I only have a VERY short amount of time in Sicily starting April 1st until April 5th. Renting a car makes me nervous. Do you think it is possible for me to do this if I use train and buses and NOT a car?
April 1 - Arrive in Catania Airport at 2pm / check in hotel and see Catania
April 2 - Mount Etna tour and stay in Catania hotel another night? Or take train or bus to Siracusa?
April 3 - EARLY train or bus to Agrigento? Is there one? I am in touch with my hotel about this. Maybe stay in Siracusa that night? Train or bus? I am doing investigation regarding this.
April 4 - See Siracusa for 1/2 day and then bus/train to Taormina, sleep over in Taormina.
April 5 - Morning in Taormina, and then transport to Catania for flight at 12:20 to Chicago.
Thoughts?
THANK YOU!
Kirsten
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
I do not mean to offend, but your schedule is too rushed. I don't know if you're arriving in Catania from the U.S., or after touring in Italy mainland, and that makes a difference on my recommendation.
If you're not jet-lagged coming directly to Sicily from the U.S., I'd probably go straight to Syracuse and skip Catania. I've been to Sicily a number of times, and have been told by everyone, including tour guides that Catania isn't as interesting as either Taormina or Syracuse. Syracuse has ancient Greek Ruins, and is absolutely beautiful, including the Island (Ortiega). Spend two days there, then head up to Taormina and base yourself there for the rest of your trip. Taormina is close to Mt. Etna, and also has a beautiful Greek Theatre. You can google this. Agrigento is on the WEST side of the Island, while Catania, Syracuse and Taormina are all on the East side.
If you're jet-lagged and have done several flights just to go directly to Catania, absolutely sleep there, and tour. But with either
option, I don't see how you can fit Agrigento in, unless you go there from Syracuse and skip Taormina and fly out of Palermo..
The trains are good, and I could give advice if you wanted to go Catania/Taormina/Palermo, but don't know enough about the schedule to get you connected to the West side of the Island (Agrigento.)
Sicily is a lot bigger than people think it is. Google a map of it, and look at the routes you're trying to do.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16240 posts
You only have 4 nights on the ground. I would ditch Agrigento and concentrate on the Ionian side: Siracusa, Taormina with 2 nights in each. Not even sure if you have time for Mt. Etna while you are in Taormina. Mt. Etna is a full day excursion.
I would go straight to Siracusa. Spend 2 nights (1 full day) then the morning after your second night, go to Taormina. Visit Taormina in the PM and spend the first night in Taormina. The next day is a full day for the Etna excursion. Return to Taormina for the evening and night. Next day go to CTA to catch the flight.
Posted by
Asnieres sur Vegre, France
127 posts
I agree with Roberto. Siracusa and Taormina are all you can comfortably fit into your trip and missing Catania will be just fine as it is much less interesting than the other two places.
Posted by
Naples, Fl
13 posts
I agree with Chloe and Roberto, that is really all you'll be able to fit in with such a short visit.