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Sicily SHort trip Help with Logistics, or Partical Travel Agent Service Recomendations

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So, we are planning to hop over to Sicily for 4-6days in June. We know ideally a couple weeks is recommended for Sicily. But, we don't have that much time and are not sure if we will make it back for a number of reasons. So, we just want to do what we can while enjoying ourselves.

We don't fit with any prepackage trips. But, are considering use a travel agent consolation service like https://goaskalocal.com or similar for a travel agent consolation or partial service. Go ask a local charges about $125-150 for an hour consolation. Has anyone had any luck with this type of service?

Where to fly in & out of: Palermo? &/or Catania Fly in/out or Ferry?

Must: Caltanissetta, Caltanissetta, Sicily. See: Grandpa's House, Church, graveyards, lunch- ½ Day or Whole Day
Would like to experience: Mount Etna, Winery, Food Tour, Beach 1/2 day

Wish list: Valley of the Temples: Ideally evening or Sunset Tour. But, perhaps there is something(s) that would give a similar experience we missed in a closer location to Caltanissetta or Etna?

-rental car or trains or both?

thanks for any tips

Posted by
621 posts

Well it looks to me like Caltanissetta is smack dab in the middle of Sicily. So if you can have 6 days you could do a few different options. I suspect you need a rental car.
1. Fly into Palermo- 3 nights there, - drive to Caltanissetta- 1 night, 2nights near Mount Etna - fly out of Catania.
2. Fly into either of your two options, base on either the east or west sides, with one day trip into Caltanisseta, and overnight at Valley of the temples for one or two nights.
Ferry leaves out of Palermo, not out of Catania.

Posted by
11 posts

Thanks. Caltanissetta seem to be basically on the way to/from Calley of the Temples from Catania. So, including that along a drive seems like a good option.

We will be spendning a week in Pompeii & Naples prior. Trying to decide if we would prefer beach relaxing or more city vibes.

Posted by
367 posts

If I were you, I'd rent a car. I found driving on the island to be very easy.

With those plans, you might fly in and out of Catania.
There are many beautiful beaches in the SE corner of the island that you could visit.

Fly to Catania. Figure two nights in the city, with a tour to Etna on the second day. (That's to allow you to acclimate if you are coming from far away.....on an overnight flight. Disregard if your arrival flight is shorter)

Upon leaving Catania, take taxi to the airport and rent your car. Drive to Caltanisetta (and maybe to Agrigento.)
OR, rent car at airport, visit Etna and continue on to Caltanisetta for overnight(s).
How high do you want to go on Etna? You can drive yourselves only to a certain point on the slopes.

Finish up with visit to Ragusa Ibla and spend remaining time on a beach within easy drive of Catania airport.
That's just one vague idea of the possibilities.

What kind of beach are you looking for?? Want private each clubs? Do you care if it's sandy or rocky? Do you want an each within a nature reserve (Vendicari)?? Do you want to actually swim?

I spent about a week last September in a rural hotel a couple of minutes drive from Marina di Ragusa...we enjoyed ourselves very much but there are so many options...take a look at that, or Sampieri, for example.

Closer to Agrigento you have San Lorenzo, and there are good beaches outside Siracusa, too, and also some beaches close to Catania but I've never seen those... Lots of people like Marzamemi, which is a picture-postcard village on the sea.....

But with such limited time, I'd be tempted to skip Agrigento. It will be blazing hot traipsing around those temples in June. Leave that out and you have more time to take it slow and enjoy!!!

You don't need to pay anyone to help you plan.....save your money, ask lots of questions here, and spend the savings on a great dinner in Catania.

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