Cefalu and...?

[RowNine]

We're pretty set on a week in Cefalu this July but normally prefer to tag on a few days in a second location to make the most of the holiday.

Hoping someone who knows Sicily can offer some tips on where to go? Original plan was Palermo but opinions seem very mixed. Going with my husband and our 13 year old. I understand it's a massive island so we need to stay relatively west.

Taormina is lovely. Also Ortigia.

Back again to tap into your mega Sicily wisdom...

Booked flights into Palermo and out of Catania. We are set on 5 nights in Cefalu at the start of the hotel but am in a quandary about what to do next. The options are:

1. Palermo for one night for Saint Rosalia festival then to Taormina for 4 nights in the Una Capotaormina hotel. There is a real lack of accommodation in the town for our dates - this hotel is slightly out of town and the rooms from reviews are dated but has an amazing pool/private beach which I'm sure our daughter would appreciate after our stay in an airbnb in Cefalu.
2. Rent a car and drive down to Syracuse for 5 nights in the Borgo Pantano hotel. This hotel has super reviews but again is out of town but we would have the car to travel around and see the area (which might not be a bad thing).

What would you do?

Probably Syracus. We didn't get to go but it looks beautiful :)

@RowNine Siracusa!
you are in a prime spot for Avola, Noto, Giardini Naxos and Taormina. And Siracusa is beautiful. (Check out Ortigia)
if you want a theme park/water park for your DD you will have Etnaland.

You would also be close-ish to Marzamemi which is also a beautiful beach town.

Brilliant! Syracuse it is then! We like to eat out at night and was a bit worried about driving into town and parking... will we be ok?

There is a car park at the beginning of Ortigia and then i would walk around. The old town is all very narrow. You should be fine as you are not there in August (super high season and everywhere is crowded).

we are going end of May again, I can’t wait. Quite sick atm so the thought of sunshine, beach and pasta is helping enormously.

Where are you staying in Cefalu?

I'm jealous you are going so soon! July seems an absolute age away

What are your plans for this trip? Your tips have all been so good so if you have any more send them my way 😊

Not booked anywhere for Cefalu yet but it will be a apartment right in the centre.

We have stayed at Bordonara Suites before. A building with apartments in the old town. You are super close to a beach and 10min from main beach and close to restaurants and shops. Apartments are small, but modern (rare in Italy) and clean. https://www.booking.com/Share-mVdBQM

This year we are splitting between Avola (and using it as a base for Siracusa, Noto and have friends staying in Ragusa) and then 5 nights in a kids friendly resort near Giardini Naxos (older child wants to see Etna) and I want to go to Taormina. I cannot wait, I love Sicily so much.

also there is an interesting instagrammer who has eaten at most restaurants in Cefalu. I don’t know her personally but her recommendations are good. Check out her Stories (she has been to Cefalu a few times).https://www.instagram.com/jasirahs_travels?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Or Astro Suites is an Aparthotel with apartments, a pool, breakfast and daily cleaning.