Peggy Wood is a travel consultant At James TravelPoints and an American Express Italy expert. Peggy recently traveled to Sicily, Italy.
Americans are just beginning to discover what savvy European travelers have known for years–which Sicily is one of the great vacation spots in Europe.Sicily is small enough that you can conquer it by car in a week although two weeks would be better. Happiness is driving through a world of vineyards and citrus groves, ancient Greek towns and temples while dining on incredible Sicilian fare. Below is the route I choose to travel and would gladly arrange for you. Fly into Palermo, Sicily’s major port and capital, and pick up a car at the airport. Palermo boasts some of the greatest sights and museums in Sicily. Make sure to visit Monreale and its mosaic-laden cathedral and the Catacombe dei Cappuccini. Spend a day or two exploring Palermo and then head east to Segesta, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Italy. Continue on to the enchanting medieval hill town of Erice. This once heavily fortified and walled mountain town, is suspended 2,478 feet above sea level. You can wonder its cobblestone street and peer into flower filled courtyards along its twisting lanes.After a night in Erice, drive to the coastal fishing village of Trapani for a morning visit. After taking in its sights, head south for an afternoon exploration of the wine-producing city of Marsala: over night here.
From Marsala head along the southern coast to the jumble of classical ruins at Selinunte. Since there are few good accommodations in this area continue to Agrigento, one of the most memorable and evocative sights of the ancient world. On your first evening in town, wander around the illuminated Valley of the Temples. You can spend the entire next day exploring the wonders of Agrigento. Its Valley of the Temples constitutes the best preserved remains of “classical Greece”
From Agrigento stop and visit Piazza Armerina, viewing the fabulous mosaics housed in the ruins of a Roman Villa
Head west to Siracusa (Syracuse) and spend at least two nights, with a half-day trip south to Noto if you have time. It’s one of my favorite towns. Of all the Greek cities of antiquity that flourished on the coast of Sicily, Siracusa was the most important, a formidable competitor of Athens.
End your trip with a short drive north to Taormina, a sybaritic escape hugging the edge of a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, one of Italy’s most dramatic spots. Here you can shop, dine, bar-hop, hang out on the beaches far below or make day trips to the black volcanic slopes of Etna.
Finally drive to Catania for your return flight home.
If you are interested in planning a vacation like this, please contact
Peggy at James TravelPoints
303 442-2340 x237 /1-800-538-7461 x237
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