We're booked on a RS tour to Sicily next February which ends in Catania. We're flying out of Rome a few days later. We can spend an extra day after the tour in Catania, or add a day to our (brief) stay in Rome. The tour itself is only in Catania one day and night. Those of you who have been to Catania: are there enough interesting things to do there to warrant another day? We enjoy art, history, and food and wine. The tour already goes to Museo dello Sbarco and a winery. We would certainly make good use of an extra day in Rome, but would hate to miss out on good things in Catania. Advice? Thanks.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7330 posts
On our "off-season" trip to Sicily in Devember 2012, we passed through Catania on our way to Taormina (it was getting late in the day, and it gets dark so early in late December), so we didn't experience Catania except for glancing at it out the car window :-(
Anyway, it looks like Rick's "off season" tour in February skips Taormina, just a bit north up the coast from Catania, although his "in season" tours do go to Taormina. Catania may have plenty to offer for a visitor (again, I can't say first hand) but perhaps a stop up in Taormina is worth considering.
Posted by
Tucson
4151 posts
Visited Catania when we stayed with our daughter on the NATO base nearby. My advice is to add the day to Rome.
Posted by
San Francisco, California
50 posts
I was in Catania a week ago. You can take day trips to Tiormina or west to Noto etc. but the main reason to go to Catania is go up Mt Etna. I found that paying for a tour guide was very worthwhile. Although I did not do it, there is a local train which goes around the west side of Mt Etna to several little towns which are well known for honey and pistacios.
If this is your first time in Rome, spend the extra day in Rome. There are several day trips by train to Orvieto etc.
Bruce
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
I would add the day to Rome. If you run out of things to do (unlikely), go to Orvieto for a day.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Agree with Rome decision. If you're spending time in Catania on the tour, better to see more of Rome! Many, many things to see (and eat) there!
Posted by
Asnieres sur Vegre, France
127 posts
If the tour doesn't include Taormina, I would definitely go there. It is one of the prettiest spots on earth. It sounds as if you will still have time for a visit in Rome. You can get to Taormina easily by bus and have a lovely, restful day just enjoying the views.
Posted by
OP
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6289 posts
Thanks for the input, everyone. I think we'll probabloy opt for the extra day in Rome. We have seen Taormina, and agree it's a beautiful place, but we'll save a return visit there for another time. Same for Orvieto - we haven't been there yet, but I think a day trip from Rome would be pushing it. There's always next time! As Rick says, assume you're coming back.