peyton18

Desperate for Some Help!!!

I am going to Sicily May 21-26th and have changed my mind about 110 times as to what I should try to see! I think ...correction, I know that I am in information overload---I am now officially overwhelmed and totally confused!

I am sincerely hoping that w/ the wisdom of people on this board---I can regain some clarity & make some decisions.

Here is a little background to help---I will be travelling solo and arriving into Rome the day before & leaving Rome the 28th---I would like to take the Easyjet flights from FCO to Palermo as that airline allows 20kg of checked baggage w/out additional charges and the tickets are wicked cheap too

I am a foodie & wine lover---heck, I'm Italian...unfortunately, I don't speak the language II appreciate beautiful scenery and the history of the area---though, I am not a museum junkie---if I had to choose between an afternoon at a museum or a fabulous meal in a beautiful quaint town w/ great service and people---the latter would win hands down!

I do travel extensively (Delta Platinum Medallion) and am in my 30's w/ a very good energy level---so, I am not averse to very long days or jumping around a lot. I also LOVE finding a great deal---that is how I ended up w/ this impromptu trip---found a Delta R/T flight from FL to Rome for $379 incl. all taxes Who could pass that up? That being said, I am also trying to keep the costs down for this unplanned trip...so, please pass on any great finds/deals.

At the moment, here are a few places that I'd like to see---now, I am realistic and know that they aren't all possible in the short time I have...but, these are what has made my "not so short list":

Erice
Palermo ---most likely just a day & the hop on/off for quick overview
Segeste
Taormina
Valley of the Temples / Agrigento
Visit a Great Vineyard*** I am a lover of great Reds...I've been wine tasting all over the world & really want to do at least 1 vineyard in Sicily
Mt. Etna

I have been flipping through bus/train schedules & it is challenging to say the least to discern when it is better to take what type of transportation & also what service to research...For example, what is the best way to get from Taormina to Palermo? If I want to go to Agrigento---which city is better positioned to visit from Palermo or Taormina? Should I leave from (1) visit the site and then go on to the other? etc...

Any thoughts/wisdom anyone care to share???

Thanks in advance for all of your help

thursdaysd

Definitely plan to see Erice, and I would add Trapani, both by bus and both worth an overnight. You might be able to arrange a trip to a winery near Marsala, although I wound up passing on that as it seemed too difficult by public transport. Also see Monreale, which you can do by bus from Palermo.

Take the train to Taormina, and make sure to see Ortigia (Siracusa) on that side of the island, also by train. I visited the main archaeological sites with a tour group, but you might find the beginning and end sections of my TR helpful, when I was on my own - http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-sicily.cfm?61

franco

I can't help with getting around (I never use public transport), but I can comment on the sights... if you have to skip anything, DON'T skip Agrigento, that's the best of "your" sights by far.
Palermo gets a far worse rap than it deserves IMO. Yes, it's incredibly poor and often seems like a Third World city, and yes, of course that's a shame in a wealthy country like Italy. But the city has great sights, and it's an interesting place; I for one liked it.
Segesta is fine, too - perhaps somewhat difficult to reach by public transport? Just a guess from a stubborn car driver...
I also loved Taormina, its popularity with tourists notwithstanding (I usually prefer places that are not on everybody's to-do-list).
What I wouldn't hesitate to skip is Erice. I didn't absolutely understand why this became a (relatively) popular sight. It's just a dull village IMHO. Ah yes, and foggy, that's true (which seems crucial for the Erice myth).
As far as Mount Etna, that's certainly an impressive sight for people who love mountains (I don't). It's perhaps the most hostile environment I've ever seen, you'll feel like on the back side of the moon.

Things you should absolutely consider though they're not on your list yet:
- The baroque south-eastern part of the island: Ragusa - Noto - Siracusa - Modica. Great both for baroque and for quaint-town lovers.
- Piazza Armerina, the greatest ancient mosaiques anywhere in the world. Astonishing. For me, the best sight all over Sicily (no museum! - everything's still in original position in the ancient villa for which it was created).
- Monreale on the outskirts of Palermo (great mosaiques again, medieval this time)
- Catania. Another town that doesn't get raves, and that's interesting, vivid, very individual and very likeable nonetheless.
Just to contribute to your confusion...

Mimar

Wow, that's a lot for 5 days. So you're arriving in Sicily the 21st and flying out on the 27th? Can you fly out of Catania back to Rome? Several airlines make this flight; see www.harefares.com.

So I'd stay in Palermo 4 days and make day trips by tour bus or public transportation. You can take the train to Agrigento, for exsample.

Then train to Taormina for your last 2 days. From Taormina there's a bus to the Catania airport.

Mimar

I forgot to say you can do a tour of Mt. Etna from Taormina.

