If so, would be very interested to hear your thoughts about a week in Taormina?
Stunningly beautiful place. We only had a night there at end of a fortnight touring Sicily but wished it had been longer. Very hilly, very stylish. Think Amalfi Coast.
Much to see in rest of Sicily too so worth hiring a car and getting out and about for a few days if you can - Mount Etna, Roman villa with superb mosaics, Greek temples, baroque churches. If you watch Montalbano, it is filmed around Syracuse and Ragusa, I believe. It's a big island and can be a bit built up/ industrial in places (Agrigento springs to mind) but loads to see and explore.
If so, would be very interested to hear your thoughts about a week in Taormina?
I'm off in a couple of weeks (although over by Palermo) and my asking around has returned Celafu beach and the volcano... not Etna, the other one... as the best two things to visit.
Be interested to know how you get on and what you think is worth visiting.
If so, would be very interested to hear your thoughts about a week in Taormina?
Toarmina is lovely and plenty of bars/restaurants , great views of Mount Etna and the coastline. worth a little walk down to the beach at Isola Bella ( get the cable car back ) , not sure about staying there for a week although unless you have a motor .
If so, would be very interested to hear your thoughts about a week in Taormina?
I'm off in a couple of weeks (although over by Palermo) and my asking around has returned Celafu beach and the volcano... not Etna, the other one... as the best two things to visit.
Be interested to know how you get on and what you think is worth visiting.
Just got back yesterday, Cefalu was definitely the highlight, great for a beach day and a bit of a look around - didn't find it too busy either. Well worth the hour and a half drive from Palermo. We also went to another beach town in the other direction from Palermo (San Vito Lo Capo) which was just "okay" although the sand/water was probably the best and the drive was spectacular in places. In fact, all of the driving out there had some pretty "wow" moments.
We stayed in Mondello, which was a really good base near the city - felt right out on its own separated by mountains but actually it's not far out of Palermo. There was this hill there with abandoned houses built by the mafia which the local council blocked halfway through because it was in a nature reserve (can't imagine it went down well) that was a good visit around there - had an art exhibition on. Beach is very nice in Mondello but they got a bit greedy as it's mostly 'members only' parasols and felt waaay too busy for us in the cheap seats.
Palermo itself we only made it into on the last day, but like everywhere else the food was great and it was pretty manic in a fun way. Very pretty and far quieter in the 'old' part of town so kind of the best of both worlds.
All of Sicily that we saw seemed pretty unspoilt (by tourism) compared to any other Mediterranean place I've been to, and the rocky scenery was superb.
Not sure if you were that interested, but a glowing review from me! The cost of food and things out there was also noticeably cheap I found.
Booked a villa for the family near Budens on The Algarve. We’ll be out there when the World Cup Final is played. Can anyone recommend a bar to watch it? It will be fun if England or Portugal are in the final. Be good to share the occasion with other Brits.
just back from 10 days in riviera maya - stayed at secrets silversands - with the other poster on here about virgin scoring there hotels - as it was okay but nothing too special, unfortunately we had 4 solid days of rain, so the hotel showed its tiredness only small things, tarpaulin over the beach bar roof to patch repair it but had been there a while, swimming pool tiles loose, little things like the mini bar not being replenished and having to call them, the beach basically unusable because of the high volume of seaweed which they don't clear. also missold on restaurants as advertised at 7 but 3 were closed each day.
the americans phenomenon with "bubba" cups i find odd
virgin atlantic - cancelled our flight heading out at 7am saturday morning we were due to fly at 12.20 ( well delayed it for 27 hrs ) after a phonecall managed to transfer us onto a ba flight - which 2 hours in run our of beer, spirits, soft drinks apart from lemonade and after 5 hours had v little water left, the reponse from ba staff was we had more passengers than expected ( surely planes are meant to fly at capacity and also checking in would tell them how many passengers there were )
coming home delayed for 6 hours because of weather also took us 2 hours to get to the airport because the mexican cab drivers blocked the freeway in a protest against uber.
was me and the mrs 1st all inclusive break and whilst was good, due to the cost of the holiday excursions seemed really pricey, even a taxi into playa del carmen was 43usd each way, did dive whilst we were out there in cozumel which was a good dive.
certainly worthwhile complaining to virgin holidays and virgin atlantic - virgin Atlantic is easy as they have a delay repay form similar to south eastern which is controlled by EU law.
we received £1001.32 in cash refund from both virgin holidays and virgin Atlantic airline and 8000 air miles each, the cost of the holiday was £3562.00 so not too bad.
