Centrale Palace Hotel, Palermo

Advantages: Great view of the sea, great swimming pool
Disadvantages: Coach loads, not for younger segment

...Please don't let the title put you off! The hotel is actually very nice next to a stream on the beach front in a little town outside of agrigento. We flew in to Palermo Airport and drove down to the hotel on the other side of Sicily. Words of warning here. The map shows a motorway going next to Palermo (like a bypass). Don't take it unless you want to have a hear attack. The Sicilians drive cars like nutters and all of them had dents! and in Palermo you have free for all with mopeds and pedestrians on this alleged motorway... After getting through Palermo the road is more sedate through the hills and mountains of Sicily, you will travel through Mafia country but they always leave tourists alone (bad for their reputation...) Agrigento is another nightmare traffic wise with no lane markings, directions, traffic lights are "advisory... Read review

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Advantages: historicaly interesting, prety town, great views
Disadvantages: long train journet from Palermo

...from the main drag of shops and restaurants. Typically for Italy there is a vast range of prices. This can also be quite a touristy town so it worth picking your restaurant carefully as quality sometimes suffers as a result of the high demand. If you like shopping there is a good range of shops from clothes and leather shoes to a myriad of shops selling local ceramics with very distinctive patterns. Again there is a vast range of prices so it is worth shopping around as you could find the same items in several different shops. If you only have a short time in Sicily I would recommend visiting Taormina from Catania rather than Palermo, but if you have a little longer then it is well worth stopping in Taormina for a few days to take in the atmosphere. There are plenty of hotels centrally located to choose from. We found a charming B&B run... Read review

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Advantages: Cultural diversity, historical interest, weather, food
Disadvantages: Can be difficult to navigate!

...It has been said that Sicily is Italy in concentrated form but that detracts from the many unique natures of the island which has enough of her own charms to win out over any of her mediterranean competitors. Palermo as the capital of Sicily has come down a peg or two over the course of history, being, at one time the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies before the Bourbons transferred themselves to Naples. But the vestiges of a regal past are very much evident in the old Sicilian capital. The most notable site being the Norman Palace at the gate of the Porta Nuova. It is possible to enter the palace to see the Royal Chapel but the opening hours are a little erratic (especially at the weekend) so it is always best to check when to go in advance. Whilst at Piazza Indipendenza (outside the palace), you should get the bus up... Read review

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