Sicily Travel by car Routes Coordinates GPS. Traveling on the roads of Sicily

Many experienced travelers advise to explore Sicily by car. Indeed, public transport in this part of Italy is not very well developed. But still, even tourists who have no opportunity to rent a car, may well come around the main part of Sicily, taking advantage of trains. If you still rent a car (you can choose the appropriate on this link), you will still find useful information in our article.

Catania

Most people start familiarizing with Sicily from Catania, where one of the largest airports of Italy is located. If you decide to rent a car, the racks of the corresponding offices can be easily found at Catania Airport, following the signs. Machine rental services work around the clock, but we recommend taking care of it in advance ,.

Taormina and Etna

If you are larger than natural beauty and beaches more, then we advise you to live closer to the sea coast. So you can visitIsola Bella. - The most famous Beach Taormina,Mazzar and located a little further resort townGiardini Naxos. . Choose a suitable accommodation in this part of Taormina, clicking on the names of the beaches, and in our special article, see the best hotels with your own beach. However, you can get to the sea and from the city center, for this you will need to take advantage of the bus or the funicular. All accommodation options.

Chephala

Next, our journey will continue in the direction of Cefal, located on the north shore of Sicily. To get from Taormina to this city, one transplant will be required in Messina. Trains depart S.Taormina - Giardini. . Time on the way - from 3 to 5 hours. The trip will cost 12 to 23 euros.

Cheefalu is notable for a beautiful scenery, Norman architecture and a slutful peace, characteristic of fishing towns. To better get acquainted with it in a short time, try to find accommodation near the Cathedral Square (the best deals in this area can be found under this link, and all the options).

Agrigento

The next point of our journey is Agrigento, which in itself is a kind of open-air museum. This city is located two hours from Palermo. Train arrives at the stationAGRIGENTO BASSA. . The cost of the trip is about 9 euros.

Syracuse

The trip according to Sicily will not be complete if you do not see Syracuses, where to this day the spirit of antiquity is quite harmoniously getting along with modern pace and lifestyle. A lot of time is a trip to this city from Agrigento - from 5 to 8 hours, and at least one transplant will be required. In terms of prices, the journey to Syracuse will cost 14-19 euros.

If you manage to carve time for a beach holiday, then Syracuses have something to offer tourists dreaming of refreshing in seawater. BeachCalamosche. Many are considered the most beautiful in Sicily, and, the only thing he is inferior to the beautiful beaches of Taormina, this is not enough developed service. FROMAgnone A surprising view of Etna opens. A Beach.Punta Asparano. You will delight fans of privacy: usually there are much fewer people here.

Get acquainted with the historic and architectural property of the city and learn about the significant events that occurred in different epochs of the existence of Syracuse can be ordered.

Having drove along this route, we can safely say that you have seen the main sights of Sicily, and is the time to return to the starting point of our trip - in Catania. Time on the way is about 1.5 hours, the ticket will cost about 7-11 euros.

We wish you a cheerful and joyful journey in Sicily!

If you decide to visit and watch Sicily, then without road transport there is no need to do. Railways connect far from all interesting places and cities, and trains are rare enough. It is the most convenient to take the car on the rental and drive around the island on it. However, a trip by car in Sicily has many important features.

Rental. Take a lot from the choice of rolling offer, on the Internet there are a lot of reviews about problems with this action. The southern Italians are very cunning and love other people's money, most likely you will try to earn money - include different options in the price, hang scratches and the like. This sin all Italian offices that are not satisfied with your pathetic 100 euros for renting a car. However, large international companies also turn out to be not very honest. I personally for 325 euros deceived Budget / Avis (in Italy this one office). Despite the paid rent, I was brought to me after passing the car of any items - another class of auto, administrative fees, gasoline, etc. and TP. I'm trying to return the money until now, the company's office itself refuses to communicate with me. And administrative fees for any services there is simply astronomical.

Having received the car do not forget to check its condition, with an additional inspection we found about 10 scratches, dents and so on, you may not doubt, after passing the car they will hang them. Therefore, check carefully what you sign and do not give up the additional insurance - a third-party company or a rolling office to ride calmly, especially in Sicily all the cars are very scratched and disturbed, you don't scratch you, they scratch you.

