Hello Everyone, I am hoping for lots of general help as I know this forum has a huge amount of knowledge. We will make our third trip to Italy this Christmas with our (now adult) daughters who will be on college break. We think we will fly into Rome, stay one-two days in that area (because we have already seen Rome) including a day for Pompeii and then head to Sicily. Our itinerary is very flexible and we will probably stay 11-13 days. We would get a car on Sicily because we want to see Agrigento and all the island highlights. I am particularly wondering if anyone has recommendations for apartments or quad rooms in various regions of Sicily. Also I would LOVE to hear from anyone who has made a holiday trip to Sicily over Christmas-New Years to calm my fears that things will be closed down (and would love tips on fun cultural Christmas activities you enjoyed while there). Thanks in advance for any help!!!!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Oddly, I haven't been to Sicilia at Christmas, so I will leave that to others. Some places will be closed on the 24/25/26, and on the same days around New Year.
To get there, you can fly to Palermo from Napoli. See Palermo and Monreale, and then rent your car when you leave.
Quad rooms are rare, but you can check booking.com and filter by number of guests/beds. Two twins at B&Bs will still be very economical. I would suggest staying in a city rather than in the countryside so there will be some evening activities for you. All drivers will need International driving permits, and automatic transmissions are not common.
Places I love: Palermo, Monreale, Erice, Segesta, Agrigento, Piazza Armerina, Siracusa, Cefalu, Taormina. Monreale, Cefalu, Erice, Segesta and even Agrigento can be daytrips from Palermo, but I really like to spend a couple of nights in Agrigento snd Cefalu.
Posted by
Portland
3648 posts
Our first trip to Sicily was done during the Christmas/New Year's holiday period. Palermo on NYE was a blast. The main square was filled with performers, many in traditional dress, singing, dancing, juggling, etc. At the stroke of midnight people popped open their champagne, and sang and danced. Great fun!
Taormina on Jan.6 was also very enjoyable. I don't recall any particular problem with holiday closures, but you would be wise to check, when you're there, about restaurants and attractions. Be sure to visit churches to see the elaborate Nativity scenes.
Posted by
OP
Folsom, California, USA
323 posts
Thanks so much Rosalyn and Zoe. That's very helpful. I am getting excited already. =)
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Here is my VERY detailed report of my trip to Sicily in April-May 2014: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/sicily-palermo-caltanisetta-siracusa-taormina
Obviously this wasn't near Christmas time, so I can't help with that. But my report should still be helpful with logistics.
In the report are the places we stayed, and I'd stay in each of them again. For Palermo and Taormina, two doubles at the places I stayed would work well (my Palermo B&B was inexpensive, and while my Taormina stay wasn't cheap, I thought it was good value). My Caltanisetta agriturismo (near the center of the island) would work well for 4 people. And while the Siracusa house would fit four (two upstairs and two downstairs), having only one bathroom might be a problem.
While only certain car rentals places on the island stock cars with automatic transmissions, they are certainly available at those places. And they happen to be where you're most likely to want to pick up a car - Palermo airport, central Palermo, Catania airport, downtown Catania.
Definitely fly into Palermo and out of Catania (or vice versa), and you don't want or need a car while in those cities themselves.
Posted by
OP
Folsom, California, USA
323 posts
Thanks Harold,
I have already printed out and highlighted info from your excellent trip report...LOL!!
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3310 posts
The only problems I had were that the Villa del Casale outside Piazza Armerina was closed for maintenance and I couldn't view the remarkable mosaics and in Syracuse the Archaeological Park closed early. It seems that during the week leading up to Christmas there are shortened holiday hours. Other than that, it was fantastic. Auguri! Buon Natale e felice Anno Nuovo!