Last week of December: could we drive from Catania thru Enna safely/happily? Guidebks say snow & ice in the mountains - should we stick to the coasts instead? Is the southern coast much warmer than the northern in Dec.? We'll have done a two weeks' tour, Palermo-west coast-Agrigento, then Piazza Armerina, Ragusa, Marzamemi, Siracusa, Etna, Taormina. Flying out of Palermo 5 days after leaving Catania on our own, would love to see mtns & small towns but don't want to be wishing we had chains. Thanks for any road advice, and any accommodations/agriturismos you loved.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16239 posts
Except for the top of Mt Etna, which is always covered with snow in winter given the very high altitude, snow in Sicily is as common as in Los Angeles. The freeway from Catania to Palermo is through low valleys and tunnels. If you need chains there, Italy's weather will be top news around the world that night.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
Snow on low altitudes is a fairly uncommon thing over there.
My road advice is: bring a GPS and try to pre-program and double-check your key destinations (namely, your hotels) on it before you depart. Countryside and town street naming is often complicated, so it pays off if you make sure you are getting drivign directions to the place you actually want to be.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
There won't be a big temperature difference from the Southern Coast to the Northern Coast, but any elevation, including Mt. Etna will be considerably colder. December isn't the coldest month. Roberto is the expert here, as he's an Italian native, and if he says snow on the roads is not a problem, then snow on the roads is not a problem.
Regarding agriturismos, etc., you should probably post this separately, and you will get more answers on this subject. I had a great time in Taormina in a rented apartment that we absolutely loved, and Christmas is so beautiful there, so if you're interested in repeating Taormina, you can look at: legendofsicily.com Tell Claudio I said Hi! He's got lots of apartments and bnb's that he brokers. Loved the guy!
I know one beautiful agriturismo in the area: Villaantonella.com. Only problem is they speak Italian/Sicilian only, but if you are an Italian speaker, you will love this family! Since the last week of December is Christmas/New Years, you might want to stay in a place that has "something going on" and not way out (?)
In Palermo I stayed in Centrale Palace Hotel. It really IS an old Palace situated in the heart of the Old Town. She is just a little tired, but a magnificently beautiful Grand Dame for sure, and we absolutely loved the place!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
The road to Mt. Etna is pretty easy, then you come to where there's a parking lot and you can't drive any further up. That was in summer, so not sure there will be anyone to stop you in winter. There are also two routes, so the other one may offer more opportunity.
Your post mentioned Enna, was that a typo or are you going to drive to the highest provincial capital in Sicily in the winter?
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
472 posts
Zoe - yup, Enna, that's why I'm asking about likely road conditions.
Thanks to everyone for replying.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16239 posts
Check the weather just before undertaking your drive. Snow at low altitudes in Sicily is extremely rare (Sicily is at the same latitude as central California) but if you are so lucky to experience such rarity, just return your car in Catania and go to Palermo by train. If you want to drive along the coast for the purpose of experiencing that drive, go via Messina - Cefalu (north coast). It's longer than the interior freeway route through Enna, but it's all freeway and it's still fast. There is no freeway along the south coast and it takes forever because it's a two lane highway.
Posted by
roswell, ga, usa
1501 posts
Hi, Stewart! This is a pretty important question, so I decided to really research this. First, I called a friend who has lived in Taormina his whole life, and he said very unlikely except up at Mt. Etna and the road that takes you there. His personal experience, however, is on the East side of the Island.
There's a Facebook page "Sicilia" and I sent them a private message this morning. Their reply: "Ice/snow on roads is only at elevation 1500 m. Enna is only 900 m. Very unusual for dangerous driving in Sicily." That info, combined with the fact that December is the mildest Winter month, would indicate to me that you'll be fine. Weather, is weather, and we were in the South of Spain a year ago and it snowed 4" on April 25! Highly unusual!, so we stayed on the coastal roads and didn't venture up into
the higher elevations that day!
If you tour the East side of the Island, make sure to make a trip to Gambino Vini! An absolutely stunning place and they have Christmas Festivities. The family that owns it are wonderful people. They also have a Facebook page: Gambino Vini, of course.
So that's from two sources 'on the ground' so to speak! If you are a FB user, you may want to check out the "Sicilia" page, the photos are beautiful and encompass all of Sicily. "Legend of Sicily" is mostly the East side of the Island, Taormina, Syracuse, Etna, etc.
Safe travels! I fell in love with Sicily on my first visit and I keep returning. If the husband won't go, I travel with my girlfriends. I may get her out of my system after one more trip? If I win the lottery, I'm buying a home there!
Posted by
Asnieres sur Vegre, France
127 posts
We enjoyed the agriturismo Limoneto just outside of Siracusa and we love the Villa Paradiso in Taormina. It has better views from its restaurant than anyplace else in the town and the rooms with balconies facing the sea are fantastic. A note to Donna. You will never get Sicily out of your system and how lucky that you won't.