Hello, I would like to get your suggestions for places not to be missed that we should visit before or after and not included in the RS Sicily tour. Thank you.
Posted by
near San Francisco
4895 posts
You're in luck, there is a nice thread, and recent, on that very subject:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/sicily-what-to-add-after-tour-ends
My recommendation is to spend time in the Baroque towns, Ragusa, Modica and Noto. If you're open to renting a car, then Ragusa is an easy place to drive to and stay as they have free parking at the base of town. Modica and Noto can be great as day trips from there.
Posted by
Washington DC
27396 posts
I absolutely agree with the Baroque towns. In addition, I think the tour is seriously short on time in Palermo, and many people find Siracusa worth more than the one day and a few hours the tour allows there.
Posted by
WPB, FL & Firenze
3112 posts
Definitely plan to arrive in Palermo at least a day or two before the tour starts. It allows you to adjust to the time difference and there's a lot to see in Palermo that's not covered by the tour. The tour materials you'll receive will list several, or at least they did before Rick's Sicily guidebook was available. The one sight I wouldn't miss is the Norman Palace and its Cappella Palatina, but plan your visit carefully as the chapel has shorter hours than the palace.
Posted by
79 posts
As the above posters have said, Palermo at the start and Siracusa at the end can definitely use more time. This summer I spent 4 nights in Palermo and 3 nights in Siracusa. Both have plenty to see, do, eat. And of course the Baroque towns in the southeast. Most of the other sights are adequately covered in the tour.
Posted by
Seattle
107 posts
We have planned to arrive Palermo 3 days early. One of those days we are going to Cefalu. After the tour we are going to the island of Lipari for 4 days (we will take a side trip to Stromboli to see the volcano at night, then on to Ragusa for a week to relax and savor.
Posted by
OP
Cleveland, OH, USA
79 posts
Thank you for your suggestions. Do we visit the Baroque towns from Siracusa?
Posted by
back in the Americas
688 posts
Hi Roger,
I just spent 22 days travelling around Sicily in September. It was my second trip there. I agree that the Baroque towns are worthy destinations but I would like to throw out another lesser known option. I really liked wandering around the historical center of Mazara del Vallo, a smaller fishing town with heavy North African influence, in the southwestern corner of the island. We also used this as our base to visit the beautiful temple ruins of Selinunte. We got everywhere by train and bus. Two nights in Mazara del Vallo gives you time to explore the town and go to nearby Selinunte. Also, the RS tour only spends one day in Palermo and there are so many sites there to see. If you are flying into or out of Palermo I would give myself some additional time there. If you are interested in Mazara del Vallo you can take the train or bus there. We took the train.