We are two older women who will be in Sicily for 6 days during the first week of April 2014. We will fly in from Rome to Catania. We want to go to Taormina and also see Mount Etna. Any suggestions on itinerary? I think we might be best off staying on the east side of Sicily since our time there is pretty short (rather than trying to get around to a lot of places). Should we stay in one town as a home base and take day trips or divide the 6 days among different towns in that area? Is it better to rent a car or should we use public transportation to get around? Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
If you choose two bases, I would make Siracusa the second one. Taormina can take a full day (it's quite hilly once you are off the main street), and a day trip to Mount Etna would take a good part of the second day. You could also go to Villa Romana di Casale for the ancient mosaics and frescoes. All can be reached by public transportation, but a car would be more convenient. Siracusa has extensive ruins and a great museum, and you can day trip to Ragusa and/or Noto. Public transportation works here, too. If you want to go to the islands off the north coast, skip Siracusa and spend a couple of days (or three) in Lipari, you can day trip to Stromboli and Vulcano from there.
Posted by
Atlanta
3281 posts
I agree with Zoe - but further, I'd go to Siracusa but stay in Ortygia. I'd recommend renting a car.
Posted by
OP
San Diego
24 posts
Thanks for your responses. They were very helpful. I think we will go to Siracusa and stay 2-3 days, maybe take some day trips from there and also stay in Taormina for a couple of days as it will be a little off-season and go to Mount Etna from there.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
If you want to day-trip to Mt. Etna with a guide, magicofsicily.com provides this service and is very reasonable, and their English is perfect.
Posted by
Paris
10715 posts
I agree -- stay in Ortygia 2-3 days, and visit either Noto or Ragusa if you have time.