If you are planning a trip to the island of Sicily, but aren’t sure where exactly to start, have no fear. A trip to this wonderful vacation destination can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. With a bit of careful planning, a Sicily family holiday offers some of the best of all Italy has to offer in terms of beaches, cultural sites, and cuisine.
How to Arrive
If you’re flying into Sicily, there are several airports for you to choose from. The Catania-Fontanarossa, Palermo-Boccadifalco and Vincenzo Florio Airport Trapani-Birgi are all highly-recommended airports. Whichever you choose will depend on which region of Sicily you plan to stay in.
Are you currently in Italy and wanting to make your way to Sicily? Well, there’s a route just for you. The capital city of Palermo can be accessed from Naples or Rome via train, just be aware that these trips take between 9 and 11.5 hours. Of course, your trip can be longer or shorter depending on where you’re heading.
If you really want to enjoy the splendor of the Mediterranean Sea, consider taking a ferry into Sicily. Direct Ferries offers trips to Sicily from a variety of Italian cities. These trips can last anywhere from several hours to nearly a whole day, so make sure you’re prepared. If you’ve rented a car and want to use it in Sicily, look for a ferry that offers boarding for cars.
You can make your way to Sicily if you’re on a budget. With the SAIS Autolinee, you can take a bus en route to Sicily from Italy. You just need to be aware of the departure and arrival cities and make sure that you are booking a trip just via bus, as opposed to one that combines both bus and train travel.
Where to Stay
As the largest island on the Mediterranean, Sicily is full of ideal cities for you to stay. Your decision may be influenced by population of the city, available activities, and how easily you can access it.
The largest city in Sicily, Palermo, has over 600,000 people and includes attractions ranging from bustling markets to beautiful museums and churches. Catania, Messina and Syracuse all have populations in the hundred-thousands. There are quieter areas which offer a pleasing Sicilian experience, such as the agriculture town of Centuripe and Favignana, famous for its caves.
You must also consider your lodging when deciding where to stay. Sicily offers great lodging in places both large and small. In Palermo, for instance, you can stay in highly-rated hotels such as the Alma Hotel, a fun modern hotel near the harbor, or the Grand Hotel Piazza Borsa. The town of Taormina isn’t one of the largest in Sicily. However, the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo will give you a scenic view like no other as you take it the glory of Mount Etna. Plus, there are first-rate amenities like a shuttle between sister hotel, Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea (with its own private beach), a luxurious swimming pool and a fitness centre.
If you like to embrace serenity and natural wonder when you unwind, you should look into a number of lovely villas in Sicily. These Sicily vacation rentals range in price but all offer unique charms and amenities. On a brightly-lit day at a Sicilian villa, you can truly feel at peace.
What To Do
Sicily is full of activities for the whole family to enjoy, particularly as a top destination for a beach holiday. If you’re staying in Palermo, you can take a day trip Cefalú. Trapani is in close proximity to a number of beach communities, including Tre Fontane and San Vito Lo Capo. You can also embark on a number of water activities, from scuba diving to sailing tours.
The museums in Sicily also offer an exceptional cultural experience. If you enjoy art, you should visit the Museo Regionale di Arte Mediovale e Moderna in Syracuse and the Galleria Regionale della Sicilia. If you want to learn about Sicily’s history (both good and bad), you should visit the Archaelogical Museum in Argrigento, the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo and the International Documentary Center of Mafia in Corleone.
Speaking of history, nothing says “historical” quite like a castle, and Sicily is full of them. A family trip to see sites like Catania’s Castello Orsino or Ragusa’s Castello di Donnafugata will offer an amazing perspective of what life was like some centuries ago. You should also take in any number of the beautiful churches in Sicily, such as Palermo’s Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio and Chiesa del Gesú and Taormina’s Duomo di Taormina.
Rich in history, culture and natural beauty, Sicily is a truly ideal family vacation destination.
Grazie to our partner Luxury Retreats for this sponsored post.
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