Pp again - we didn't get to Cefalu or Trapani but heard those were nice too.

Not a dump. I'm the one you cited from the other thread. We decided to visit Sicily because the weather was good for our spring break and we had friends who went and recommended it. I didn't know much about it but found good fares in and out of Catania so we went for it. I didn't much care for Catania so no need to stay there - you could just head straight to Taormina, which is very charming and also a good jumping off point for Mt. Etna.

Sicily is definitely rough around the edges and not as clean or as organized as other parts of Italy or Europe but we didn't see anything in sicily as dirty and chaotic as Naples and we never felt unsafe.

We found food and lodging to be more affordable than the rest of Italy and the people to be very warm and friendly.

We loved two of our hotels - Foresteria Baglio Della Luna in Agrigento and Charme Hotel Henry's House in Syracuse. Both are distinctive and amazing, with remarkable views and atmosphere.

The interior of Sicily is beautiful and was very green and lush in spring.

All that said, you will get around easier and faster with a rental car but you must be a confident driver, have GPS, and get the rental insurance. Trust me on this!!

Was there this summer and had a great time. Didn't see a single refugee (they are not housed in towns you'd visit as a tourist, unless maybe your fanily left there a 100 years ago?) or experience any crime. Closest we got to the mafia was a guy in a parking lot in one city who wanted a euro to "watch" our car.

We've been to Sicily and loved it. As PPs said it has fantastic food, beautiful scenery (including beautiful islands and beaches and active volcanoes), incredible history including Greek/Roman ruins and medieval towns, and on and on.

We skipped the major cities- Catania and Palermo-- some people say Palermo is run down but the places we visited were all great (and Taormina is basically a jet setters paradise-- so you can't judge Sicily by either Taomina or Palermo).

It's my most favorite place on Earth. Stunning beaches, scenery, and food and wine to die for. The major cities have a problem with crime but none of the touristy areas. It's also incredibly affordable. Go OP! You won't regret it.

Anonymous wrote:Its a dump.

Geez. Better Greek ruins than Greece, some of the most beautiful of Roman mosaics, churches with incredible Arab craftsmanship, heavy on the gold, paid for with Norman money, etc etc etc

Anonymous wrote:Its a dump.

How so?

My parents are there now on a tour and having a wonderful time!

Anonymous wrote:Its a dump.

Take it easy.

Its a dump.

This is one of my bucket list trips. I have family members that have been, and they didn't think it was that "rough" or crime-ridden. (And, fwiw, I am a part Sicilian family, and no one was willing to go back in the '70s, '80s and maybe '90s because of the perceived continued strength of the mafia -- I don't think the mafia is really a big factor there nowadays.)

I've been wondering how affected they are by the refugee crisis. I heard a report on NPR about a Sicilian town hosting refugee children and realized, with a little surprise, that it was the town that my own grandmother left a hundred years ago as a child.

Sicily is rough, rough as they get. Crime centrale.

I just saw someone post about Sicily on another thread and it sparked my interest. I'd love more details and lodging recs if anyone cares to share.

From the other thread:

Sicily - Catania, Taormina, Mt. Etna, Agrigento, Siracusa
Kids were 10 and 6 in this trip and we also went for spring break. Weather was good and it was not at all crowded. Sicily is a bit rough around the edges but we enjoyed it. Taormina is very lovely and must see the amphitheater. We also had a private guide take us around Mt. Etna. Still covered with snow in April FYI - people were skiing so we couldn't do hiking. The temples in Agrigento are very impressive but not much else to do in that area (although we loved the Scala dei Turchi -- google it). Siracusa is also a lovely town - kids enjoyed this trip.