Expensive. Roads in Sicily bad. It is said that such a state supports the Sicilian mafia, which has good with it. The poor condition is expressed in constant holes on the expensive, repair of individual sites, lack of in certain places of Osfalt and TD. You can drive, but with the breeze you can pass a little where. Especially fun on highways, where you can ride 130, and local chasing and under two hundred. There are plenty of tests for suspension - holes, bumps, irregularities. Relatively good routes between Plow and Katania, the track from Catania to Palermo, from Catania to Messina, Messina-Palermo and Palermo-Trapani, that is, the north of the island, the south of the middle (Skania-Palermo highways) is all much worse. Estimated speed there by navigator 50-70 km per hour. Go from the track and then it can be anything. Especially difficult at the dark, the roads are not covered at all, the reflectors are not everywhere, many tunnels are not covered, without a long-range headlight, visibility is 10 meters forward, I am silent about axial marking, pointers and restrictions, they love to forget about them.

There are in Sicily and paid roads. Their two and the quality of the canvas they are not at all better than free. The first - the Riding Trail - Messina. There are mostly some tunnels, the length of a plot is about 150 km. A plot from Catania to Taormina (middle) costs 2 euros, from Taormina to Messina - another 2 more euros. But for the fare on the highway from Messina to Palermo (185 km before the connection with the Riding-Palermo route) you will have to give 10 euros and 10 cents. I advise you to make a small hook and go along the free track of Catania-Palermo, it will even be better.
Use simply. Handing to a raid area where bandwidth are located, try to choose extremely left forwards, and not the ones where only Telepass is specified is an automatic calculation system that is only at local. In your case, you need a passage where you drive up, press the button (or the machine itself gives) and get a tumbler. At the entrance to the track, such buttons must be in all the movements. But leaving the paid section of the road, you choose the passages where money or cashier is drawn. That is, a living person is sitting in the booth, you give a coupon, you are highlighted in value and you pay. It seems other than the cashiers there are also automata receiving credit cards, but if you are in the passage where only TelePass system cannot be paid, then wait for a fine. In general, nothing complicated, before entering there is always a place and time to think about wherever you need. I prefer to deal with a living person. The first time I entered the paid track, I did not take a twin ... however, when I paid, I said from where I'm going and paid 2 euros without any coupon.

Entering the paid track. Make sure that you do not need anything - there are only phones for emergency communication, there is no cafe, refueling, workshops or something else, just the road and still pockets.

Orientation. In general, the island of small, roads are not so much, pointers, mostly have. You can ride and without navigation and maps, but it is better to make a couple of printouts, follow geolocation or use the navigator, at least, he will tell the hasty way. However, in all three cases, they will still have to shift. And if you eat in a small town, the ruins of the ancient city and something like that, then the route must be laid in advance, the pointers only for small objects for a couple of kilometers.

Road to segest

Driving rules. Road police I have not seen on the roads. There are cameras, they are two types - hang over the road and they can be seen from far away and several that are directed at you from the opposite strip. They work or not - I do not know. Local worn despite any restrictions, but in some places they will crawl as a turtle. Speed \u200b\u200bin the city 50, on ordinary roads 90, on the highway 130. But because of the poor coverage there are a lot of restrictions, up to 30 km per hour. If they are all observed, you will not attend anywhere. Otherwise, everything is clear, especially signs here the road does not overload.

Behavior on the road. Locals do not comply with the rules of driving at all - they chase as they want, turn signals do not include, can dazzling away from the distant light, to overtake, to be reinsured as they want, do not look at you before turning, bring it somewhere. Especially here is bad with priorities, there are no them on many roads - who should give up - it is not clear. You will not miss you. Who is the first to get on the road, that's right. On the highway is not so scary, and in the city it is difficult, be very attentive. Especially follow the mopeds, they are going as they want and for any light (motorists also do not always watch), get out of any side.

Along the route. There are almost no gas stations along the roads, they are mainly standing on congresses or in settlements. Be careful and follow the fuel level. Cafe and shops are also rare, only if you are not going through the city (clearly not a highway). Also on the road you can hardly find a tireage or service .. I drove the wheel on Sicily and 4 days went with temporary, the tireage found it only in Messina in the city center, there are no them on the road and it is very strange.

Time Wheel Machine

Safety. At every corner you will be warful that they will leave something in the car - even though a hat, even an empty package - it is impossible, the likelihood is that the car is climbed. There are streets and areas where the probability of robbery is equal to almost 100%. In the rolling office, for example, I saw a list of such streets. Locals also advise nothing to leave anything. If you are parked, choose crowd and illuminated places.

