Sicily

[DC3]

If anybody has any idea how to reduce the instagram link to just the URL let me know

 

[clifford]

I was in Palermo for a few days last October. The weather was beautiful and I really enjoyed the city and surrounds. I was very lucky to be there while the annual Targa Florio rally was getting underway, and being able to watch the classic cars weaving their way through the Palermo thoroughfares.

I stayed in a very nice, reasonably priced 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of the city, which made all the sights and transport hubs quite walkable (at least for me, with only a backpack to haul around). For anyone who may be interested, this is the apartment, which I can thoroughly recommend. Eleonora, the host, was absolutely lovely.

la casa di ELEONORA, Palermo, Italy

Located in Palermo in the Sicily region, la casa di ELEONORA features a balcony and city views.

www.booking.com

I loved Sicily so much that I have made bookings to go back in June and stay in an apartment in Catania for a few days.

 

[clifford]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, an easy half day trip from Palermo is the beautiful beach town of Mondello, which can be easily and inexpensively reached by public bus from Palermo. Google Maps has all the details.

 

[VPS]

Oh, and I forgot to mention, an easy half day trip from Palermo is the beautiful beach town of Mondello, which can be easily and inexpensively reached by public bus from Palermo. Google Maps has all the details.View attachment 430735

Thanks - I think I need three weeks in Sicily to do what I want but only have about 10 days

 

[VPS]

For @TheRealTMA Pecks Milano

Didn’t have time for lunch, but I did have time for a gelato

 

[ellen10]

@VPS , were you happy with your Sicily accommodation ?
And if so can you post the property names.

I am researching places to stay at the moment.

Thank you

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

Oh this thread may be a handy place to ask any experts what it's like (primarily weather wise) in early April?
In the early honeymoon planning stages for Italy and thinking we start in Sicily then head north as it warms up.

 

[VPS]

@VPS , were you happy with your Sicily accommodation ?
And if so can you post the property names.

I am researching places to stay at the moment.

Thank you

I will do. Travelling today but if don’t do it please feel free to nag

 

[MARTINE]

Oh this thread may be a handy place to ask any experts what it's like (primarily weather wise) in early April?
In the early honeymoon planning stages for Italy and thinking we start in Sicily then head north as it warms up.

April and October are the best times ~ not too cold or hot but still pleasant (and less tourists)
Avoid July/August if at all possible

 

[HirafuHeartAttack]

April and October are the best times ~ not too cold or hot but still pleasant (and less tourists)
Avoid July/August if at all possible

Perfect thank you! Yep we've already done France in July and that was hectic so will be forever avoiding peak European summer.

 

[VPS]

Perfect thank you! Yep we've already done France in July and that was hectic so will be forever avoiding peak European summer.

Totally agree.

 

[ellen10]

April and October are the best times ~ not too cold or hot but still pleasant (and less tourists)
Avoid July/August if at all possible

We are in Sicily for 2 weeks the second half of September. Hoping not too crowded.

 

[MARTINE]

We are in Sicily for 2 weeks the second half of September. Hoping not too crowded.

Last trip we were there at exactly that time
Tshirts and swimming every day
Perfect weather
We were in Taormina as base
Not empty but not crowded either
We avoided doing major sites on Wed when the boats came in
Perfecto

 

[ellen10]

Last trip we were there at exactly that time
Tshirts and swimming every day
Perfect weather
We were in Taormina as base
Not empty but not crowded either
We avoided doing major sites on Wed when the boats came in
Perfecto

Thanks for your reply @MARTINE
Did you stay in Taormina? or down near the water?
I was thinking of staying in Taormina, I haven't booked yet.

What activities did you do from Taormina? We will not be hiring a car.

Are you meaning the cruise ship come in on Wednesdays?

 

[VPS]

@VPS , were you happy with your Sicily accommodation ?
And if so can you post the property names.

I am researching places to stay at the moment.

Thank you

Here is the place I stayed at in Ortigia which was lovely. It was only one very large room but the bathroom was fine with a great shower.

The kitchen was tiny and only had gas rings and no oven. There is a little courtyard out the back. It had aircon and heating. It didn't have a view though

The owner lives above and was very friendly without being over the top. Her parents live on another floor and she said they were in wheelchairs so there was a bit of noise but not enough to bother me.

Apartment in Syracuse · ★4.86 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bathroom

Open space apartment with private courtyard

www.airbnb.co.uk

It was a fantastic location - when people say that they loved Syracuse I couldn't quite understand but if they mean Ortigia then I just loved it - the streets, the food everything.

If you're interested in booking I have the owner's number and she might do you a deal if you WhatsApp her

 

[VPS]

OK a little contentious here but I didn't love Taormina. I loved Ortigia and had four nights there and four nights in Taormina. I find Taormina more expensive and not as cosy but YMMV

Rental unit in Taormina · ★4.90 · 2 bedrooms · 3 beds · 1 bathroom

Casa Rosa, Taormina centro

www.airbnb.co.uk

This was my airbnb - location for getting anywhere was great BUT the traffic noise is loud which doesn't bother me. There is also a burger bar about 10 m away and the young kids sit outside and chat. Again that didn't bother me but it might some.

The Airbnb was good in that they left a few supplies like oil, salt and it had glad wrap and alfoil etc.

 

[ellen10]

Thank you @VPS for your links and reviews of the apartments in both Ortigia and Taormina. Its always great to get first hand knowledge of an accommodation.

I have checked out both places and the dates could possibly work for us. I am particularly interested in the Ortigia apartment, so if you are able to send her number that would be great.

Just a question about the bed. Do you know if it is a double or queen? Our preference is for a queen size bed. It doesn't say in the add. The Taormina one says double?

We are flying in to Catania in the evening so will probably stay there a couple of nights. Not big fans on 1 night stays.

 

[MARTINE]

Thanks for your reply @MARTINE
Did you stay in Taormina? or down near the water?
I was thinking of staying in Taormina, I haven't booked yet.

What activities did you do from Taormina? We will not be hiring a car.

Are you meaning the cruise ship come in on Wednesdays?

Hey Ellen

Yes re travellers on cruises.

Our hotel told us that Wed was day to avoid so worth checking.

As personal preference we stay out of central busy areas and use where we are as a base (also don't do airbnb).

Hotel Villa Carlotta Taormina | Official Website

An elegant boutique hotel in Taormina with panoramic views across the Ionian Sea.

hotelvillacarlottataormina.com

Have stayed here and its gorgeous - can walk everywhere but quiet.

I always stay in Taormina /not naxos as everything is walkable and more restaurants etc.

Things to do:
The beautiful gardens (near Villa Carlotta). A rich Cornish woman bequeathed them
The amphitheatre
Icecream at Bam Bam
Lunch at Anciovi (in the 4 seasons where White Lotus 2 was filmed).
Ceramics
Take tours to
- Agrigento (ruins)
- Lipari (one of the Eolian Islands) full of inreresting history
-Palermo ArabNorman UNESCO area. The thousand year old mosaics of Salla Ruggero (which inspire the Ortigia product packaging are incredible).

I fully appreciate not everyone feels the same about a place. Not a controversial view at all @VPS - travel is personal and something I am conscious about when making recommendations about places I have been. So glad you loved Ortigia I do too!

 

[MARTINE]

Ortigia Sicilia Bath and Shower

The Sicilian bath and shower experience - made from the finest Italian essences.

www.ortigiasicilia.com