We're going to be in Sicily from June 10th - 14th. We're staying near Messina. We're going to go to Taormina, Mount Etna, etc. I'm trying to convince everyone (there are 11 of us) that we MUST go to Palermo, and I think it's working. I'm wondering what other things are "must see." If you visit Taormina, is it worth going to Argrigento? Should we check out Villa Del Casale? Should we take a ferry to Vulcano and Stromboli? I've never been to Sicily so I have no idea what to see.
if staying in messina i'd definitely go to Taormina and Eolie islands.....don't know about etna and piazza armerina Agrigento.....cool place, it takes a lot of time to get there though, especially if you're staying in Messina.....and 4 days isn't a lot of time.....I suggest you go to val di noto and ragusa instead, much closer than Agrigento, just as beatiful and off the main touristic paths. Palermo....kinda far form messina.....very chaotic city....and there are much better places to see.....like trapani and its surrondings (erice, mozia, favignana), but it's even farther than agrigento...and as i said you only have 4 days.....better stick to the eastern part of sicily: 1 day taormina-naxos 1 day etna 1 day stromboli 1 day ragusa/noto or piazza armerina Good itinerary imo. Of course i'm assuming you have private cars, public transport in sicily is a nightmare.
Thanks for the advice! Yeah, we have rental cars. We'll skip Palermo, for now. I have a feeling that after we visit Sicily once, we'll be back again, and the next time will be two weeks.
I spent a week in Taormina a while ago, and went on day trips to Agrigento and Siracusa. Both were really nice places and definitely worth the driving. I especially liked Siracusa, very cute town. Sicily is a great holiday destination, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun!
It's fascinating seeing the tourist places like Taormina and Erice. I suppose nobody wants to see Catania but it's right there and a vibrant city. I'm just the kind of person who just likes to mix in with the locals. History is cool too though. If I was in Sicily right now I'd immediately go to the beach.
My wife and I had a 6 day stay at the Hotel Villa Ducale in Taormina. Taormina is a lovely town and we enjoyed exploring it. The hotel is small, charming and the personal service was excellent. We had a lovely room with two balconies and beautiful views of the bay and Mt. Etna. Breakfast was excellent and the service delightful. We recommend the hotel as a base for exploring Taormina and Sicily.