We will be spending a week in Rome, then flying to Sicily for 4 days this December. We are a family of 2 fifty-somethings, 17- and 21-year old boys, and an 85-year old grandmother! We're thinking about flying to Catania, then returning to Rome from Palermo. What do you think are the must-see's for us? Maybe stay in Catania for 2 days and take day-trips from there? Then go to Palermo and see some of the western part of Sicily? I understand driving in Sicily is not recommended. Any ideas for tour guides or transportation from Catania to Palermo? Any help would be appreciated as obviously we can't see every sight and ruin in 4 days. Thanks.
Posted by
Paradise, CA
21 posts
Carole, Take a look at this web site, we are going in a couple of weeks and I felt very confident with the people that are putting this on. www.tourinmed.com
Posted by
OP
Ithaca, NY
11 posts
Thanks, Gary. Although they have no 4-day tours mentioned, the day tours look interesting and seem to hit the main sights. Our problem might be that we are a group of 5 people, which means that one car/guide won't be sufficient for all of us.
Posted by
Wodonga, Australia
440 posts
Carole, whilst I would not drive in Palermo or Catania, elsewhere is fine, especially as you will have one of the teenagers to navigate!! Do see Siracusa for the archeological area; the museum in the city is wonderful. Valley of the Temples, Segesta, Erice and of course Palermo. Four days is very short, so it will be a case of prioritise and work around the various needs of the family. Have a wonderful time. ps. There is a very good system of trains and local buses.
Posted by
Italy
247 posts
Four days is not a very long time to spend in Sicily.
You could spend two days in eastern Sicily and two days in the west, or spend a night in different towns on your way from east to west.
You could spend two nights in Catania and two nights in Palermo, taking day trips from each, and the bus between the two.
If you rent a car, avoid Catania and Palermo. Both airports are outside the cities, so you would never need to go into Catania or Palermo unless you really wanted to. Driving would be fine outside these two cities.
You could rent a car at the airport in Catania, and stay in Taormina or Siracusa, not Catania. You could also stay in western Sicily, and see Segesta and Erice instead of Palermo.
You could also rent the car at the airport, spend your first night in Taormina, drive to Siracusa (great historical sights) the next day, spend your second night in Siracusa, see Noto on your way to Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples, spend your third night in Agrigento, see Segesta on your way to Erice, spend your last night in Erice, and return the car at Palermo’s airport.
Check Tour of Sicily. They offer mini-tours tour that would be perfect for you.
http://www.tourofsicily.com/
http://www.tourofsicily.com/Around_Sicily-3days.htm
Posted by
OP
Ithaca, NY
11 posts
Thanks Pat and Giovanna for your suggestions and ideas. They are great and will be a big help in my trip planning.
Any suggestions on the best way to see and experience Mt. Etna? I see there are several different types of excursions. Or would it be better to drive there ourselves from Taormina or Catania?
Posted by
Italy
247 posts
Most tours drive to the furthest point at Rifugio Sapienza and only allow some free time there to walk the Silvestri Craters or take the cable car. If you seriously want to trek the volcano with guide, it’s better to drive yourselves.
You would need two nights in Taormina if you plan to also visit Etna, or your could spend one night in Taormina and see Etna on your way to Siracusa.