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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Tell me about Sicily - flights to Catania

54 replies

MissAmbrosia · 18/02/2023 23:00

Never been. Planning 10 days in September, Dh would prefer Palermo but flights are tricky from Brussels. I am thinking a few days in Taormina - trip to Etna, and some days in Syracuse which looks gorgeous. Would prefer not to hire a car if public transport is possible. Agrigento looks fab but is quite far. Any recommendations?

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Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 19/02/2023 20:24

Bump

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pullshapes · 19/02/2023 20:50

I went a few years ago, and hired a car so don't know about transport.

Anyway, Agrigento is lovely and so is Syracuse so would recommend both. Etna is definitely worth a trip and take decent shoes/boots if you're planning to walk up. I didn't really rate either Palermo or Catania but didn't spend long in either. Some of the smaller seaside towns are nice too, like Gela, but might be trickier by public transport. It's a beautiful place and should be warm but not too hot in September

UrsulaPandress · 19/02/2023 20:51

Done that. Got a taxi from Catania to our hotel in Syracuse.

Hop on hop off tourist bus to get around.

Private taxi trip to Etna and Taormina.

Fab.

Fleur405 · 19/02/2023 20:57

Syracusa is lovely and you should check out the surrounding Val de Notto with several picturesque baroque towns - Notto is probably the grandest but also Ragusa, Scicli and Modica are worth a visit. If you’ve ever seen Inspector Montalbano, this is where it was filmed.

Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 20/02/2023 11:30

Thanks all!

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MangosteenSoda · 20/02/2023 17:59

Following this topic with interest! I’m eyeing up Sicily for next year, but not sure when. I like the look of Syracuse and surrounds for an Easter holiday (more sightseeing, less beachy) or Aci Castello area for a summer holiday.

Please update if you get there @MissAmbrosia Grin

Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 20/02/2023 20:17

Flights booked 😎

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eurochick · 20/02/2023 20:22

I went years ago on a cheapie package. Flew to Catania and stayed in Taormina. Didn't bother with a car. We went on day trips to Etna and the volcanic island where you can cover yourself in mud (I had to bin that bikini as the sulphurous stench lingered). I loved it and would like to go back and do it in a bit more style!

Wiennetta · 21/02/2023 08:18

We didn’t use a car. We did day trips from Palermo to Agrigento and from Taormina to Etna. If you got in to Catania, choose a base which has the day trip options you’re most interested in. We loved Taormina but were there in autumn - so it wasn’t really busy.

Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 21/02/2023 10:35

I've booked 5 nights in Taormina and 5 in Syracuse. DH is most excited to see you can do a Godfather tour.

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curtainsontheline · 21/02/2023 11:37

damn i was going to say - go by train! is a fantastic journey. Syracuse is wonderful, you'll have an amazing time.

Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 21/02/2023 19:48

I looked at doing the train - well overnight ferry on way out and train back. But that's a lot of travelling for 10 days. Next time I might try doing that to Palermo.

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whiteroseredrose · 21/02/2023 19:59

We did a similar trip last September and used public transport.

We flew into Catania then got the bus to Taormina for 5 nights. Taormina is lovely in itself but also a good base for trips. We did a long day trip to Agrigento and Villa Casale and another trip up Etna.

We then got the train to Siracusa and stayed in Ortigia for 4 nights. If you want you can get a bus to Noto for the day.

We decided that we would save the Palermo side for another time.

baublingon · 21/02/2023 20:01

We went to Cefalu in September about 15 years ago, it was lovely

Usernamen · 21/02/2023 20:02

Watch White Lotus on Sky for inspiration! It was filmed in Sicily, across Taormina, Palermo, Cefalu, Notto (and it’s a brilliant show).

Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 21/02/2023 22:16

whiteroseredrose · 21/02/2023 19:59

We did a similar trip last September and used public transport.

We flew into Catania then got the bus to Taormina for 5 nights. Taormina is lovely in itself but also a good base for trips. We did a long day trip to Agrigento and Villa Casale and another trip up Etna.

We then got the train to Siracusa and stayed in Ortigia for 4 nights. If you want you can get a bus to Noto for the day.

We decided that we would save the Palermo side for another time.

Was it an organised trip to Agrigento? Or something you did yourself? I've booked 5 nights in Taormina and 5 in Ortigia (with sea view). Will probably also do airport bus. Noto certainly looks doable, and Modica possibly but Agrigento looked like a car was needed. As accommodation is certainly not cheap I was hoping to avoid...plus there needs to be cocktails by the sea and I don't want to overreach myself. 😎I was amazed by how much there is in Syracuse itself.

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Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 21/02/2023 22:21

I've been off sick with Covid and could probably plan 2 holidays with all the stuff I looked at so far. Yes Palermo and Cefalu for next time. Maybe by boat and train. Will look out for White Lotus. I am stupidly excited about it - and we go to Ischia and Naples in May first. Ischia I've been to before, and Naples I am a bit nervous about....

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whiteroseredrose · 21/02/2023 22:44

@MissAmbrosia the trip to Agrigento and Villa Casale was through a company callled Sickly Day by Day, and up Etna was through Etna People. They are actually linked so you get a discount on the second trip.

whiteroseredrose · 21/02/2023 22:46

*Sicily Day by Day 😂

Galadriel90 · 21/02/2023 22:52

Hi! I went to Syracuse last year. Have you booked your hotel? We had three nights in Ortigia and it's just the most beautiful place. Then we stayed in the countryside not too far from Modica. Try if you can to get to Modica & Ragusa, both stunning baroque towns.

Try to pre book your taxi from the airport. We didn't do this. Sicily taxis are £££ and we ended up paying €150 euros. Eye watering.

It's an absolutely glorious place and I can't wait to go back at some point.

UrsulaPandress · 21/02/2023 23:20

Oh I loved Naples. My god what a place.

MokaEfti · 21/02/2023 23:30

@UrsulaPandress tell me about Naples! I've been thinking of visiting but no idea where the best bits are.

Whisperinastorm · 22/02/2023 08:37

We spent 2 weeks in Sicily in August 2019. Absolutely loved it. We hired a car and traveled to Cefalu, Palermo, Agrigento and the Turkish steps. Stunning country. I highly recommend the boat trips to the Aeolian Islands - seeing Stromboli erupting is incredible.

Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 22/02/2023 09:24

whiteroseredrose · 21/02/2023 22:46

*Sicily Day by Day 😂

That'll be me after the cocktails 😂

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Original poster
MissAmbrosia · 22/02/2023 09:25

MokaEfti · 21/02/2023 23:30

@UrsulaPandress tell me about Naples! I've been thinking of visiting but no idea where the best bits are.

I had a thread about Naples - will try to find it

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