Sicily

pander

Anyone been to sicily?
We are heading in July, flying into catania and thinknig of staying in taormina........diong some day trips (not renting a car)
Anyone comment on this area?

Staph

I have been to Sicily twice and I am returning at the end of June, but not in the region you mention. I have mainly been to Palermo and Trapani. Sicily is an amazing place!! I do recommend learning a few words of Italian, as many people you come across in shops, stalls etc will not have english. Otherwise, you are in for a real treat, with the fab food, wine and history of the island.

pander

thanks.....how expensive is it?

Bodhi

Hi

Can you tell what Trapani is like as I am looking to maybe go here in the summer for a week and wnat to know whats its like as in resturant shops nitelife?

Thanks

DES440

Was in Taormina in 2006.Gorgeous place.Really old medieval, well preserved with incredible views.Loads in really top restaurants in Taormina and in nearby Letojani.

Couple of late bars around (but don't for a second be thinking loutish disco pubs or the like).

Really is a spectacular place

Staph

Pander: It is not an expensive place at all. In traditional places you wont pay over €10 pp for a starter and main or a main meal and some beers. It's really cheap (well everywhere is compared to Ireland...!).

Bodhi: Trapani, is a lovely port town with amazing cobbled streets. There are some great pizza places and lovely coffee shops. I didn't really get to sample the night life there, but I'm sure you'll find something! I recommend going to the near by walled town on top of a mountain called Erice, you get a cable car up to it and it is very historic and beautiful. You can also get a ferry to the islands of the coast of Trapani. Favignana has camp sites and little 'huts' to rent and the camp sites also rent bikes so you can cycle around the island and to secluded beaches.

Bodhi

Thanks staph do you think its worth staying a week their or would you suggest to move about as im not too sure what it would be like for a whole week there.

Staph

I'd say try and move around and view the surrounding areas. You could be based in Trapani for a few days and take day trips. And maybe spend a few days on the islands off the coast of Trapani.

Sundew

Spent a week in near Taormina 2 years ago. We did it as part of a package but would like to go back and explore independently.
Taormina is a must see. Very touristy but a stunning place. Have fond memories of sharing a rickety old taxi up the hill to Taormina from the train station with an Argentinian couple and an elderly Norwegian lady. What fun that was. Thought the taxi would never make it up the hill.:D

I would recommend that you visit Syracusa. We went there by train from Taormina and stayed overnight. Got accommodation when we got there. The old town called Otegia is very pretty and it's worth exploring it's tiny warren of streets. There is even an Irish pub in this very Sicilian old city if you feel the need for a Guinness.
There is also an interesting Roman Theatre and Greek Theatre to see if you are interested in ancient sites! There will be shows on and you can buy tickets to watch events in the Greek Theatre there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSYN6kYrEjs
http://www.travelplan.it/siracusa_guide.htm
You can catch a bus from the bridge into the old town out to an ancient site and national park called Necropoi di Pantalica which consists of thousnads of ancient tombs carved out of the mountains in a beautiful valley .We had planned to go hillwalking there but did not have the time

We had planned to see so much but did not have the time. We now have a good excuse to return though
You should look at also visiting the Aeolian Islands where you can do guided night walks of the volcanos. It's supposed to be amazing!
http://www.thesicilianexperience.co.uk/aeolian.html
If you check out Trip Advisor there is a brilliant DE in the Sicily forum called Vagabonda who is well versed on Sicily!
There are plenty of daytrips to take. Etna,visiting Cantania, etc and a week is so short. We were there iin June and it was very hot!

karltimber

Hi,

was searching thru this section as I was interested in a family holiday to Sicily -possibly Taormina - 2 adults and 3 boys (2,5,9)

Would Taormina be suited to a family holiday - really do not want a Santa Ponza type holiday.
any rec on hotels or self-catering villas or apts - there are so many to look through and a rec on a particular spot would be great.
will get a car for the week to explore the island and goto beaches etc

thx
k

buzzard

I am heading to Marina Di Ragusa for 2 weeks, anyone been there before ?