What's Palermo like?
 

We'd like to see more of Sicily (have only been to Taromina) & are wondering about Palermo as a base. However, we've heard some negatives about Palermo. Are there some positive comments about staying there for around 5 days? If so, details please. <BR>Thanks. <BR>Susan

Hi Susan, <BR> No negative comments on Palermo here, but if you prefer a low key alternative check out Cefalu. It's ideally situated almost mid way between Palermo and Messina on the north coast, and you can shoot down to Enna, and Caltanissetta for day trips. Use the train. Depending on your time schedule, take a full day, and train down to Siracusa, and use it as a base to see Catania, Noto, and Ragusa in the south. (Agrigento gets a lot of press, but I've never got there). The food, wine, people, weather (very hot in summer), are a bit different from the mainland, but just as terrific. Where are you coming from (in Italy or elsewhere), when are you going afterwards, and how are you transporting yourself? 5 or 6 days sounds about right. <BR> johnb <BR> <BR> John B. <BR>

I enjoyed Palermo for 1 1/2 days staying right in the center. Honestly though, I don't think I could take the traffic noise and pollution for 5 days!

Thanks to John & Diane for your responses! <BR> John, your suggestions about Cefalu & train travel are most appropriate. We'd be coming from Rome (could be via Naples) & would appreciate suggestions as to how best to get to Sicily. <BR> Cefalu sounds like just what we want - & we're interested in travel by train or bus. We'd like to see as much as we can of Sicily (other than Taormina) in about 7 days (but we don't like to change hotels every night or 2 so day trips are perfect). Particularly intested in Agrigento, Siracusa, Erice & other areas with ruins. <BR> Would appreciate details as to how to get around via bus & train. (In Portugal, we had a hard time traveling by bus because of limited scheduling.) <BR> Thanks. <BR>Susan

From Napoli to Cefalu figure 7-8 hrs by train, including the straits of Messina crossing, (train goes right on ferry!!). <BR> You could always stop for an overnight at Tropea, a nice little seaside town on the north toe, or not, and head for Cefalu; then a day relaxing in Cefalu after the train ride. Visit Palermo for one or two days by the train, then head for Siracusa. If I recall it's about a 1.5- 2 hour trip?? If possible, stay in the old section of Siracusa, as the mile stretch between the station and the old town is "new" city dull. Make sure you eat at "Osteria Mariano" in the old town. Just walk through the alleys and you'll find it. <BR> Catania is worth at least one full day IMO. <BR> As you know, there are busses from most stations to the center of town. Of couse a lot of stations are in the downtown area anyway. Wet travel pretty light(backpacks) and walk from the majority of stations to town. Check out www.fs-on-line.com for schedules.