Have done the East Coast several times, and this time I'm returning there with girlfriends, and meeting husband in Palermo when girlfriends leave. Planning on 3 nights in Palermo w/husband, then 2 nights in Agrigento, then 2 nights in Piazza Amerinia. From there to Syracusia 2-3 nights and back to Catania for flight home. Any advice? Husband and I are in our 60's and are planning on renting a car after Palermo at airport maybe? Are we crazy for driving in Sicily?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16236 posts
Palermo. No need to go to the airport to pick up a car. You'll save if you rent from a city location. The airport isn't close. The traffic in Palermo is bad, but if you get out of town when everybody is at work (mid morning), you'll be fine. Don't head out of town during the evening commute. Agrigento is pretty, but the historical center is hard to find parking. I don't know if they have a ZTL also. Therefore, with a car, you should look for a place outside and drive in (park outside the city center). Besides agriturismos and Bagli (sicilian farmhouses), the nearby coastal beach town of San Leone will certainly have accommodations with more parking available. Visit also the beautiful cliffs known as the "La Scala dei Turchi (The Turks' Staircase) at Realmonte near Porto Empedocle. For Syracuse, I stayed at an agriturismo near Avola called Masseria sul Mare. Take a look (google it, it should come up). Beautiful beaches on premises, just minutes from Syracuse. Noto is also minutes away. Syracuse parking at Ortygia will have to be inside the carpark as you cross the bridges. I don't know if Taormina is in your plans, but it's a pretty must see town to visit. If you have time, of course. But I'd be willing to borrow some time from Agrigento to see Taormina. Agrigento can be done in less than a day (including the Valley of the Temples).
Posted by
OP
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Thanks Roberto!!!! You're The Best! I made a mistake in the text above meant to say did "EAST" coast several times, and Taormina is where my trip starts. Going again LOVE IT! Got a great tour guide and renting an apartment and doing Etna and all of that with friends. I will take you advice as I begin in Palermo and go counter-clockwise when
my husband arrives. If you think of anything else, outside of Taormina, especially on the WEST side, or SOUTH hotels, farms, etc., places not to miss, please share. Again, thank you for ALL of the good advice you've given since you joined the RS group. (I edited out West above.)