Where should be base if we go to Sicily?

[Linda Yoder]

I'm thinking about going to Sicily next year for our 40th. We might bring our family. If we decide to bring everyone and rent a villa where would you base? We love the sea!

 

[Pauline]

We spent a week in Scicli, near Ragusa, in the southeast corner. I liked that area but I wouldn't stay there for seaside. Friends of mine stayed in Taormina, northeast, and loved it and went swimming a lot. Cefalu on the coast east of Palermo has been recommended to me but then I heard that it gets busy with cruise ship travelers (?).

The agency Summer in Italy has properties in Sicily and might have info on their site.

 

[Ian Sutton]

Hi Linda
I guess it depends a lot on what you'd like to see/do there, as there is remarkable variety. Maybe worth saying what appeals below:
- Beach location
- Island hopping
- Vibrant / intense city or off the beaten track village (or inbetween)
- In a vibrant location or Getting away from the crowds - with or without a car
- Easy place to stroll in and around

I certainly would recommend the Aeolian Islands if the call of the sea is strong, with each island having different charms and you'll use local ferries to hop around the islands, putting you very much in touch of the sea. Challenges for this are getting to/from with luggage is perfectly feasible, but can be a bit of a pain on the day (ferries go from Palermo and Milazzo), plus it's not easy to day trip anywhere else but the other islands, though I guess Palermo would be an option.

Lipari/Salina make useful bases, as they are of decent size, but best to choose the island that appeals most, so you spend the most time there.

regards
Ian

 

[Dennis]

Linda:
I hope this hasn't hijacked your inquiry too severely. My apologies if it has.

Perhaps recent visitors to Sicily can help me also. We have the Sicily on our wish list. We are wondering how the island is coping with the refugee situation. Are there particular ports/areas that have received a large influx of individuals? How is the island infrastructure coping?

Any comments would be appreciated and thanked in advance.
Dennis

 

[Sidney]

We spent a week in Scicli, near Ragusa, in the southeast corner. I liked that area but I wouldn't stay there for seaside. Friends of mine stayed in Taormina, northeast, and loved it and went swimming a lot. Cefalu on the coast east of Palermo has been recommended to me but then I heard that it gets busy with cruise ship travelers (?).

The agency Summer in Italy has properties in Sicily and might have info on their site.

Linda:
I hope this hasn't hijacked your inquiry too severely. My apologies if it has.

Perhaps recent visitors to Sicily can help me also. We have the Sicily on our wish list. We are wondering how the island is coping with the refugee situation. Are there particular ports/areas that have received a large influx of individuals? How is the island infrastructure coping?

Any comments would be appreciated and thanked in advance.
Dennis

Hi Dennis. We returned May 3rd from a five week visit to Sicily which involved travel around most of the island. It was our second visit to Sicily. As a tourist you will barely notice the "refugee situation". The only disruption to the infrastructure we experienced in that time was the abundant construction on several of the major highways. The only refugees we noticed were those being housed in a hotel in the small town of Mazzarina, drinking coffee at the local bars and playing soccer in a schoolyard. If the town were larger we probably wouldn't have noticed them. I heard or read nothing while there to suggest there were problems that should concern a traveler. Italy is to be commended for taking in the number of refugees that it has and helping them in this difficult time. Go, relax and have a wonderful time.

Pauline....we spent a week in Scicli and loved it.

 

[Dennis]

Sidney:
Thank you for the update. It is very much appreciated.
Dennis