Yes, I went a few years ago for a friend's wedding in Ragusa Ibla. If you've ever seen Inspector Montalbano on BBC4 it's the main location for that program. If I remember rightly we flew into Catania and drove down to Noto, stayed there for a night before staying in Modica prior to the wedding. We drove around the south, down to see Montalbano's house (!) and that area. Then we went up to Etna, where we hiked to the top, and Siracusa, then spent a few days at Taormina, which is a more touristy area with the Greek amphitheatre. I like the south of Italy - I've been on holiday in Puglia as well and there are some similarities. It doesn't have the wealth of the north and some of the places look rough around the edges but then you have places like Modica, Ragusa, Siracusa and Taormina that are jewels in their different ways.
Echo all of this, Ragusa and Taormina in particular are very special. The Valle dei Templi in Agrigento is also well worth a visit.
My barber was born in Sciacca and it looks very nice from the videos he's shown me, has that rugged Sicilian charm about it and isn't overpopulated with tourists. He also mentioned Taormina, as others have, and Catania and Palermo. He can't speak highly enough of Sicily, I do wonder why he left 50 odd years ago! Basically you're onto a winner wherever you go I'd have to pay a visit to Corleone personally, for its Godfather filming connection. Enjoy it cuz, the food is meant to be amazing too, an infusion of culinary delights given its location (Italian, Arab, Greek, North African-inspired).
Spent a week in Catania a few years back. It's a lovely place but would hire a car the next time I go to be able to get around more freely. Enjoyed a day in Taormina (as mentioned above) and there is a great wee train that takes you around Etna which is a great day out. There's also a good museum of cinema in Catania which is also worth a visit.
I've driven on the mainland a few times, and if it's anything like that then I'd agree, they like their speed. A case of you're never going to beat them, it would be dangerous to drive much slower than them, so may as well join them!
Nivver been, but i hope ya all av a great time an get plenty of sun and relaxation, me an Wife are going to Fuertaventura in Nov it'll be our first time and the first time Self Catering, any ideas on what we'll need to tek, towels provided. Cheers for any ideas.
Was in Sicily 3 months ago Cefalu Worth a visit. But Sicily is a lot bigger than I thought. You”re not going to “do” it all. Depends what’s near enough to you to visit Drivers are indeed selfish sullen and stupid
http://www.palermocatacombs.com/ This is worth a visit if you are in Palermo and like a bit of macabre. The rich and famous of Palermo 100 years ago like to be preserved/embalmed in their finery.
I take it he was in the 8th army? My grandad was and went to Salerno in September 1943. Then on up to Monte cassino. All after fighting for three years solid in North Africa. Five years without seeing England. No wonder Churchill said: if anybody asks what you did in the war, it shall be enough to tell them them you marched and fought in the 8th army. There's a series on TV at the moment called my grandparents war. The first was the Jon snow actor whose grandad was at Monte cassino, well worth a watch.
Hadn't quite realised just how far away things are. We had a 2hr transfer for example and spent the vast majority of the journey thinking we were going to die! The driver was typically doing 2x the speed limit and was driving one handed. Certainly an experience! We're off to Cefalú tomorrow and Palermo Wednesday but some of the other suggested places are a 6 hour round trip, too far really for a day out
