My husband and I and another couple will be traveling to Sicily end of May to the beginning of June. We will not be driving, but would like to know what is the best way to get around starting from Catania and ending in Palermo. Where are the best places (cities) to base ourselves, so that we can explore most of the island. We have 15 days in total to explore. Names of hotels (moderate to budget) will also be welcomed. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
1012 posts
Just a thought - have you considered taking Rick's tour of Sicily - 10 days touring and then you could be yourself somewhere for some relaxing time......its a reasonably priced tour and you don't have to do the driving! Plus you will have knowledgable guides.There is a tour at the begining of June and also one in late May.
Posted by
OP
Staten Island, NY
10 posts
Yes, we considered the tour. The other couple we are traveling with thinks it's too pricey, especially since we have to add airfare on top of that. Thanks for your input, though.
Posted by
Atlanta
3278 posts
For our trip a couple of years ago, we did the following:
- Landed in Catania--3 nights at Bed and Breakfast Palazzo Giovanni in Stazzo near Acireale--view of Mt. Etna from room and good base for day trip to Taormina.
- Ortygia--3 nights at B & B Itaca
- Ragusa--3 nights
- Sciacca--1 night after stop at Agrigento
- Trapani--4 nights with day trip to Marsala, Erice, Mozia, and Scopello
- Palermo--3 nights at B & B Palermo Art with day trip to Monreale
I'm reluctant to recommend the other hotels--we probably could have found better in Ragusa, Trapani, and Sciacca. Overall, though this itinerary worked out great! We loved Sicily and hope to return soon!
Edit: I just noticed that you won't have a car--we did this trip with a car and it worked out well--I'm not sure about public transportation. Would you consider driving?
Posted by
OP
Staten Island, NY
10 posts
Hi Sharon,
That itinerary sounds perfect! I asked my hubby if he would want to drive, but he's reluctant to do so, as he's a little nervous driving in another country, plus my cousin's husband is not interested in helping out with the driving. I guess we are at the mercy of public transportation. As long as we can pick up buses and/or trains we will be fine. I really love your suggestion, though and I will definitely look into seeing if there are buses/trains in the smaller towns that can get us to where we need to go.
Thank you for the info.
Dina
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
You can get to most places of interest in Sicily by public transportation, I do it every other year. You could spend a few nights in Palermo and visit Monreale, Erice, Segesta as day trips. Cefalu has a great cathedral, and beautiful beaches, or you could see it as a daytrip from Palermo as well. You can daytrip to the Villa Romana di Casale from Piazza Armerina. I would try not to miss the ruins at Selinunte and Agrigento (or at least one of the two). The rest of your itinerary sounds great, I might switch out Trapani for Palermo.