We leave for Italy on September 2nd and are currently scheduled to get on a cruise on the 15th. That cruise is looking less attractive as the days go on so we are thinking we could make our first trip to Sicily in stead. We have 6 nights and prefer to land in one spot - perhaps a nice mid-range resort on the eastern side of the island which we could use for a few day trips? I love planning but I am not going to have the time to study this as I would like. I would very much appreciate your thoughts on the right area and properties we should be looking at. Much appreciated.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7049 posts
I assume you'll be flying into Catania? I don't know about resorts, but Siracusa makes for a great base because there is enough to do there for at least 2-3 full days and you can easily make day trips to Noto, Ragusa, Modica, and even Taormina (if Taormina is too far, then you can overnight there - or select a second base not far away and north of Catania). I stayed at the Grande Albergo Alfeo (https://www.alfeo.it) in Siracusa, and really enjoyed it.
This is a good site for skimming/ planning:
http://www.bestofsicily.com/index.htm
Also, you may get just the southeastern chapter of the Sicily Lonely Planet which has a lot of info. It shouldn't take that long to plan, Sicily is really laid back and you'll have time to read/ research if you limit yourself to a small area.
Posted by
WA State
3961 posts
I would concur with Agnes and base yourselves in Siracusa if you plan to fly into Catania. On our first trip to Sicily we ended our tour in Taormina. Following our tour we based ourselves in Ortigia at a lovely BnB. We spent 5 nights and hired a driver for a day trip to the baroque towns of Noto, Ragusa & Modica. We spent our last night in Catania. We can recommend La Via Della Giudecca. laviadellagiudecca.it. We enjoyed the property so much that we booked it again in 2020. Unfortunately we had to cancel due to the lockdown. It was cancelable and the owner was very gracious. We were there in the month of September and it was lovely.
Posted by
OP
22 posts
Thank you for your guidance. I will jump in today to study your recommendations. We have considered takin the train from Rome but may very well fly - and could land in Palermo as well.
Posted by
Washington DC
27111 posts
I recommend flying. It's a long plane ride, and you have only 6 nights. I usually recommend folks allot at least 2 full weeks to Sicily, and that's if they plan to travel by car. It would be a shame to waste a day getting there, and (speaking from experience here) the night-train offers a miserable, sleepless (for me) ride.
Posted by
841 posts
With only 6 nights, I would definitely fly. RS Sicily guidebook is an excellent resource. If you have limited time to plan, I think you’ll find it very helpful.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6534 posts
Concur with Agnes’ suggestions. From Siracusa you could also visit Villa Romana Casale and Agrigento as trips trips if time allowed.
Posted by
Sonoma
64 posts
In 2019 we stayed here https://www.hotelromasiracusa.it/en/ in Ortigia and did day trips to Noto, Ragusa,
Modica, Marzamemi, Taormina, and Vendicari plus more I've forgotten. The hotel had a great location and valet parking which was nice at the end of a long day.
We stayed here too, https://www.agriturismobannata.com/en/ not really close to anything except Villa Romana del Casale but we really liked our stay there. Great dinners.