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Sicily - tips and advice, including over Xmas

Nov 15, 2007 @ 23:55

Christmas is a great time to visit Sicily! However, one size does not fit all....

Winter is low season. Many establishments are closed, or on reduced schedules. Resorts will be open! After the beginning of November, Sicily is really not a beach destination, and even if you were to travel at a different time of year, Siracusa is not really the best area for beaches. Renting one place for Christmas and another for New Years would be a good plan.

When to Go:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/sicily/0771020006.html
Though there is a commercial trend, Christmas is still mostly a religious holiday in Sicily and each town has its traditions and processions. There will be the many religious Christmas festivities. Christmas is a family time in Sicily.

Christmas in Sicily:
http://www.bestofsicily.com/mag/art182.htm

Apparently, Palermo will put on huge popular outdoor shows with pop and rock bands.
The will be free music performances (with 3-4 artists) in the square at Pazza Politeama starting around 9 PM, and going until 2-3 in the morning.
The Teatro Massimo will also offer show (paid). http://www.teatromassimo.it/home_en.html
Restaurants will be open throughout Palermo and Mondello.

Both Siracusa and Taormina are accessible by public transportation (train and bus) from Catania's airport.
Taormina will be decorated for the holidays, but since it is a beach destination, about half the town will close down. It still will be very beautiful and festive. Taormina is an excellent base if you had any intention of skiing Mount Etna! There will be snow on Etna and it will be freezing on the top, so dress in layers and be sure to have warm clothing. The resorts up on Etna will be open.
Skiing on Etna:
http://events.frommers.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=41974
Since Siracusa is more of a city with everyday people, as well as tourists, it may be a better winter base for Christmas (still not the best for New Years!). Siracusa offers many historical sights and has a very significant archeological museum.
Siracusa Attractions:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/syracuseandortygiaisland/772_indattr.html

Siracusa:
http://www.siracusa-sicilia.it/english/siracusa.htm
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/syracuseandortygiaisland/
http://www.bestofsicily.com/siracusa.htm
Holiday Houses in Siracusa:
http://www.bed-and-breakfast-sicily.it/bed_and_breakfast_siracusa.cfm

If you want a town, and a beach, Cefalu may actually be a better base for you for Christmas. Cefalu is on the northern rail line and is only one hour from Palermo. It has a beach, historic center, and outstanding Duomo, good restaurants and day trip to the Madonies, Monreale and Palermo are all possible.
Be sure to see Monreale during this festive time!
Monreale:
http://www.palermo-sicilia.it/english/palermo.htm
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/monreale/
http://www.bestofsicily.com/monreale.htm
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/monreale-duomo.htm
http://www.nozio.com/en/Europe/Italy/Sicily/Palermo/Palermo/events/Sacred_Music_Festival_in_Monreale,_Palermo.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g187890-d195510-Reviews-Monreale_Duomo-Palermo_Sicily.html

Cefalu:
http://www.cefalu.it/index.php?lingua=en
http://www.palermo-sicilia.it/english/cefalu.htm
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/cefalu/
http://www.bestofsicily.com/cefalu.htm
http://www.cefalu.it/strelenco.php?areasito=ric&cat=007&lingua=en

The Residence Santa Barbara is on the outskirts of Cefalu and a good choice with a family!
Residence Santa Barbara:
http://www.residencesantabarbara.com/en/index.htm
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g194726-d564457-Reviews-Santa_Barbara-Cefalu_Sicily.html

