Click on my name to find my trip report from 2005 of our 15 days in Sicily. You may enjoy the photo gallery as well.

Noto with a side trip to Vendicari Nature Reserve which is 5 miles away on the coast. Much of Sicily's coast has been ruined b over development. Vendicari is beautifully unspoilt.

http://www.oasiavendicari.it/vendicari.htm

bmking for our trip, hopefully next year.

for route planning i suggest looking at the Lonely Planet guide to Sicily - i've not been yet, obviously, but it has what look like some good routes for driving including to places that appear to be off the beaten track.

Dickie - that looks lovely, and in the area which we are most interested in.

The easiest way to 'do' Sicily is to fly into either Palermo or Catania & exit from the other. Taormina for the stunning views, Siracusa for the atmosphere in Ortygia, the Renaissance triplets (Nota, Modica & Ragusa - stay in one & day trip the others), Caltagirone for ceramics, lots of great ruins - Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Segesta, Selinunte, etc etc with wonderful people, food & wine everywhere.

You will have to do your homework to research what YOU want to do.

Another trip report: http://members.rennlist.org/imcarthur/sicily.htm

Ian

Ann

We visited 3 years ago and it was like spending a week with a psychotic lover. ( not that I speak from experience on that front). One day was like Tuscany by the sea, beautiful architecture and wonderful food. The next day was like doing battle in a third world favela, it was an exhausting week.

We have racked up over 20 trips to Italy but mainly Sardinia, Tuscany, Milan, Turin and The Lakes : all posh end. Sicily is a little raw in comparison.

We stayed here :

http://www.hotelilparco.net/

It was lovely.

Looking back the weather wasn't great (October half term and we were in a bad mood).

There seems to be some new luxury villas popping up around Noto towards the sea, we may book one for next July.

Sorry I didn't respond to yor post on another thread, forgot about it!

We can fly from Manchester to Milan for buttons with Easyjet, spend a couple of days there and then Milan to Catania for buttons again. One the way back we will just change in Milan on the day.

Apart from the usual destinations like Ortigia, we loved Marzamemi and Fontane Bianche. Just be very careful and do thorough research. Sicily clearly isn't part of the EU in many respects, the most obvious are planning laws. It is apparent that a brown paper bag stuffed full of money allows Sicilians to build ANYTHING. Some of the development around Lido di Avola and Lido di Noto was just diabolical, like nothing else I have seen in Europe.

In total contrast the coastal area down from Noto was beautiful and totally unspoilt.

edit: make that the Baroque triplets.

Ian

Ian makes a really valid point with the capitalisation of YOU.

Looking back Siciliy is raw and can draw highly opinionated views. It isn't Pienza where the only criticism cold be there is no seafront.

Research and choose carefully, more than usual.

I have very little to add. I think Ian's list of destinations is spot on although we missed the "Baroque triplets". Sicily was certainly one of the most beautiful and memorable trips we have taken. The scenery, the architecture, the food, the wine, the people - all wonderful. Driving is a bit more of an adventure than in most of Italy and it is often difficult to find a place to eat in the countryside between noon and 3:00PM but we enjoyed every minute of our trip.

Have a wonderful time planning and a lovely trip.

Sorry I didn't respond to yor post on another thread, forgot about it!

We can fly from Manchester to Milan for buttons with Easyjet, spend a couple of days there and then Milan to Catania for buttons again. One the way back we will just change in Milan on the day. >>

Dickie - you are forgiven. our [actually my] ideal plan would be to fly from Bristol to Pisa, drive down through Tuscany to Rome [I want to show DH the area around Orbetello where I did a week's italian course last year] then fly to Palermo. We'd then tour Sicily ending up in Catania and fly back from there to Naples and spend a few days there before flying home from Rome.

trouble is, that's a 3 week trip, and really we'd only have 2.

Ann

With only 2 weeks, stick to Sicily. Take your time and really enjoy it. It seems that with every trip that I plan, I slow things down a bit more.

Ian

Ann

What about our little trip from 6 years ago.

I can't remember from your trip report of the time, how much you saw of the Ortobello area.

