. Siracusa is a very busy little city, and I personally wouldn't try to throw it in with all the other places you have planned.

The Isole Eolie are wonderful, and I try to visit one island each time I visit Sicily. Again, you could make a day trip there, but I like to stay for a minimum of at least two days.

Both the temples and the museum in Agrigento are very interesting and worth the trip. I have stayed at the Dioscuri Bay Palace in San Leone a couple of time and enjoyed it. There are many restaurants within walking distance along the sea. Foresteria Baglio della Luna is also a lovely place with an exquisite setting and restaurant. It was there I first saw "la luna rosa", the red moon - and, no I hadn't had too much wine. Again, with four days in Sicily, I don't think it is possible to enjoy a the ambience of any one place if you plan on seeing so many.

I have not been to Bisacquino, so have no advice other than to say that part of Sicily is beautiful to drive through, especially in the spring.

As for Palermo, this city could take up 4 days on its own, with side trips to Monreale, etc.

Well, as promised, I will get back to you if I can get any specific information on a guide.

Rainbow

Forgive the piggyback but I'm wondering how to best explore Mt Etna (from Taormina). We will have a car, but wonder if a tour/trek/whatever might be best. I'm thinking of spending 1/2 day, without TOO much walking. A mistake we've made in the past has been trying to 'do it on our own'. A guide might enrich our experience. Thoughts?

I am planning a trip to Sicily in March. I have been in touch with the people at www.sicilylife.com They have reasonably priced tours of Mt Etna and other areas, especially if there are 4 or more people. Might want to check them out. We plan to take trains and buses with maybe a guided tour to Mt Etna.