General Information on apartment rentals:
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk
http://www.homelidays.com
http://www.stayrentals.com/
http://www.discovery-travel.co.uk/search.asp?types=yes&type=Sicily+%3E+apartment
Villas:
http://www.thinksicily.com/
http://www.discovery-travel.co.uk/search.asp?types=yes&type=Sicily+%3E+Villa
Without a doubt, Palermo would be your best destination for New Years!!
You might enjoy reading about how Italians celebrate New Year's Eve - il capodanno!
http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/a/newyears.htm
Dancing is also popular and many towns have public music and dancing before the fireworks.
Palermo will put on huge popular outdoor shows with pop and rock bands.
The will be free music performances (with 3-4 artists, not sure who yet) in the square at Pazza Politeama starting around 9 PM, and going until 2-3 in the morning.
The Teatro Massimo will also offer show (paid).
http://www.teatromassimo.it/home_en.html
Restaurants will be open throughout Palermo and Mondello.
For further information, contact Palermo's Tourist Information:
[email protected]
091 6058351
Sicilian people love children, but Sicily is not really the most kid-friendly destination!
Etnaland will be closed and it will be too cold for beaches or Alcantara Gorges.
Palermo has lots for kids! Be sure to see the puppet museum!
Palermo for Kids:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/palermo/0135021105.html
Kids would also enjoy Siracusa's aquarium! It's located on Ortygia with entry from the marina below, and all aspects of Mediterranean marine life are explored.
Acquario di Siracusa:
http://web.tiscali.it/acquario_sr/
Earlier post that may be helpful!
Re-connect!
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187886-i343-k1443020-l8739528-
8_days_in_sicily_at_the_end_of_march_beginning_of_april-Sicily.html#8739528

Activities for children - some ideas
http://www.thinksicily.com/sicily/showpage.asp?n=259
For Christmas - Siracusa, Cefalu or Taormina
For New Years - Palermo

GETTING THERE
Worth checking out
http://www.skyscanner.net/de/eur/fluge/gva/cta/dezember-2007/januar-2008/die-billigsten-fluge-des-tages-nach-catania-fontanarossa-von-genf-im-dezember-2007-und-januar-2008.html
Ebookers (Ebookers - http://www.ebookers.ch/ 448 CHF Alitalia. (include tax and fess)depart 21th return Jan 3 for one person, 3h 45m to Palermo via Rome (10% discount for glocalers, so will be like 405 CHF) Less if two passengers purchase ticket together for the same flight)
Expedia...
Alitalia...

CATONIA
Easyjet from Milan

PALERMO
Easyjet from Milan and Gatwick
Ryanair from London Stanstead

TRAPANI
Ryanair from Pisa, Girona (nr Barcelona), Dublin, Dusseldorf, Bremen, Stockholm
And then there is

Or alternatives - TRAIN and BOAT
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/orari_biglietti/index.html
You can book, pay and catch train in Switzerland, and it connects with boat.
Idea of timing: leaves Milan 16:35, arrives Sicily 11:55 next day

Can also get boats from Naples, Reggio di Calabria, Genoa, Cagliari, Malta, Tunisia...

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Re: Sicily - tips and advice, including over Xmas

Post 1

Nov 15, 2007 @ 23:56

1) Things to see and do in Sicily - insider tips (nt)

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1) Things to see and do in Sicily - insider tips (nt)
SimSim, Nov 15, 2007 @ 23:56

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Post 2

Nov 16, 2007 @ 00:21

Worth checking out
http://www.skyscanner.net/de/eur/fluge/gva/cta/dezember-2007/januar-2008/die-billigsten-fluge-des-tages-nach-catania-fontanarossa-von-genf-im-dezember-2007-und-januar-2008.html
Ebookers (Ebookers - http://www.ebookers.ch/ 448 CHF Alitalia. (include tax and fess)depart 21th return Jan 3 for one person, 3h 45m to Palermo via Rome (10% discount for glocalers, so will be like 405 CHF) Less if two passengers purchase ticket together for the same flight)
Expedia...
Alitalia...

CATONIA
Easyjet from Milan

PALERMO
Easyjet from Milan and Gatwick
Ryanair from London Stanstead

TRAPANI
Ryanair from Pisa, Girona (nr Barcelona), Dublin, Dusseldorf, Bremen, Stockholm
And then there is

Or alternatives - TRAIN and BOAT
http://www.trenitalia.com/en/orari_biglietti/index.html
You can book, pay and catch train in Switzerland, and it connects with boat.
Idea of timing: leaves Milan 16:35, arrives Sicily 11:55 next day

Can also get boats from Naples, Reggio di Calabria, Genoa, Cagliari, Malta, Tunisia...

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Re: Sicily - tips and advice, including over Xmas

Post 3

Nov 16, 2007 @ 00:22

I know, heating would be good at that time of year..

