Anyone been to Sicily?

[DalekStarmer]

Since our travel to USA came to a halt DH and I have been going to Italy every year. So far we have done Venice, Rome, Garda, Verona, Naples and Cilento.

We were going to go back this year but I quite fancy trying Sicily. DH thinks Sicily will be boring other than the godfather sights - I think it will be an experience.

YABU - just go back to Italy
YANBU - Sicily is worth seeing

We stayed in Cefalu and loved it. The cannoli are to die for. We booked to go to Taormina in 2020, but that never happened. I would love to visit Syracusa and all the Montalbano locations.

Palermo has loads of museums and mondelo beach isnt too far. There is also the opera house, the catacombs and the palace. The chapel in the palace was in an episode of hannibal too.

Its not too far by train from cefalu you can walk up la rocca which has brilliant views. Its like a lovely seaside town with loads of lovely restaurants too

Oh and i recommend the alcantara gorge as well. Its near mount etna and i believe near a town where somebof the godfather was filmed.

Totally agree, we went a few times, thank you Montelbano who seemed to have encouraged people from all over the world to visit, we went to most of the places mentioned above, Ragusa Ibla is fantastic. We used to hire a car to get around, some of the roads are odd to say the least, one which seemed to just stop in midair, we used both Palermo and Catania airports, Agrigento is amazing as is Syracuse, especially Ortigia. You'll love it, you used to be able to book B and B in Montelbano's house!

We went by train from the mainland to Palermo. The train splits and gets shunted onto a ferry, which seemed to cause quite a bit of excitement for the nerds my DH.
We spent 5 nights in Palermo and 3 nights in Syracuse. Palermo is definitely a city of 2 halves - one bit very touristy, other bits slightly edgy and more authentic Sicily. We loved it all. We visited Agrigento & the Valley of the Temples by train from Palermo (although it takes a couple of hours each way) but definitely doable as a day trip.
We'd love to go back and visit other areas. We had previously done a package holiday to the Ragusa area and visited some of the Montalbano sites.

We did like Taormina and would go back but I think if I was going back to Sicily I’d prefer Palermo/Cefalu myself so do check those out.

Agree with this … ironically we chose our hotel as it has a HUGE balcony, almost the same size as the room again. Overlooking Etna which was incredible to wake up to. Unfortunately we didn’t enjoy many sunset drinks on it as it was like a bleddy oven 12-8pm 😁 Bathers and towels dried quickly tho!

This. I loved Sicily - didn't think I would. Been twice. Not done Palermo. But many of the other places mentioned. The only thing i didnt like was the 19th C reconstructions at Agricento.

I've never heard anyone describe Sicily as boring! It's beautiful and amazing. I haven't been for a long time but the island holds some of my most treasured memories. I'd be amazed if you didn't enjoy it OP, especially as you're no stranger to Italy and Italian ways.

It has a different atmosphere to the rest of Italy which I don't like so much, but it is an interesting place and there is plenty to do.

Anyone got any recommendations on places to stay at Syracuse/Ortigia or Taormina. Travelling with a teenager, so a pool is vital.

It is a brilliant place to visit. We went and while DH was interested in some of the Godfather stuff, I've never watched the whole film. I would go back tomorrow, there is masses to see, the food is amazing, the wine is amazing, the people are nice, the scenery is great and the weather is fabulous.

It’s fab- but I would say that the driving is 100% more crazy than on mainland Italy!

I went last September. It was hot but so beautiful!

I loved it. The sea was so clear and warm.

I got loads of mosquito bites though which was the only downside 👍

We went to Taormina last October - it was absolutely gorgeous, one of the best holidays I've been on.

We stayed at Hotel Ariston. Breakfast buffet was outstanding, and terrace cafe very reasonable.

We were able to walk into the town every evening for dinner (Osteria Rita is legendary - you will have to queue but so worth it!).

We wanted a relaxing break so were happy to potter about and swim, read etc but there's plenty to do and good public transport and excursions. The cliffside roads are insane so personally I wouldn't fancy driving.

We did a bus trip to Giaradina Naxos and got a little boat out along the coast and went swimming off it near Isola Bella which was incredible. Served fruit, pastries and bubbly on the way back and was only £37 each.

Can't recommend it highly enough and will definitely go back!

Sicily is amazing! We hired a car, driving was no problem- great road network.

I can recommend old town Syracusa too, and Etna is a must see.
On the west of the island is Ericea, a mountain top medieval town well worth a visit.
I would suggest going out of high season, so May or September.

I'm going to Taormina in May with my sister. Two nights in Rome then overnight train to Taormina, the train that goes onto the ferry. Going to the Amphitheatre, Godfather tour and Etna.

Can't wait!

We did Sicily with primary aged kids and had a whale of a time. Stayed in Taormina but had a hire car. Driving is no different to anywhere in Italy but some of the roads are tiny and winding. After the first few days, we started driving to the nearest railway station rather than long distance drives. By then we'd already done Etna and the Alcantara Gorge. By train we did a couple of the coastal towns and we did a couple of other places by local bus.

Catania was decidedly edgy in parts but we had a nice enough wander round the centre.

Sicily is absolutely gorgeous. Syracuse, Noto and Ragusa are absolutely stunning. We hired a car and drove all over the island; it was beautiful.