Sicily in Feb—random questions

We were there in February 2019. It was in low '50s during the day, '30s-'40s in the evening. Windy. Locals were all wearing puffy down coats, while we were in windbreakers and sweatshirts. Colder up on Mt Etna and there was snow on top of some of the mountains. But that was our experience - your's will be different. We used cash in the markets and small shops.

Thank you Stan.

After a very hot June trip to France, I said I would much rather be cold than hot. (With proper attire!)

We shall see if that is true!

Accepting card payments is mandated by law for all merchants, for any amounts, no matter how small.
The only people who might try to tell you (they lie!) their POS machine doesn't work because there is no signal are some taxi drivers. They like to be paid in cash because they are the biggest tax dodgers in Italy.
However I generally use hard cash for small purchases (like an espresso or a mineral water or bus tickets at tobacco shops and other small amounts).
You can get cash at any ATM machines like you would do at home. Use only the ATMs attached to banks, which are called Bancomat. There are also some machines that say ATM (in English), usually in souvenir shops, but they are the private type we see somewhere in shops in the US. They are managed by Euronet (a private company) and charge extra fees, so don't use them. Use only the ones attached to banks which say Bancomat.

Thanks Roberto,
I’ve traveled a good bit through Europe, so I’ve done the atm and even look for ones affiliated with my bank to waive fees. But Ive have had a couple problems getting $ and just prefer to come with some euros!

Good to know most places take cc!

Restaurant recommendations for Palermo based on our experience in September, 2022: La Galleria (reservations necessary) and Procopio Pizzeria (hands down the best pizza ever). Also, the Monreale Cathedral is awesome if you have enough time.

If you don't have time to get out to Monreale (or it may be included on your tour), the Norman Palace in the city is easier to reach. The Capella Palatina has beautiful mosaics, and there's a stunning, inlaid ivory throne in the palace. Very worthwhile.

https://www.cappellapalatinapalermo.it/

Palermo has days and days worth of sights. The Wikipedia entry will list the major ones.

There have been several positive comments about the WWII museum in Catania; unfortunately, I missed it. The area around the Duomo is a nice place to wander.

You can try a popular Sicilian breakfast: brioche and gelato. That's a tradition I would like to adopt. I'm especially fond of a gelato combo that may have originated in Catania (I think it's called "Catanese" or something similar): a scoop of almond gelato with a tiny bit of espresso gelato on top. Actually, it may be granita rather than gelato; it was 8 years ago.

Thank you for the recommendations

I must try the pizza at Procopio!

And I did see the brioche with granita or gelato as a not to miss food! I’m in. Pistachio gelato is my favorite, so I can’t wait.

Our tour does take us to Monreale to see the cathedral.

They grow pistachios in Sicily, I think, so you are in for a treat.

Catania - visit the WWII museum and get pizza at Squib (we go to Napoli annually yet think that Squib's eggplant/burrata pizza is the best we've ever had).

We went to Trapani in February several years ago. Midday, I'm was in shorts and t-shirts, but the temperature would plummet at sunset. I now have souvenir Sicilian gloves that I purchased out of need!

I know you’re going in Feb but the Sicilians have a name for March; they call it Marzo Pazzo or Crazy March because the weather is unpredictable during this part of the year. Could see a sunny day or heavy rain and each is just as likely.

Palermo - Ciccio is a gelateria near the train station in Palermo. Get it with a brioche. May sound weird but you will love it if you like gelato. Also, make sure you try panelle and aracini while there.

Ragusa - if you like chocolate, find any panificio (bakery) selling chocolate bread and eat it like crazy. Not sure if you have enough time and not sure if you are already going to these places, but consider a side trip to any of these - Noto, Modica or Scicli.

Not much to say about Catania except go to Acireale or Siracusa or an excursion to Mt. Etna.

Thank you for these Recs!

Chocolate bread and gelato in brioche …yes please!

AbbyO, I don’t think I’ll have shorts, but definitely a hat and gloves in case.

Just hoping for sunshine.