Sicily / Sicilia
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We have traveled in Italy many times. Sicily is one of the highlights of the country not to be missed. This our first trip in 2000 was so enjoyable that we returned in 2003, saw even more, enjoyed it all again and vowed to return yet another time. For our 2000 trip we flew from Vancouver, Canada into Milan. Avoid the problems we had. Make sure there is not confusion between the two major airports of Milan. On our flight the airline had made a schedule change and ended up flying into one airport while our car was sitting at anouther. We did get things sorted out and picked up our car at the airport and then started what turned out to be a much longer drive than we ever anticipated towards Sicily. We have always enjoyed the Renault TT travel arrangement. We highly recommend the TT arrangement over a rental. |
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As we arrived at Villa San
Giovanni we made hunt
for the appropriate ferry. June is before the high season so getting
a ferry was no problem. Knowing the process is different. Be on guard.
Don't buy your ticket from the helpful attendants in the parking lot.
They sell a ticket for a "service" fee. Now on a subsquent
trip in 2003 we were late and frantic and gladly had a fellow help
us with the ticket process. So I guess it all depends on your state of
mind. But in general, make your way past the attendants, go to the office and purchase your ticket. Bring your car registration with you as the price of the ticket is dependent on the length and weight of your car. If your a fluent in Italian, or the attendant will be able to see your car then it is no problem. The ferry trip is short, under a half an hour. If you leave from Villa San Giovanni the short jaunt across the water will take you to Messina. We were impressed with the schedule. The traffic of Messina is a challenge for your driving. Just watch the signs for the autostrada and get up to the main road as soon as you can. |
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We headed for a great hotel at Giardini-Naxos, just past Taormina. Our stay at the Arathena Rocks hotel was heaven! See our comments on Great Places to Stay. We used Giardini-Naxos as our base to travel to Taormina, Siracusa and Galtagirone. The town of Giardini-Naxos itself really did not do that much for us. The setting is great. The town is along a long curving bay. Hotels are cheaper here than in Taormina. It is just a few minutes up the hill to Taormina. |
Taormina
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Taormina is one of the most pleasant town in Sicily. It thrives on international tourists. The cruise ships anchor in the bay below and the buses bring travelers to the town for the day. But don't let that stop you. The town is not full of the merchandise that haunts many tourist locations. You will fine a town with plenty of charm. Dominated by Arabians from the 9th to the 11th centuries the architecutre that remains is interesting. It was during the 1lth century the Arabs reinforced the city's defences by building, among other things, a tower which is the main part ofthe Palazzo Corvaja. Corso Umberto I, the main street, runs from Porta Messina to Porta Catania. Along it is a line of 15th and 19th century palazzi. There are plenty of good shops. Gelato. Restaurants. You can see Mt Etna from the town piazza. We drove, and parking is is designated lots outside the centre of the city, but Taormina is also accessible by train. All trains from Northern Italy stop at the Taormina station. |
Siracusa
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Siracusa has the impressive parco archeologico della neaplis. This contains the remains of the Greek theatres and some extensive quarries. On our 2000 trip we mainly spend time in the architectural ruins. But don't miss the city. We concentrated on that on our 2003 visit and it is well worth a good day of your itinerary. |
Caltagirone
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Caltagirone is a beautiful town known for its Baroque architecture. We had a great lunch. Climbed the scala di Santa Maria del Monte and shopped for ceramics.
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Agrigento
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Agrigento has the impressive Valle dei Templi and numerous temples and other architectural sites. It was much more than we expected. At one of the main location a road leads from the parking lot. You walk along an ancient Roman wall past impressive temples. Some relatively intact. |
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Segesta includes an impresive Doric temple and a theatre high on the hill overlooking the remains of the ancient city. The temple looks perfect. Only the roof is missing. It was actually never finished. Started in 424BC, it stands unfinished. |
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It is a long, long twenty-minutes walk up the hill to the threatre. There is a bus that, when it is working, shuttles tourists from the bottom to the top of the hill. The walk, however, is worth it. Take you time, enjoy the views, look back the temple. |
Palermo
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I was a bit worried about going into Palermo. Too many tour books had reports on street crime. Well, it took some pressure from Karen, but we went to Palermo and enjoyed every minute of the place. Yes, I actually drove through the city in search of a hotel. Once I found one I left the car and we used buses to travel any of the long distances. |
I was on the search for some great pen stores. I found a number of great stores. The city was wonderful. The architecture and endless sight. In fact, we're going back. Make sure you walk the market areas -- during the day!. The city has a never-ending array of churches that range from Baroque, Normal and mosaic-style buildings. Be sure to visit La Martorana - there will most likely be a wedding going on. |
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Just outside of Palermo is the town of Monreal. The view from "Royal Mountain" is reason enough to travel to the town. But there is more. The Normal Cathedral, although plain in appearance on the outside, offers the most extensive medieval mosaic work in the world, on the inside. The Chiostro dei Benedettini, or cloisters, entered from the side of the church, are impressive. There are some 216 twin columns reflecting the Arab influence in Sicilian art. No two columns are the same. |
San Vito Lo Capo
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Some stops are not planned. They just happen. We were tired, we need a place to rest. We came across San Vito Lo Capo and enjoyed every minute of the place. The small town is on one of Sicily's finest sand beaches. It is a resort town. There is lots of life for the evening promenade. Just walk up and down the Via Savonia, take in the sites and sample the great gelato. What more would one want? |
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When in San Vito Lo Capo take a boat tour along the cost of the Riserva Naturale dello Zingaro. This is a natural reserve with a stunning coastline and aqua blue water. We joined six others on a small boat and had one of the most enjoyable days of the trip. We traveled along the coast, pulled into small coves, dove from the boat and swam. Wonderful. Vito at the Riva del Sole looked after our arrangements. The Riserva is the first natural reserve Sicily established. There are seven kilometres of unspoiled coastline protected by steep mountains. |