My family and I are going to Palermo, Sicily in October. Yesterday, I saw videos of a serious garbage problem in the city and the videos appeared to be recent. Does anyone know if there is an ongoing garbage problem in Palermo? If there is, is it a widespread problem?
Posted by
Atlanta
3262 posts
Not sure about the garbage problem but in doing a "google search" and reading articles related to it--I'll admit, it doesn't sound good.
We have been thinking of a trip to Sicily and have just begun to look at an itinerary. From what I've read, it sounds like 1 or 2 days in Palermo is enough. I've looked a comments on this site (there are some good suggestions by people who have traveled there) and also, looked at Rick Steves' tour itinerary for ideas. It seems that renting a car if a good plan and flying from Rome or Naples into Palermo and back from Catania (or vice versa) is a good idea.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
One thing I learned about Sicily is --- the Sicilians keep their own property extremely clean, but just outside their fence they could care less. So -- you will see trash everywhere. They just don't understand about litter, it doesn't matter to them, as long as it's not on property they own.
They will take their trash and dump it on the street, they drop candy wrappers, pop cans, anything they have in their hands that they no longer care for, or need. A trash can is a foreign concept to them.
The country is beautiful, but the trash situation is just sad. It's all part of education, but just not something that they are teaching their youth, and the adults are the ones setting the example.
Posted by
OP
Houston
2 posts
That's really a shame. Thanks for the replies. :)
After talking to my family, we're deciding to change our game plan. We were really going to Sicily to visit where my great-grandparents were from, Castellammare del Golfo, so we're going to stay there or close by.
Posted by
gaston, oregon, usa
842 posts
We loved visiting Palermo, but there is no way that we would stay there. That is just our opinion.
There are lots of great places to stay outside of Palermo; good agritourisimos.
It is definately a town that you do not want to drive thru; especially in rush hour!
Posted by
Oakdale, Ca., USA
30 posts
When we were in Sicily a few years ago, we visited Palermo. We were disappointed.
We spent several days in Taormina, we highly recommend it!! It's beautiful, we stayed Hotel La Pensione Svizzera. Budget friendly and very nice, close to the town center.
Happy Travels
Carol B.
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
"We were really going to Sicily to visit where my great-grandparents were from, Castellammare del Golfo, so we're going to stay there or close by"
A great and very homey place to stay nearby is the La Tavernetta B&B in the little town of Scopello, just up the road from Castellammare.