Refueling.There are quite a lot of dressing, but they are usually in settlements or at the entrance, there are almost no routes on the tracks - the owners are simply inconvenient to ride there, taking into account that most are private. It is rumored that you can deceive you, to not be cheat, follow ... especially near the airport, where car rent. I, it seems, did not come across. You can refuel Diesel and gasoline 95, diesel can be two categories, premium diesel stands like gasoline. An interesting feature of Italian gas stations, it is possible to refuel alone. Not everywhere there are employees, and in the evening and there is no one in the weekend there. So refuel yourself. Drive up to the desired column, where Self-service is specified, find a number of automatic, insert a card or bills there - 5/10/20/50, then click on the speaker number and then only(!) Go to insert hose with the right fuel. It is important not to confuse the order! If you first insert the hose, and then pay, the machine will eat your money and give a check. Check on the bearer on the column, if there is an employee, give him, get money, if there is no one ... Well, you yourself understood. I knew about it, but at the last refueling, I was distracted and I pressed the wrong button, and then took a gun. The machine issued a check for 20 euros and get money at this refueling I could no longer. They helped in a hotel, the owner took a check there and gave money. Well, we agreed, but it was the only chance.

There are also cases that as soon as you move away from the machine, it takes up to it, make cancellation, take a check and leaving. Otherwise, everything is simple, after you insert the hose and press the dog, the fuel will go smoothly on the amount. If you press the check button immediately after payment, then after refueling you will be issued a check with the cost of gasoline. It is possible to refuel both if it is, but usually, in this case, a liter costs from 12 to 25 cents more expensive, and it is from 10 to 40% of the total cost. But this is not everywhere and it is better to do everything yourself, so no one will deceive. But how to make a full tank, paying myself - I do not know ... If you have a place for 5 liters, and you paid 10, then either you will start to pour fuel, or you will be given a check with an unspent number, the field of how the tank Fill. Be careful, returning the car in the evening or on weekends, finding the refueling with the teller will be difficult, I had to wise in such a situation - to dial the pieces of 5 euros and refueling so that the car showed a full tank before the office. Perhaps a credit card can be paid more selectively, but determine how much you need liters to the full tank it is difficult.

Parkovka. With parking in Italy and in Sicily, it's hard, here on each street either you can park, or it is impossible. If possible, it is usually paid. The streets are narrow, there are few places, and local and so many cars. In the season there is very bad, at another time easier. Focus on signs, if there is a parking sign on the street, then under it are the conditions and costs. It is possible to directly stand restrictions on time and weeks of the week, for example, on weekends for free. But there are parking and only residents. Paid places usually celebrate blue paint, white - free. Yellow - for disabled. If you get up on the paid parking, then search for a parking lot where you pay for the desired number of hours. On average, parking costs from 60 cents to 1 euro per hour. Then the check is put under the windshield, to be visible.

However, it is usually around a lot of parking and free - shopping centers, shops, in squares, along ordinary streets and prospectuses. There is no problem in the afternoon, there is definitely no problems, in the evening it is already necessary to watch, try to choose hotels with private parking. If you are not sure, paid this parking or not, look under the glass in neighboring parked cars, there are cakes - paid, no - free.
Sometimes on free parking parks, you can only park for a couple of hours, under the sign Special icon, which coincides with the cardboard clock you have under the glass (there is on all rented cars). On the clock under the glass you exhibit the arrival time and return, respectively, not later than the required time (after 2 hours, for example) or simply change the time by passing by.

Under the prohibiting signs, it is possible to stop for half an hour without any problems, and do local, but for a day the car here, of course, will not leave. However, there were no parkers or evacuators in Sicily.

Yes, and when choosing a car at the box office, Hummer does not take - put it will be much more difficult. Choose better Italian little model.

I remember once again that in the car it is impossible to leave anything, I, however, left the suitcase, but I did it in the afternoon and in decent places, just in the trunk he was not climbing.

In major cities on free parking, helpers, Italians or migrants, who provide incomprehensible services ... Usually, the service is that he waves to you with his hand, like here is free, come ... Everything. They will not guard the car, follow, help leave or something else, with me the car left and decently tired another car, this stood next and did not react at all. For services, they want money .. although one euro is enough, but I heard them and 5 asked. I rarely parked on such parking lots and did not give money. In general, it is unpleasant, we pass by, and some kind of the wisfony to you. And when you are leaving, he runs to you, shakes money, shows the whole view that he needs to pay. True, they keep parking constantly and should not harm the car in case of non-payment, but in order to pay, I did not see much.