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I know, heating would be good at that time of year..
SimSim, Nov 16, 2007 @ 00:22

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Post 4

Nov 16, 2007 @ 00:26

I heard about the crime... and I don't mean Godfather-like..

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I heard about the crime... and I don't mean Godfather-like..
SimSim, Nov 16, 2007 @ 00:26

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Re: Sicily - tips and advice, including over Xmas

Post 5

Nov 16, 2007 @ 10:55

Hi Sim Sim,

i have traveled in Sicily some 12 years ago. I am from the north of italy so not
at all an insider of sicily.
Anyway I had the chance that a geologist from the WWF local group took me to the very top
of Etna volcano while it was active. This is the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. Unfortunately I think it is forbidden, and DO NOT do it on your own. Regular tours approach the edge of Etna, but do not get that close.
Other than that, there was a natural reserve along the river "Cassibile", very beautiful, especially in summertime, when you can swim on it.
As arts and history I enjoyed Noto and Catania.

If you like bakeries and pastries, Sicily is an unknown paradise, just try them when you pass by on the street. Avoid street vendors, buy only from regular shops.
Also a lot of sea food, sometimes mixed with sweet fruits (an heritage from the arabic domination, i think).

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Post 6

Nov 16, 2007 @ 11:01

Go around with a lot of euro coins. Public places (train and coach stations, etc) systematically tells you that they do not have change if you pay with a big banknotes (so they will keep the difference).
If you rent a car, be careful, driving there is dangerous; plus when you park somebody will ask you money and it is better to give him a couple of euros, to avoid further problems.
Do not expect people to speak english.
Dress unassumingly. Society there is male-chauvinistic, to some people independent women means sexual prey.
BTW, I see that you have nice reddish hair, maybe it is the right time to try a different color like dark brown or black.

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Post 7

Nov 16, 2007 @ 11:17

try to contact the local students associations:

http://www.aegee-catania.org/
http://www.aegeemessina.it/
http://www.aegeepalermo.org/

they are always kind with people coming from abroad, and can give you some more tips about the cities, where to stay etc.

(tell them you are friends of mine - Marco Castroni from AEGEE Roma)

ciao
marco

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Post 8

Nov 16, 2007 @ 14:28

"BTW, I see that you have nice reddish hair, maybe it is the right time to try a different color like dark brown or black."

LoL...This is by far, the funniest travel tip I have ever heard...

Sim, Would you consider?

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Nov 16, 2007 @ 18:15

dont worry about the red hair: since Sicily was once dominated by French, lots of people still have northern european features (red hair, blue eyes)...
All the other tips posted by tullio are absolutely TRUE!

About the means of transport: I suggest you not to take the train from Milano to Palermo, since is known for being one of the most uncomfortable trains in the italian railways. Try to catch a plane to Palermo or Catania or Eurostar to Napoli + boat to Palermo.

ciao
marco

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Post 10

Nov 17, 2007 @ 10:12

I know that my advice about paining her hair seems excessive.
On the other hand, many woman paint their hair just for fun, so she
may like that, and if it helps to avoid bad attentions... why not?
BTW: Sicily was also dominated by the Vikings (other than French,
Arabs, Spaniards, maybe Brits and Savoy); I think that is a
better explanation about people with Nordic features.
Still Sicilian survived to wars and violence.
That can also explain some sides of their culture that now a day look negative.

Tullio

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Nov 17, 2007 @ 10:19

Wayne, you are a man. My unusual advice apply mostly to woman. So you could be glad even with red or blond hair.

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Wayne, you are a man. My unusual advice apply mostly to woman. So you could be glad even with red or blond hair.
tullio, Nov 17, 2007 @ 10:19

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Post 12

Nov 17, 2007 @ 23:00

Apparently, Palermo will put on huge popular outdoor shows with pop and rock bands.
The will be free music performances (with 3-4 artists) in the square at Pazza Politeama starting around 9 PM, and going until 2-3 in the morning.
The Teatro Massimo will also offer show (paid). http://www.teatromassimo.it/home_en.html
Restaurants will be open throughout Palermo and Mondello.

Siracusa (in East) is perhaps another place to check out?

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