Sicily anyone?

[AvonCallingBarksdale]

Hi. Thinking about Sicily in July - anyone been and if so any tips/recommendations? It would be me, DH, DS 19 and DD16. We like pottering, sightseeing, beaches, pools, swimming, cocktails (me!) somewhere nice to go in the evening for food.

I haven't rtwt so someone else might have said this. I've been to Sicily a couple of times and moved around by train. It's easy and worked well.

DH is Sicilian so been going there for 25 years + to visit family. July it will be very hot and August is unbearable (plus lots of businesses close for holidays then) September is still very pleasant .
Driving is a nightmare - and I’ve driven there a lot! Far better to use trains and coaches . In addition parking can be difficult to find in many places .

@MissAmbrosia awesome thanks! I think it's thanks to you we are staying at the La Palma in Stresa for our first week 😊

Definitely taking the train to Cinque Terre - we are staying up behind La Spezia so will probably focus more on Porto Venere and Lerici/Tellaro (Gulf of Poets side) rather than Sestri Levante and the Portofino coast towards Genoa. Also fitting in a day trip to Maranello and Modena for the Ferrari factory!

Can't wait!!

Ooh La Palma! The Sky Bar is my happy place. Have an aperol for me! It's a lovely hotel. Along the prom in Stresa you get the guys selling tickets for the little boats to the islands. It's cheaper on the ferry :) I'm looking forward to Sicily in September but at the end of the month I have Ischia and Naples. Can't wait.

Sounds like you and I have a love of the very best of Italy in common.

Enjoy Ischia and Naples. And Sicily when you get there.

Are you saying we should get a little boats to the islands or use the ferry? I mean unless the cost is extortionate of course. Any food recommendations in Stresa for fussy just-teens?

The ferry is cheaper than the little boats. And less bouncy. Parc Pallavicino is a nice trip out. Easy stroll from Stresa. Restaurants - not sure I remember any names but it was easy to get a simple pasta or a burger or an escalope milanese. My dd is also very fussy and I don't recall having much trouble. The place that stands out - not so much for fussy tweens - was Osteria Mercato. Its in the corner of a car park and looks very unimpressive from the outside. The food was gorgeous though. Booking is needed.

We had no problem driving in Sicily. The only hairy moment was when we went up into a remote area of the mountains (but I mean really remote, didn't see another vehicle for hours, and the road was atrocious!). Everywhere else was fine, and the roads in between towns were pretty quiet. We used car parks in the centre of Taormina and Syracuse and both were fine. Having a car means you can drive right up to Etna 'base camp' and visit some of the more out-of-the-way sights.

I like Erice most of all - wonderful seafood and fish. Most tourists seem to gravitate towards 'nice' Taormina so I'd avoid it. I do not visit very often because apart from Agrigento and another smaller site of ruins, there isn't that much to do for non sun-seekers in terms of culture and history. Climbing Mount Etna requires a certain fitness level and the terrain is challenging in places.

Wow, each to their own of course, but as a fellow non-sun-seeker, I think Sicily has masses to do if you're looking for culture. The theatre at Taormina is stunning (and was quiet when we there, admittedly not in the summer). The old Byzantine/Baroque cities and towns like Syracuse, Ragusa and Noto Antica are wonderful, and Syracuse has the archaeological park and classical museum as well. One of our favourite places was the ancient Necropolis at Pantalica, which I'd never heard of before we went. The old fishing port at Marzamemi was very atmospheric too. There was so much to do that we didn't even make it over to Palermo, Agrigento and Segesta - saving that for next time!

Thank you!

That Necropolis is one of the freakiest places on earth. It's like real life Funnybones. Real skeletons all dressed up wall to wall. Children may find it especially disturbing. Look, I do know what you mean, there are a few things to see if you really look for them but Italy is crammed with similar ruins so it would never compete with Rome or the Amalfi Coast. I am intending to go back to Erice but it is mainly for the food and the islands.

There weren't any dressed up skeletons when we were there... Just the burial chambers themselves, scattered through a beautiful valley in the middle of nowhere. It's a UNESCO world heritage site. Maybe we're thinking of different places?! Anyway, we'll have to agree to disagree. For me, Sicily's history as a sort of junction between ancient Greece, Rome and North Africa is fascinating. Sure, it's not Rome, but some of the ancient sites are pretty impressive, and if you throw in the beautiful countryside alongside the history then I think it's a fantastic destination.

I remembered last night what you were talking about. I agree that is a nice graveyard. I was thinking of the Catacombs of Cappucini in Palermo. I also find the Arab influences interesting which comes through a lot in the food on the coast closest to North Africa.

This is why I love mumsnet! Just booked a villa and headed straight here for what to do/ where to go. Thanks to you all. 😊

We got back from our trip to Palermo and San Vito Lo Capo last week. Sicily is definitely a mixed bag! There are parts of Palermo that are absolutely disgusting and parts which are beautiful. It's like two worlds. I was very glad we were staying in the Politeama district after seeing the train station area that I was originally considering 😅

Agrigento, San Vito Lo Capo and Cefalu were all absolutely stunning and I'd highly recommend them. I wish we'd managed to make it to Erice but there just wasn't enough time.

I realise this is an old thread but could anyone recommend a site to book self catering accommodation in Sicily please?

@jenthehen I used booking. Accommodation was fabulous- couple break.

Very easy to get around by bus and train so don’t need a car. V hot in summer, so we did early mornings, then a long siesta at the pool/asleep in aircon room, and out again 5pm till late at night. It was lovely! if you don’t enjoy that then April/May/ late September onwards definitely better. We loved Taormina and Cefalu. Palermo for trips but wouldn’t have wanted to stay there. Volcanic islands are a must. Been twice, episode go again tomorrow

Thank you@Andithoughtiwasspecial I’ll have a look.

I disagree with others about the driving. I’ve driven loads in France with no issues, but driving in Sicily was properly awful. The roads are very run down and signage is dreadful.

The people were lovely though. But I wouldn’t go again.

I used Booking.com for accommodation in Ortigia and Taormina.

Wondering if anyone has suggestions for a week long visit over the October half-term? Couple plus 1 year old, keen on cultural visits, beautiful scenery and food!