There are two Africans in the distance, they keep this parking on Palermo Embankment

ZONA TRAFFICO Limitato zone.This is the headache of Italy and a bunch of nerves and spoiled mood. In Italy and in Sicily, the city provide their place for transport in that they prohibit non-residents enter into certain parts of the city. You drive up to the center - "Batz", ahead sign and camera. Somewhere this zone is not, somewhere the zone is only at the cathedral, and somewhere half the city in it. I drove and get a fine from 40 to 120 euros. On the Internet map of this zone is only on large cities and then not for everything. The signs are usually hanging the terms of the passage, sometimes a non-resident can enter early in the morning or late in the evening, but usually it is better not to face and go around the city center so that the navigator does not speak. Sometimes, if you live in the center in a large hotel, then the administration can send paper to the police and the penalty will not take, but not all this hunting to do and not all hotels have it right, it is better not to contact, I think.

Sometimes I viewed the option so as to hide the rear charges with a paper or cloth, the same when leaving, but this is an extreme case, caught .. Beggar! I myself have not seen such framing.

A little relaxation with the zone is outside the season, according to locals, in winter, and I traveled in January, the system does not work ... As a result, I once drove into the zone. On the Internet it is told that often the entrance to the zone is on a narrow street, from where you do not lead and drive it only forward, I did not come across such. Signs hang obviously, they often warn and mainly in the center.

If the route passes through the city, let and past the cathedral is not a problem, there will be no zones there. However, it is better not to tempt and not to go to the very center, leave the car on the outskirts of the town or within the center. Yes, it will be necessary to walk, but so calmer.

From 10 to 7, it is impossible to call for non-nominal

Sicily in the main cities with the zone is the following situation. In ZTL riding only around the cathedral and on a pair of neighboring streets. Get into it difficult. In Taormina, the whole city in the zone, how to get to the city on the mountain without a car - I do not know. Well, do not drain you suitcase a couple of kilometers up. It was here that I drove, although I spent a lot of time on clarifying, walking and so on, there is no alternative paths (I did not find). In Messina on the main streets without problems. In Palermo zone there is only in the old town, park immediately after entering the center - 2 km around the cathedral, but the most busy streets do not contain restrictions, only small streets, entrance to the houses. In Montreal, enter the center will not work. In Raguez, the car must be left on the ring around the old (lower) city, but everything is obvious there. In Syracuses, feel free to enter the island of Ortiga, where the old town, only the most center of the island is closed, the main roads with many free parking are free for travel. As a result, if you are attentive, there should be no problem.

I hope that this detailed story will help you to visit Sicily without any problems and go around everything you need.

Mike ended fourth Traveling in Italy - This time I looked at only one region - but what - SICILY - This is the largest region of Italy. And the journey turned out to be the biggest duration - 29 days and it was committed without knowledge of foreign languages \u200b\u200band only thanks to my thorough preparation!

It can be said that all these days I slowly and slowly slowly, folded a multicolored Sicilian mosaic, which was extremely colorful. As a result, Sicily Saclosetels the most bright colors - this is the azure and blue color of the seas that are washed from all sides - this is black - the color of her volcanoes and lava, on which many Sicilian cities are standing - and white - color - Its snow-white beaches, a gold color - in her Byzantine mosaics, green color is its subtropical vegetation - cacti, cypresses and palm trees, the red color is a rustling of her colors (so much red I have not seen anywhere in Italy), burgundy color is the color of her famous Win - Nero Devilo and Fastened Marsala and so on ...

All colors spurled into a single picture and turned out to be unforgettable Sicily!

Sicilian mosaic also developed from a variety of components, none of which I did not want to miss - this is its sights. More than thirty cities and towns were inspected (from its capitals, such as Palermo and Skania - before the ancient and very small-such as Erice (in which only 500 people live now), I saw dozens of Byzantine, Arab, Norman castles and fortresses, A huge number of outstanding cathedrals and modest churches, antique ancient Greek temples (which have been preserved better than in Greece itself), the ancient Roman villas and strengthening, rose to two operating volcanoes (ethna and volcano), was in the mountains and rocks and almost every day - bought and Sunborn on the beaches of the Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Mediterranean seas, visited several natural parks. All major sights of this largest island in the Mediterranean were inspected! Therefore, now I can firmly say that I folded the Sicilian mosaic!

