Taormina and Sicily

On our second trip to Sicily,we stayed in Taormina, picked up a rental car from Auto Europe, delivered to our hotel for a small charge, and then drove and explored the South coast. If you rent a car in Taormina, remember that there may not be any parking at your hotel, and you may have to keep the car at a lot on the edge of town. Our Hotel had a small parking area.

We did the Northern side (Palermo, on a seperate trip), but I jut consulted my Lonely Planet travel guide ( I don't go to Sicily without carrying it), and they said a bus trip between Catania and Palermo is only 2 1/2 hours. I would not be afraid of driving between Taormina and Palermo,just be aware that driving in Palermo is not for the faint-of-heart, especially during rush hour. We parked right downtown near the water when we were there, and had no problems getting in or out. You would take freeways most of the way, the A18 to Catania, and then the A19 across the island right to Palermo. Both are wonderful roads.

Oh, and Mt Etna. We chose NOT to go there. We live near Mt St. Helens, so it was no-big-deal for us. Do some reading about the tours in travel guides and books. I noticed that two of the bus companies will take you to Mt Etna from Taormina. Go to the SAT web site and check theirs out: www.sat-group.it. Many times the mtn. is fogged in at the top, so make sure that the time of year that you pick to go is condusive to a good visit.

If you have a chance to visit the beaches below Taormina, go. They are hot and beautiful. There are many good restaurants off the main street(Corso Umberto), and my wife found some great deals on shoes in the small shops along C.Umberto.

I think it is feasible to go to Palermo in one day by car, a bit more adventurous by bus since you are looking to find somebody. Bus schedules might leave you limited time for the ride back. Car might be an hassle if you are staying at a hotel without a parking lot and a few have one in Taormina. Try to figure this out in advance.

I would definitely go up to Mount Etna. It is the tallest volcano in Europe and you can go up to Refugio Sapienza without a guide. You definitely need a guide further up.

I love the beaches down below Taormina. If you are going during the summer, I would skip Moutn Etna for the beaches. The weather can be really hot. Check out more information about Mount Etna at http://www.sicilyguide.com/sights/mount_etna.htm

1) Are there any tours from Taromina to Mt. Etna? Is it worth going there?

• Sure! It's worth to go visit Mount Etna. For some tour it's better to take the private bus from Taormina and stop in Rifugio Sapienza to hire a guide. More info here: http://www.volcanoetna.com/en/travel-guide/faq-etna-excursion.html

2) We'd like to go to Palermo just to see where my grandmother was from. Do you think this is do-able as a day trip from Taormina?

• Yes, but you have to start in the early morning and consider that total travel can be more than 6 hours of freeway

Sorry for the link on Etna was this
Etna excursions

Hi Victoria.

How did your trips?

Did you visited the Etna and Taormina?

Where did you stayed?

Best regards
Enrico
Mandala Trekking in italy

Of east attractions I love:

• The Mount Etna
• Taormina
• Catania
• Syracuse and the Baroque valley towns
• Palazzolo acreide
• Pantalica
• Modica
• Scicli
• Vendicari
• Noto
• The Aeolian islands

Thanks Enrico from Trip Adventure