First off, if you're driving to Taormina, ensure that your directions to your hotel are spot-on perfect: the twisting hills are confusing. The Michelin Guide directions (online) are extremely detailed.

I liked the Bel Soggiorno: great location and some character. But I hated my room. Book a perimeter room with a balcony/view.

Another tip: be careful of crime. I'm pretty sure that I was targeted while I was there.

The Palazzo San Domenico hotel is an atmospheric place: sneak in and roam the halls at night.

I regret not having visted Castelmola, the village on the cliff overlooking Taormina. I've since heard that there's a phallic-themed bar (Bar Turrisi).

Michelin Guide:
www.michelinguide.com/us/index.html

Hotel Bel Soggiorno:
www.belsoggiorno.com/uk/

Bar Turrisi:
www.barturrisi.com/

My Sicily trip report:
www.travelmusings.net/sicily-2009/

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I love the wonderfully bizarre Atelier Sul Mare art hotel in Castel di Tusa: each room was designed by a different artist. If you're in the area you should spend a half-day in the charming village of Cefalu and climb La Rocca: the view is worth the work.

Atelier Sul Mare: www.ateliersulmare.it/applicazione/index_asm.asp?lang=en

My Sicily trip report: www.travelmusings.net/sicily-2009/

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I hated Palermo. With the exception of the Capuchin Catacombs (just outside of town: a quick bus ride or walk, depending upon where you stay) and the Villa Palagonia.

The Capuchin Catacombs are not for the faint of heart. Fascinating, though.

The Villa Palagonia (aka the Villa of Monsters) is in Bagheria, an easy train ride from Palermo. If you appreciate the bizarre, you'll like PV.

Capuchin Catacombs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_catacombs_of_Palermo

Villa Palagonia: www.villapalagonia.it/

My Sicily trip report: www.travelmusings.net/sicily-2009/

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I hated Palermo. With the exception of the Capuchin Catacombs (just outside of town: a quick bus ride or walk, depending upon where you stay) and the Villa Palagonia.

The Capuchin Catacombs are not for the faint of heart. Fascinating, though.

The Villa Palagonia (aka the Villa of Monsters) is in Bagheria, an easy train ride from Palermo. If you appreciate the bizarre, you'll like PV

Capuchin Catacombs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_catacombs_of_Palermo

Villa Palagonia: www.villapalagonia.it/

My Sicily trip report: www.travelmusings.net/sicily-2009/

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I hated Palermo. With the exception of the Capuchin Catacombs (just outside of town: a quick bus ride or walk, depending upon where you stay) and the Villa Palagonia.

The Capuchin Catacombs are not for the faint of heart. Fascinating, though.

The Villa Palagonia (aka the Villa of Monsters) is in Bagheria, an easy train ride from Palermo. If you appreciate the bizarre, you'll like PV

Capuchin Catacombs: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_catacombs_of_Palermo

Villa Palagonia: www.villapalagonia.it/

My Sicily trip report: www.travelmusings.net/sicily-2009/

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This ancient Greek city is beautiful and atmospheric. It's quite extensive and has good information boards with English to help you with interpretation of the buildings. Around the agora you get a really good feel for how it must have been before it was abandoned 2000 years ago.

It was deserted when we were there, perhaps it's busier in the spring/autumn when it isn't so hot but I got the feeling they're never busy. Make sure you take plenty of water, there's nowhere to buy refreshments nearby. If you've got plenty of stamina you could combine this with the Villa del Casale mosaics for a heavy day's sightseeing.

It is well signposted from Aidone

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Corleone, a small Sicilian city in Palermo province, is a must-see for fans of Mario Puzo's The Godfather. In Corleone there is another place which can be interesting for another group of fans - Soprano Castle, which was the root of the name for the TV series The Sopranos.

For more info please visit
en.sizilien-netz.de/165/palermo-en.html

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In Sicily there are three big natural areas and other little ones.

The first one in the Etna Park. Mount Etna is not only a volcano - it also has a lot of paths and trekking opportunities. The best ones are the excursions on the summit craters on the south side starting from Rifugio Sapienza in Nicolosi (Catania).

The second park is the Nebrodi Mounts. This is between Messina and Catania. This park is full of forests the most known is the "Bosco di Malabotta". The park is a little less accessible so it's advised to use a four-wheel drive vehicle and take a good map.

The latest park is the park of the Alcantara river. This is a river formed in a lava eruption thousand years ago. The river is walkable.

Etna Park - Nicolosi (Catania)
Nebrodi Park - Between Messina and Catania
Alcantara River - Near Francavilla di Sicilia (Very near to Taormina)

The nearest station for Etna Park is the Circumetnea. From here, a rail road goes around Etna and its villages. You can take it in the Catania central railways station (Piazza della Repubblica) or in the Station of Giarre if you come from Messina by train.

More info here:
www.volcanoetna.com

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