The decision on the trip to Sicily was taken in the summer of 2014, after the third trip in Italy - it was decided to devote the next trip - southern Italy and at first I had Napoleonic plans - to examine the whole South Italy for a month (Kalabria, Apulia and Basilikatu) together with Sicily. Highlighting for these two parts for two weeks. However, starting training, I realized that I did not fit in two weeks - neither in southern Italy nor Sicily. I decided not to suffer and take two trips to the month. This summer was Sicily. And the next summer will be devoted to southern Italy.

I have already noted that Italy cannot be covered in one - two or three times - it is necessary to patiently and there is no rush to inspect from one to three regions of this country. It does not bother me - because, Italy my favorite country in Europe.

Sicily, in general, according to its Maschatabam in Europe, can be viewed as a separate country. According to the population (more than 5 million inhabitants), for example, it is more countries such as Croatia and Slovakia, in the territory of almost equal to Belgium.

Although I would not be Sicily to separate from the rest of Italy. Sicily is southern Italy and special differences in the lifestyle, I did not find in the population - compared, for example, with a campaign region (Naples) - but the attractions are of course different!

That's what I wrote Goethe in 1787 after my trip about Sicily - "Italy without Sicily, does not leave any image in the shower - only here is the key to the whole."

My journey, I planned for myself and in my favorite and long-term proven scheme (which brings me pleasure from traveling) is a combination of cultural recreation (sightseeing) and beach holidays (mandatory on the warmth of the sea) and Sicily in this respect is suitable simply impeccable.

By the number of attractions announced by UNESCO World Heritage Heritage of Mankind in Sicily, they will overtake such tourist countries as Austria and Hungary.

So, that there are no problems than to take themselves in Sicily.

I would also like to dispel two myths that have developed about Sicily.

First myth - The fact that in the summer (in July and August) is impossible to be hot! This is not the case, the weather all the days was sunny, I forgot what clouds are. But the temperature was very comfortable. I can safely compare it with the weather in the Crimea - exactly the same - 26-30 degrees. Only probably is dry and more windy. And the sea is naturally always warm (24-26 degrees) and unlike the Crimea without jellyfish (I have not seen any).

Therefore, do not be afraid to go - in Italy -let, because in the summer you will have one of the main advantages is a gorgeous and warm sea. After all, it's so beautiful when you get tired and you are on the sights - dive into the sea and swim on the waves, all fatigue disappears instantly!

Second myth- That Sicily is impossible to inspect using only public transport - it is not. I drove all Sicily - using only public transport (buses and regional trains). When you travel one or two, it will be more and more likely than taking a car, and if threesome and four times, then probably it is already a fitting car. True, with public transport it is difficult to deal with many bus companies of various firms, different train stations, stops, cash - but I ultimately figured out and expose all info in the near future in the "Councils" on this site.

Now let's go, finally - to the most beautiful places and cities I saw (I tried to invest in one report, but this is also not real - therefore there will be two of them) and also, I advise you, who has a vacation of only 14 days - to allocate two vacation in Sicily, it will be the most optimal and breaking the trip to Two parts - Eastern and Western Sicily. Therefore, now we will pass only Eastern Sicily, according to her coast, which is washed by the Ionian Sea.

July 15, I landed about 13 hours in Catania, which is the capital of Eastern Sicily and the second city on the island in importance, yielding only Palermo.

For each city, there will be a separate report in the future, as well that I will note that skating has become the extraction of many empires throughout its history from the Greeks to Romans, from Arabs to Normannov and Spaniards. However, the most terrible enemy of Catania is right under her sideways - this is an ethna volcano who destroyed the city several times, the last time almost completely in 1693. In Catania, a huge number of cathedrals and other important attractions. In the photo below - Cathedral Cathedral

Enough and two days. During this time, you can inspect the main attractions, try local cuisine and, if you wish, visit local beaches. Housing in Palermo is better to book in the city center, avoiding the Okrain. See hotels in the best areas of Palermo on this link.

You can explore Palermo on your own or order city excursions with a Russian-speaking guide, it is possible to do this.

First, let's go through local markets. Three major market Palermo:Vucciria, Ballaro and Capo Located in the city center. You can stroll through the markets yourself or join the Gastronomic Tour, during which you will have the opportunity not only to enjoy Sicilian delicacies, but also to learn more about the history of markets and culinary traditions of Sicily. One of the advantages of local markets is that they work all day, so you can stock provisions and early in the morning, and late in the evening.

