anyone been to sicily?

[nappyaddict]

where are the best places to go with kids? is there much to do apart from go on the beach?

How old are the kids in question?

erm 4, 2, 2, 2.

OK, not sure where you might be going but here's a few:

ETNALAND - zoo and aqualand - with slides, cable cars, pools, dinoworld and rides (for bigger ones). V busy in August though.

FERROVIA CIRCUMETNEA - narrow gauge railway from Catania Borgo around Etna, beautiful views

ETNA CRATER - lovely drive up through cool pine forests (perfect for picnics). Etna itself is like being on the moon and quite something. You can also go up in a cable car with a jeep ride to the edge of the crater (but I don't think I'd take 2 years olds on that LOL).

CASTELLANA PARK - another great aqua park

ACQUAPARK MONREALE (PALERMO) - another one

TOY MUSEUM (CATANIA) - haven't been there but a friend told me they have shows for kids and there's lots of hands on stuff.

AGRIGENTO - is also very interesting. Big Roman archaeological area. No real facilities (except drinks). Fantastic to run around but DO NOT go in August. It is unbearably hot.

Taomina and Cefalu are lovely towns to wander round and sit and drink in cafes.

lol that's what i was asking - which area is best to stay in. we haven't decided yet cos we don't really know where all the attractions are.

Practice your Italian. I have none, just French and found it hard to make myself understood. I wasn't planning on going to go to Sicily but diverted.

around catania is etnaland and other etna type things. cefalu/palermo other side of island (about 3/4 hours drive) - taormina half way between 2.it is gorgeous but not sure best for little ones. cefalu has nice beach and some good hotels. not sure what there is around catania as we stayed in town

where's the castellana park?

Castellana is at Marina di Ragusa.

Re attractions, I think Sicily is not really full of attractions of kids but there is lots to do. Best to find yourself a good place near a resort.

what you mentioned already sounds plenty to do! what else is there to do?

We went when DS1 was little so not the same as having four little ones in tow.

We stayed with friends between Messina and Catania. Things we did; Etna, narrow gauge railway, mountain monasteries, hilltop towns (including scary mafia one), religious festivals (fantastic fun for kids with fireworks, processions etc), catacombs (defo too scary for little ones but really interesting), beach, Etna land, ceramic factory, roman and greek ruins (great again for kids to run around), boat ride and lovely lake one night full of restaurants. As I said earlier places like Taormina and Cefalu are really nice.

Be warned Sicily is not Italy. I loved it and will definitely go back again but the driving is VERY bad, the people can be quite rude (although actually this is just their way and they are lovely underneath) and watch your purse!

"Be warned Sicily is not Italy. I loved it and will definitely go back again but the driving is VERY bad, the people can be quite rude (although actually this is just their way and they are lovely underneath) and watch your purse! "

sounds just like italy to me

LOL

What I meant to say is it is worse (well with the exception of Naples!)