A Week's Holiday in Sicily. Advice?

We went in 2012 and stayed in Cefalu on the northern coast. Flew into Catania and it was a long drag up to. Hotel was right on the sea, Cefalu Sea Palace and was very nice. The town is great - old cobbled streets and lots of good restaurants and bars. Lots of Italians seemed to be holidaying there which is always a good sign for me. It was an hour from Palermo on the train. Palermo is well worth a visit. Etna, it goes without saying, needs to be done; it is incredible. We visited Taormina and some other places; nice to visit but not sure I'd fancy staying there. Felt a bit like Yarm with sunshine and an amphitheatre.
 
Fly into Catania and stay in Giardini Naxos resort. Great place for food and restaurants all along a delightful promenade and beach. Brilliant and Taormina literally 5 min taxi ride away (maybe 3 mins) to visit on an evening as a contrast to G. Naxos….Taormina is beautiful and wonderful on an evening…..restaurants and funky bars aplenty
 
I’ve stayed in Taormina most of the time due in part to its location and easy access to the volcano. However, in saying that I’ve driven around the island and could name several towns I could be happy staying at anyone of numerous places — it’s such a fun historical place.
 
Expat Smoggie said:
I’ve stayed in Taormina most of the time due in part to its location and easy access to the volcano. However, in saying that I’ve driven around the island and could name several towns I could be happy staying at anyone of numerous places — it’s such a fun historical place.
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We want to go there after the fantastic visuals from last year’s Giro which had a couple of stages on the island. Some of the towns looked amazing.

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Cardiffdaffs said:
Thanks. Cefalu seems a bit far from Catania - Palermo looks nearer?. Giardini Naxos looks interesting.
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Yep, Palermo much closer to Cefalu. About 60 mins by bus.

We stayed in Castelbuono up in the mountains. Really nice town. Loved Palermo too, a beautiful city with some of the best value food and drink.
 
Had a week in Palermo. One of the most fascinating, chaotic, unpredictable and unforgettable holiday experiences. Nothing was as it should be: restaurants where we were told what to eat; genuine mafiosi sitting next to us; stunning Norman architecture; amazing cathedrals and beautiful beaches close by (Cefalu). If you speak a little Italian it does help, especially away from the tourist areas. Just avoid anywhere close to where the cruise ships dock, as the eating establishments are Ver-priced and poor quality.
 
We had part of our honeymoon in Taormina - stayed at a wonderful hotel called Villa Carlota. Absolutely fantastic spot for a few days
 
Had 10 days in Taormina in 2016. Stayed at the hotel Jim Kerr of Simple Minds owns, The Villa Angela and it was superb. Aforementioned rock star was having his villa built adjacent to the hotel at the time and his young cousin was waiting at tables. The hotel is beautiful, the staff were wonderful and it has stunning views of the bay and out to Mount Etna. Had an amazing holiday. Just be aware Sicily is a huge island. My wife wanted to go to Agrigento so we hired a car, took 3 hours to get there although you have to take into consideration unfamiliar roads and it being a bit of an education driving in Italy. Got back in one piece.....just!
 
SocraTees said:
Had 10 days in Taormina in 2016. Stayed at the hotel Jim Kerr of Simple Minds owns, The Villa Angela and it was superb. Aforementioned rock star was having his villa built adjacent to the hotel at the time and his young cousin was waiting at tables. The hotel is beautiful, the staff were wonderful and it has stunning views of the bay and out to Mount Etna. Had an amazing holiday. Just be aware Sicily is a huge island. My wife wanted to go to Agrigento so we hired a car, took 3 hours to get there although you have to take into consideration unfamiliar roads and it being a bit of an education driving in Italy. Got back in one piece.....just!
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Lovey part of the world
 
I stayed in Balestrate a few years ago which is quite close to Palermo. Lovely quite small town with a nice beach. Nobody speaks English though so you have to very quickly learn some Italian to get by.
 
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