I am planning a trip to Sicily and Southern Italy. My current itinerary has us going from Palermo to Taormina, to Tropea, to Maratea, to Matera with side trip to Alberobello, then fly to Rome. We have about two weeks plus or minus. Are there better cities to see? How long should we stay in the ones I have listed so far? We have already been to Almalfi, Positano, Sorrento, Pompeii, Naples on previous trips, so want to see places we haven't been. Sure wish Rick had a book for this part of Italy.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
If I had two weeks, I would simplify things a lot and just go to Sicily itself. There is plenty to do there in that amount of time. It would be a shame only to limit yourself to Palermo and Taormina because both are outliers in terms of the rest of Sicily....it's worth sticking around and seeing much more than just those two. The Lonely Planet and National Geographic books on Sicily (as well as a culinary book) were more than adequate for my planning in Sicily, so give them a try. Ignoring all the promotional mumbo-jumbo, this is also a good basic guide with a decent map of all the major cities/sites and road network: http://www.bestofsicily.com
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You might consider spending two weeks in Sicilia. In addition to Palermo, there is Agrigento, Siracusa, and Piazza Armerina -all would make good bases with side trips.
Fly into Palermo and out of Catania.
The other cities you mention are beautiful, too. But travel takes a bit longer than you might expect in the South.
Posted by
Washington DC
28453 posts
I'll echo the all-Sicily suggestions. I had 18 days there two years ago, and it wasn't enough time. In addition to the places already mentioned, you have Trapani and Erice, plus several lovely Baroque towns in the SE part of the island.
I've heard good things about Tropea and Maratea, and I really liked Matera and Alberobello. But there is much more to see in Puglia than Alberobello. Ideally, those mainland places would make up a separate trip.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
My first thought as I was reading your post was . . . how long? As soon as I read two weeks, all I could think is fly into Palermo as planned and out of Catania to Rome. Anything less than 2 weeks in Sicily is too little. If you can make it "plus" you won't regret it.
Posted by
OP
9 posts
If I change my trip to all of Sicily, and follow the basic Rick Steves 11 day tour would I be better off using bus, and train, or renting a car?
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Cars are more likely to keep up with the RS bus route, but I would find hotels with parking nearby for Palermo and Catania.
Keep in mind that the RS tour schedule doesn't account for DIY error (getting a little lost, not finding convenient parking).
Posted by
Freedonia
16566 posts
Never try to follow the itinerary of a tour within the same time frame. Tours have professional drivers that know what they are doing and where they are going, they don't have to look for parking, they don't have to find hotels. Tour participants don't have to stand in line for tickets and can rest between stops.
Use the itinerary but add time.