Monte Argentario, Marina Alberese, Porto Ercole and San Stefano form great day trips from that area. We combined A flight into Pisa with 4 days in Pienza, 4 days near Ortobella and then four days on Elba which is lovely and an our ferry from Piombino. We had a great time over two weeks.

Alternatively, just take Easyjet Bristol to Rome, spend a week near Ortobello which is around a 90 minute drive up the coast. Then back to Rome and Blu Express have cheap as chips flights to Catania. On the last day just do Catania to Rome to Bristol.

I loved this place, really stylish and a third of the price of the famous Il Pelicano which is down the road and has the same view.

http://www.tuscany-charming.it/tuscany-hotel/Hotel-Torre-di-Cala-Piccola-Argentario-Tuscany-coast.asp

andreadee,

Polizzi Generoso is certainly off the tourist map and you should give yourself relaxing days there. Fortunately, it is in the Madonie mountains, which is one of the cooler parts of Sicily in August, so you are unlikely to get an argument from your teens about the fun of being there. In addition to staying in a place with a pool and air conditioning, if anybody in your family likes horse back riding, it is popular in that area. This might also give you some ideas if you haven't already seen it.

http://www.sicilianexperience.com/history.php?codice=polizzi&lingua=en

You don't say what else you did in Sicily during your last visit, but were I traveling daughters the age of yours, I might include the islands for several nights, especially to see the volcano of Stromboli. If your trip consisted of Cefalu, Polizzi Generoso and the Aeolian islands, you would have quite an adventure of Sicily.

I see that you want to include Malta, but I'm not sure why. In August, it is likely to literally overrun with cruise shippers and even cheaper package tours. Anywhere you go with a coastline you will find the waterside packed with vacationers, but the amount of time and energy you will consume getting to Malta might not have much of a pay-off. If it is high on your wish list, don't let me talk you out of it, but you might find the islands closer to Cefalu more fun.

Someplace like this might be nice for your stay in Polizzi Generoso.

Hit the button too soon. Here's the link:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1183432-d1460290-Reviews-Agriturismo_L_Antico_Casale-Polizzi_Generosa_Province_of_Palermo_Sicily.html

By the way, do you have this book?

http://www.amazon.com/Many-Beautiful-Things-Stories-Generosa/dp/0743215281

Dickie - Alternatively, just take Easyjet Bristol to Rome, spend a week near Ortobello which is around a 90 minute drive up the coast. Then back to Rome and Blu Express have cheap as chips flights to Catania. On the last day just do Catania to Rome to Bristol.>>

great idea, only from memory the flight times don't work. I think that we'd probably only give Pisa to Orbetello 3-4 days as we've seen the area between Pisa and Siena before. Though your suggestion looks very nice. I'd like to stay in Orbetello again, I think because of the restaurants and shops - we like to stay somewhere where there are things to look at and do in the evening, and not to have to drive and drink!

<<With only 2 weeks, stick to Sicily. Take your time and really enjoy it. It seems that with every trip that I plan, I slow things down a bit more.>>

Ian - I'd agree wholeheartedly if we could fly straight from Bristol to Sicily. sadly this isn't possible and London is 6 hours drive from here, necessitating an overnight stay somewhere - either this end, or the other, before we can set off. So I am trying to work out ways that we can do it so as to maximise interest with convenience. There have been some interesting threads about Naples recently, so a couple of days there at the end of the trip might be fun.

if we are restricted to 10 days in Sicily, i think that we might fly into and out of Catania - it is the south-east area around Modica and Ragusa that we are most interested in.

andreadee - please excuse me hi-jacking your thread!

I have to say that were I going to Sicily with teenage girls, i would pick places where there is something to do in the evening - if they are anything like my DD, places in the country will bore them rigid. they need shops and a swimming pool to be happy, and if they are happy, you will be too.

Summer in Sicily can be pretty hot and humid. Everyone seems to be on vacation from mid-August through the beginning of August and if they can afford to get away these days, the beach areas will be crowded. If you can go early in the summer, the weather may be a bit better.

oops i meant mid august through early September

if you have not been there .. Agrigento for the Greek temples, and Syracuse for the ancient sites and old part of town; Taormina for the shops , and sites, and nearby beaches..Cefalu is a lovely town.