Walking in the city center, you will certainly see the Cathedral of Palermo, which is the main architectural landmark of the city. Try to carve time to inspect the Norman Palace, also known as the Royal Palermo Palace, which once occupied Sicilian kings.
The easiest way to inspect the key sights of Palermo is to go through its main street.Via Vittorio Emanuele. . Here you will see not only palaces, churches and museums, but also a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. StreetVia Vittorio Emanuele. will lead you to the famous area "Four Angle"Quattro Canti. which symbolizes seasons.

If you prefer a home furnishings, you can stay in hotelsB & B, for example, in Al Giardino Dell "Altoro located in the old town of Palermo (Vicolo San Carlo 8, from 70 euros per night), or inexpensive, but tastefully furnishedAlla Kala. which is located on the main street of the city (Via Vittorio Emanuele. 71, from 90 euros per night). Other hotels in Palermo can be found.

Chephala

After acquaintance with Palermo, we will go to Cefalu, which is 73 kilometers from the capital of Sicily. The ride by car will take a little more than an hour.

Taormina

From Cefalu we will go to the pearl of Sicily - the famous resort town. Trip to Taormina, which is located about 210 kilometers from Cheefalu, will take 2.5 hours. Many consider Taormina too pretentious and expensive place to relax. In part, it is true, especially relatively high cost, but it cannot be denyed the beauty and charm of this city. Here you can stay for a couple of days and, if you are by car, it is better not to settle in the historic center, as it is closed for travel and there are no parking. You can see hotels that are convenient for motorists.

In Taormina there are many classes for each tourist: from inspection of historical monuments, to a relaxed holiday on the beach, from the study of cultural traditions and history, before exploring culinary delights of Sicily. In the heart of Taormina, an antique theater is located - a unique historical monument of ancient Greece, created before our era, it is still a venue for the main cultural events of the city. The other popular attraction is Taormina - Palace of Corvadjo, in which the Museum of Art of Sicily is located today. Korvjo Palace is located near Vittorio Emanuela Square.

But many travelers attending Taormina attracts not her rich cultural heritage, but, first of allIsola Bella. . This place is considered the most beautiful beach on the coast of Sicily. Beaches are also very popularMazzaro. Located right at the foot of Taormina. To get to the beachesMazzaro and Isola Bella It is necessary to use the funicular.
Stay in TaorminaExcelsiorpalace (Viale Pietro Toselli 8, from 70 euros per night), which is a 10-minute walk from the ancient theater. Also worth seeking the hotelTaodomus (Corso Umberto 224, from 80 euros per night) located on the main pedestrian street Taormina. Other hotels in Taormina, see this link.

Volcano Etna

Taormina from Etna separates only ride, but to visit the volcano, it is better to book a sightseeing tour, it can be done along this.

There are several options to get to Etna. The first is to get to the car toRifugio Sapienza. . There you can buy a ticket to the funicular or jeep, which rise up ethn. The second option is to buy an excursion and get to Etna with the guide. Another way that is suitable for extreme leisure lovers is to get toRifugio Sapienza. And try to climb on the ethno on your own. But this is a risky option, which also requires good physical training.

Catania

After visiting Taormina and Etna, we head to, located 68 kilometers from Taormina. The trip will take about one hour.

Getting closer to Catania and learn from all sides by ordering a tour with a Russian-speaking guide or independently.

To see the historical center of Catania, it will be enough one day. Come on the Cathedral Square, on which the main cathedral of Catania is located - the Cathedral of Saint Agatha and the famous Elephant Fountain. In Catania, it is necessary to see the Ursino fortress - one of the few buildings, surrendered and during eruption of Etna in 1669, and after the earthquake of 1693. Today, the Municipal Museum of Catania is located in the castle of Ursino.

Walk on the main shopping street of CataniaVia etnea. which connects the Cathedral Square with the foot of the ethna, will give you the opportunity to see many churches and palaces adorning the center of Catania. You can also look at the fish market, located close to the Cathedral Square. It is considered the best seafood market in Italy: you will strike a huge assortment and a bright palette of the catch of Sicilian fishermen.

