Sicily in December

I was in Sicily for a week just before Christmas a few years ago. The weather was beautiful and nothing was crowded. The closed off streets with American Christmas carrols playing during the passeggiata in Catania was great! Only negatives were that the Villa Romana just outside Piazza Armarina was closed for maintenance and in Syracuse the Archeological Park ticket office closed early (noon) because of the holidays. So when life gives you lemons... I walked around Piazza Armerina and the mood was festive with a local farmer who converted his small tractor into a sled and dressed as Santa tossing candy to all the kids. A dinner with the best antipasto I have ever eaten while watching the football game on tv with the locals made me forget my misfortune!

Our first trip to Sicily was from Dec. 26 to Jan. 7. We loved being there at that time. Many of the churches had marvelous nativity scenes on display. The weather was fine. Hotel prices were lower than they are at other times. The New Year's Eve celebration in Palermo was a blast.

Thank you both for your responses.