This morning I briefly reviewed all of the contributions and decided I needed to return to my computer when I have more time.....
Bobthenavigator...thank you! I went to your 2005 info and decided that I must print it and save for specifics. Each morning I will attack the other contributions but thank you in advance.

I am not sure if I will start in Palarmo (I have relatives there and they take over your vacation... which was wonderful but I don't think I need as much time in Palermo this time.)I did notice that there was no mention of Mondello. Mondello was a place we deemed one of the most beautiful we have ever witnessed. That is one place we want to return as we only spent 1 evening there....
Polizzi is where the other part of my family is from and we absolutely LOVED IT! We stayed in the coolest place and would return there). That visit will be again to see family but this time I want to really explore the little village and shop in the small stores.
I'm thinking we start in Palermo...hit cefalu...Polizzi...then work east to southwest and hop on a ferry to Malta...My grandmother was from there...I feel I need to visit it at least once. I hear 2 nights is enough. The trip is in june or july...not August so I hope it is less crazy. Can't wait to read more...thx.

There are several departure points in Sicily for ferries to Malta, and the one that leaves from Pozallo would be my recommendation, so you can easily visit the pretty area of the baroque towns on the way. For towns to stay in and visit, I would pick Scicli or Modica in you want the least touristy taste of local life (and Modica will also give a taste of its unique, Mexican-like chocolate).

There are flights to and from Malta via London Heathrow, so you can consider reversing your trip to take advantage of the marginally cooler weather in June.

I second the suggestion to take the ferry from Pozallo to Malta. You can click on my name to read my Trip Report -- we visited both Sicily and Malta.

Here are a few other thoughts. Not sure how you will be arriving, but the overnight ferry from Naples is a fun adventure. Ortigia was my favorite place in Sicily -- so beautiful with this wonderful, relaxed vibe. We loved our stay at Aretusa Vacanze. Also Ragusa is another pretty baroque town.

Two nights is not enough to appreciate Malta (especially when you will lose most of a day getting there). You will need at least 2 full sightseeing days. Be sure to reserve tickets for the Hypogeum -- amazing experieince. Here is the link to an article I wrote to give you an idea of what there is to do on Malta.

http://travelblog.viator.com/highlights-of-malta/

Magster - can you give some more details of the ferry from Naples to Sicily?

DH would love that, and easyjet start flights from Bristol to Naples in May.

Hi annhig -- There are two ferry companies -- we went with Tirrenia. I booked with A Ferry (which I have used before -- very good and the website is easy to use) http://www.aferry.us/

We loved the overnight on the ferry -- the view of Naples as we departed was gorgeous as was our first view of Palermo just as the sun was coming up. Accomodations on the ferry are basic (tiny cabin and tinier bath), but for us, that was part of the fun. We ate dinner on the ferry also and it was much better than I expected.

Have you ever been to Naples? You must visit the Cappella Sansevero. I have never seen a marble statue like the one there of Christ with a veil over his face -- it's beyond description (like a religious experience and I am not particularly religious). http://www.museosansevero.it/

The Underground Naples Tour is also very good: http://suite101.com/article/underground-naples---a-secret-buried-city-a316708

Magster - thanks for the links. I have been to Naples but it was a loooong time ago - nearly 40 years. We went on a day trip from Sorrento and it was a bit scary to be honest.

I think that we'd be a bit braver and more savy now. if we could fly one way and get the boat the other, that would be great. I'd like to spend a few days in Naples either at the end of the beginning of the trip - i'll have to work out which would be the best way to do it.

Our Sicily trip was our first visit to Naples, and we were a bit leery, not sure what to expect. But we had a fabulous time. It wasn't crazy at all -- maybe because we were there in March.

I just read Bianca & Ian,s Sicilian adventure which in
some small way like mine !!
My intenary Rome 3 days (train to Sorrento)
Stay Sorrento for 3 days with trips to Naples ,Pompei &
Herculenaum
Train to Catania for 4 days (base for exploring)
Then Siracusa ,Nota ,Modica ,Ragusa Agrigento
and up to Palermo
Will arrive Catania April 2nd and depart Palermo aprox
April 22/24 Can't wait