If you want to stay in the heart of Catania, pay attention toUna Hotel Palace (Via Etnea 218, from 113 euros per night). This is an elegant minimalist hotel, with a terrace of which you can admire the species of ethn. A B.B & B Crociferi (Via Crociferi 81, from 75 euros per night), which is located on one of the most beautiful streets of Catania, you will be surrounded by family care and home comfort. Other hotels in Catania See.

Syracuse

The next point of our journey will be an ancient city, which we will get about an hour, overcoming 65 kilometers separating the Syracuse from Catania. In Syracuses, you can safely stay for 2-3 days: there are beaches, and many attractions. Hotels in Ortigia, the historic center of Syracuse, can be viewed on this link.

Acquaintance with Syracuses is better to start with Orthigia - the old city. Here is a large part of the attractions, and besides, it is just a very pleasant place for walking. In a couple of hours you can get around the whole island of Ortygia and see the palaces in the Archimedes Square, the Cathedral, the Spring of the Arret, Castle, Maniach and the Temple of Apollo.

If you are interested in history, one day in Syracuses can be devoted to visiting the Naplek Archaeological Park, in which the Greek Theater is located, the "Ear of Dionysius" cave, Caracuses, and the remains of other ancient buildings.

Syracuses also have beautiful beaches such asCalamosche, Fontane Bianche, Vendicari and Marine Reserve Plemmirio . They perfectly deserve to highlight a little time during the visit to Syracuse and soak on the snow-white sand under the rays of the Sicilian Sun.

If you want to learn more about Syracuses, admire antiquity monuments, admire the beauty of modernity and get acquainted with the most interesting historical stages of the ancient city, you can order a tour of the syardacuses, going through this.

If you are closer to the historical spirit of Orthigia, we advise you to stay in a small family hotelL 'Approdo Delle Sirene (Riva Giuseppe Garibaldi 15, from 65 euros per night). Lovers of designer hotels will probably like itGutkowski (Lungomare Di Levante Elio Vittorini 26, from 75 euros per night), weathered in Scandinavian style. Other hotels in Siracuza can be found.

But that

From Syracuse we will go to, which is just 37 kilometers away. The trip will take a little more than half an hour.

To enjoy noto is very simple - enough to take a walk along the main streetCorso Vittorio Emanuele. , periodically wrapping into small cats. A distinctive feature of noto is the unity and sequence of architectural style. The city acquired such a harmonious appearance after the earthquake of 1693, after which the noto was completely rebuilt again. Among the most significant architectural buildings noto: Cathedral, PalaceDucezio, Nicolaci Palace And the Church of San Carlo.

To fully immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere of the city, stop in a small guest houseMontandon (Via Antonio Sofia 50, from 80 euros per night), which is located in a luxurious palace at the top of the city. In search of privacy you can hide in the settlement of Noto Antika, setting up in a rural hotelBorgo Alveria (Contrada Noto Antica, Sp 64, from 100 euros per night), where there is a pool overlooking the mountains. Other Noto hotels you will find.

Ragusa

Next, we will go to one of the most picturesque cities of Sicily - Raguz. She is an hour's drive from Noto, about 53 kilometers. By the way, it was in Ragus that the popular Italian detective "Inspector Montalbano" was shot.

Return to Palermo

Our automobile journey through Sicily comes to an end. After exploring the attractions of Agrigento, we return back to Palermo. The return road, with a length of 133 kilometers, will take about two hours. Note that in the summer season, rent a lot of cars, so it is better to take care of rent a few weeks before the trip, and also come to the airport in advance in order to have time to quietly pass your car back.

Of course, this is not all interesting cities in Sicily. You can also visit and visit Shakku, Messina, Eric - these and other cities will not leave you indifferent.

Unforgettable Travel in Sicily!

Travel preparation
About Sicily, we have heard as many enthusiastic feedbacks who have visited friends there, which soon and themselves began to wander the trip.
When finally decided to go, then the route was helped by friendly tips and guide verte michelin "sicile" (perhaps it was transferred to Rus.). I am generally a long-time fan of Mishain Guides, they have never been summarized with the choice of routes and restaurants in numerous trips.
Routard spoke to the auxiliary guide. It was the first close acquaintance with this guide, and I was satisfied with him - choose a route with him of course less convenient and restaurants are not always the best, but in Rutarda you can find where to eat delicious ice cream (checked!) And it is written in a very live language (with By this, Michelian Guide is tugged) - Rudard reads easily and gives good introductory information about a new place.
So, the route was chosen as: Taormina (+ Etna Vulcan) - Palermo (+ Montreal) - Castellammar-del Golfo (+ Segest + Erice) - Agrigento (Valley of the Temples) - Ragusa-Noto - Syracuse.