And I don't think you have time for Siracusa or all of franco's excellent suggestions.

thursdaysd

"DON'T skip Agrigento, that's the best of "your" sights by far" - totally a matter of opinion. If you've seen other Greek temples you could skip these. Again, you're bored in Erice, but I loved it (pix here: kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/519560 password "erice"). I do agree that Piazza Armerina is a great sight, but then I'm very fond of mosaics.

peyton18

I am very flexible as I have no plans yet other than my flight to Rome---so, anything is a possibility

One of my thoughts was to fly in to Palermo & out of Catania...however, really prefer to fly Easyjet (which only flys into Palermo) due to the looser baggage restrictions. However, I could look into flying into Catania (when my luggage will be lighter) & fly out of Palermo.

It isn't easy to try and narrow down the selections! Seems like so much to do & so little time to do it.

Thanks for all the comments...

thursdaysd

Air One and Alitalia give you 20kg checked, how much do you need??

peyton18

20kg is all I need...so, I'll check them out too!

At the moment, I am leaning towards flying from Rome into Catania and then flying out of Palermo...however, I have changed directions so many times---I am getting dizzy!

bobthenavigator

Ahhh, Sicily in May--you will love it !
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3828

peyton18

Bob---I have viewed your photos....& they helped me to decide to go to Sicily---now...it's down to where specifically to go when in Sicily.

Any suggestions? I think that I am leaning to the following...

Thursday May 21st:
Fly from FCO to Catania (12:25 - 14:10) & then take Express Bus to Taormina...Explore Taormina

Friday May 22
Morning & Early afternoon, explore Taormina. 15:00 go on the Etna Experience Sunset tour (15:30 - 21:00) of Mt Etna.

Saturday May 23
Early morning Train to Cefalu for brief visit & then onto Palermo in early afternoon (Bus or Train to Palermo)--check in to hotel in Palermo

Sunday May 24
Early morning transit to Valley of the Temples for a .5 Day Trip (via Bus or Train??) & would like to squeeze in Monreale on the return --Balance of Time..Palermo...Is this feasible?

Monday May 25
Day trip to Erice, Trapani & Segesta---via Bus? Hoing to find a winery that I could stop at along the way....

Tuesday May 26th
Fly out to Rome

Thoughts?

peyton18

Thursday...Your Pictures are absolutely stunning-thanks for sharing! This reiterates my desire to see Erice

thursdaysd

Why thanks, peyton. To make the choices even more difficult, lol, you can see my unedited pix of Trapani (password "trapani"), Taormina (password "taormina") and Siracusa (password "siracusa") in the same place.

peyton18

Checked out your other pix too...I am really getting excited now

Do you think though that I am trying to accomplish too much in too little time? If so, how would you alter the itinerary?

thursdaysd

Well, you really don't have very long... I think you're allowing too much time for Taormina, but then I'm not a big fan of Taormina, or Mt. Etna for that matter. Your last two days feel very rushed. You only have four and a quarter days - maybe you should just stay on the west side?

kja

Hi, peyton -

> Early morning transit to Valley of the Temples for a .5 Day Trip (via Bus or Train??) & would like to squeeze in Monreale on the return --Balance of Time..Palermo...Is this feasible?

I'm not sure that it is feasible unless you keep your time at the Valley of the Temples to a minimum - and it so deserves to be seen! I think it takes at least 2 hours to get from Palermo to Agrigento and probably more because of the traffic in Palermo. Then you would probably want a minimum of 2 hours for the Valley of the Temples. Even 3 hours might feel rushed, and you would need more time if you want to visit the wonderful museum there. Also, Monreale deserves more than a few minutes. You might want to try to visit Monreale the day of your arrival in Palermo just to make sure you have time to see it. (It is spectacular!)

I had a few wonderful meals in some of the places you visited - I'll top my report on those ("Southern Italian restaurants") for you in a moment.

Hope that helps!

Sassafrass

I have not been to Greece, but I have been to many other archeological sites, and the temples at Agrigento was a highlight of my travels, so far. With getting there and walking around, visiting them took the better part of a day. Sicily is just beautiful - and great food.

peyton18

Thanks for the advice---I was concerned that it might be too much & sounds like my concerns were valid. Now...to cut some things out...what should go? Should I cut out Cefalu to do Monreale that day?

Kja---

How did you know that my next post after I got the basic itinerary was to be suggestions for great food---so, I'm definitely checking out your recommendations.

Thanks again for all of the help

thursdaysd

peyton - do, do try to see Monreale! It's an absolute jewel. Both the Byzantine-style mosaics, that totally cover the walls inside the cathedral, and the exquisite columns surrounding the cloister, are totally captivating. See www.bestofsicily.com/monreale.htm and http://www.sicilytourist.com/incomin...o/monreale.htm.