A little about choosing a time to travel: All guides are advised to avoid July and August, I can add to this that in the second half of June it was hot. Therefore, it is probably better to go in May. We planned to relax in our favorite formula - in the morning and in the evening the beach (not yet insanely hot), the day - look at the beauty. But this formula works well if there are mountains or the sea (in Sicily, where there are no hot days in Sicily, Etna, Erice and enough tolerant in the nature reserve Zingar TK Sea nearby), and in flat terrain, especially in the cities - During the day it is hot everywhere. A bit more rescued narrow streets (if they are). So the hottest months is better to avoid not to spoil the trip.
And a little about the route: With us it turned out quite dense and saturated. We visited where they planned (and even more) and were satisfied, but sometimes there were and tiring (especially hard to someone who leads the car - in Sicily, this is quite nervous occupation). So if there are doubts - it is better not to try to have time everywhere, especially since you can painlessly reduce the route if you avoid "repeats". Well, for example, the ruins of Greek theaters are the same everywhere, the same applies to Greek temples. The biggest difference is the locality where they are inscribed. In the choice of places, the Greeks were not equal as in art to take huge columns, so the landscapes are also the work of art. If we take our route, then it seems to me if you wish, it would be possible to sacrifice the Valley of the temples of Agrigento in favor of segests (where the temple and theater (especially) are in the framework of a fabulously beautiful landscape). Ragusa is a pretty town, but if with time it is better to spend it on noto on noto .. (we also really reduced the Greek Theater in Syracuse, everything else looked as they gathered). In general, see your forces.
A little bit about driving: In Sicily, driving the machine - extreme sports (in any case it was so for me). On the road of cars, mopeds and pedestrians move as they want, road alarms (especially speed limitations) are completely ignored (as well as solid separation). There is very little information - the names of the streets are often not visible. Therefore, I am very advised to take the GPS navigator and before the next relocation to a new place - to score in it the coordinates of the parking (which is pre-localized on Google Maps). Do not score to the navigator just the "City Center" - it is often not what you need and not the place where you can be parked! If there is parking in the gid on the plan, it is better to localize it in Google Maps and to score proven coordinates to the navigator - it will help minimize driving in cities, where the movement is completely crazy (and there are often mistakes in guides).
And more about the car: when moving between hotels, there are often some intermediate stops, interesting places, and it is very difficult to keep the golden rule "not to leave anything in the car." Those. If you just do not leave anything in the car - it's great if not - then you need to try to at least follow the rule "not to leave anything in the car that it would be seen through the window." In the trunk of inexpensive rolling machines, as a rule, there are no two full suitcases, therefore it is better to take one suitcase and one soft bag that can be touched into the trunk together in a suitcase.

Choosing hotels and car rental:
All hotels I reserved via http://www.booking.com/. The site is excellent, I often use them and very satisfied. The principle of choice was the following - the most inexpensive of hotels with a good rating and reviews + convenient location (I always looked on the map where it is located). The result was good - some of the six hotels liked more, some somewhere - less (I will say a few words when I tell about the point of visit), but neither the hotel did not have any problems with any special disappointments.
The most inexpensive version for rolled car was found at http://www.ebookers.fr/ (http://www.ebookers.com/). I honestly looked at others, but there was no cheaper, and besides the office was famous - Hertz (who tried to disappointed the Hert Bardak on the day when we took the car - we killed two hours for this one probably, besides, in this madhouse they are me Saduhali option "buy gasoline with us - return an empty tank." I don't think that I lost money on it, but still this is a clear divorce in favor of a roller, do not be bought).
Below - our preliminary travel plan (time in the "Plan" column is the time of moving from one city to another), a list of hotels and their price to give an approximate view of the budget (there are no restaurants in the list (we have one expense for two 40-50 euros) and tickets in museums and TP)

(The flight was route Paris - Catania - Paris)

In the following issues, a few useful information and impressions from the places where we visited:
Taormina and surroundings
Palermo (+ Montreal)
Castellammar-del Golfo (+ Zingar Reserve + Segest + Erice)
Agrigento (+ Valley of Temples + "Turkish Rock")
Ragusa, noto
Syracuse

Enjoy your journey to this incredibly beautiful and very welcoming country!