If so, would be very interested to hear your thoughts about a week in Taormina?
I'm off in a couple of weeks (although over by Palermo) and my asking around has returned Celafu beach and the volcano... not Etna, the other one... as the best two things to visit.
Be interested to know how you get on and what you think is worth visiting.
Just got back yesterday, Cefalu was definitely the highlight, great for a beach day and a bit of a look around - didn't find it too busy either. Well worth the hour and a half drive from Palermo. We also went to another beach town in the other direction from Palermo (San Vito Lo Capo) which was just "okay" although the sand/water was probably the best and the drive was spectacular in places. In fact, all of the driving out there had some pretty "wow" moments.
We stayed in Mondello, which was a really good base near the city - felt right out on its own separated by mountains but actually it's not far out of Palermo. There was this hill there with abandoned houses built by the mafia which the local council blocked halfway through because it was in a nature reserve (can't imagine it went down well) that was a good visit around there - had an art exhibition on. Beach is very nice in Mondello but they got a bit greedy as it's mostly 'members only' parasols and felt waaay too busy for us in the cheap seats.
Palermo itself we only made it into on the last day, but like everywhere else the food was great and it was pretty manic in a fun way. Very pretty and far quieter in the 'old' part of town so kind of the best of both worlds.
All of Sicily that we saw seemed pretty unspoilt (by tourism) compared to any other Mediterranean place I've been to, and the rocky scenery was superb.
Not sure if you were that interested, but a glowing review from me! The cost of food and things out there was also noticeably cheap I found.
Many thanks for posting. Certainly was interested in what you say. And sorry not to have acknowledged before but only just seen it to be honest.
We're staying in Taormina, so probably a bit far away from where you stayed to get there comfortably but I'd like to get over to Palermo if possible.
By the way, did you hire a car? If so, scary or no worse than driving in London (where I'm beginning to wonder if many people have actually passed a test).
Not able to go away this year because of the little one being too young
Potentially looking to go stay in a Static Caravan next June though, somewhere in Cornwall after our Holiday was ruined by car trouble in 2017
Are there any Holiday Parks that people can recommend for this? - Both Haven and Parkdean down there dont seem bad for the week in terms of cost
Went Cornwall last year and absolutely loved it, can’t remember the name of the place we stayed but didn’t think it was great for the money. Pre school holidays then, if you don’t mind holiday parks I would certainly recommend Eurocamp parks in Europe, look out for Al Fresco offers through Groupon which are extremely good value IMO and AFKA says, make the most of it whilst you are outside school holidays.
Just returned from 10 days in Galicia in N Spain. Really enjoyable though having a bit more Spanish language than we did would be even more helpful - hardly came across any British tourists - almost exclusively local people and Spanish visitors (apart from Americans in Santiago). Quite built up but superb beaches, good food / great seafood and wine, very reasonable prices and generally very friendly. Weather good but it can be quite changeable as it catches the fronts off the Atlantic.
If anyone is considering it, happy to provide more specific info.
Anyone been to Kalamaki on Zante? Booked a week there for the missus and myself in August, a bit spur of the moment without really doing any deep research so would appreciate any thoughts on the place. Maybe should have asked before booking but hey ho.
Anyone been to Kalamaki on Zante? Booked a week there for the missus and myself in August, a bit spur of the moment without really doing any deep research so would appreciate any thoughts on the place. Maybe should have asked before booking but hey ho.
Family have been going to kalimaki for around 20 years now. I’ve stayed at rainbow, athina apartments and Sophia’s. All pretty basic accommodation but does the job. Restaurants I always return to are heavens kitchen, Georgia’s (on the old main kalamaki road) and the olive tree. PM me if you’ve anything specific to ask.
Cheers @paulbaconsarnie will do. I like the look of the Olive Tree but also a place called the Cave Bar sounds interesting. Supposed to have some quality views but a bit hard to find.
Comments
We stayed in Mondello, which was a really good base near the city - felt right out on its own separated by mountains but actually it's not far out of Palermo. There was this hill there with abandoned houses built by the mafia which the local council blocked halfway through because it was in a nature reserve (can't imagine it went down well) that was a good visit around there - had an art exhibition on. Beach is very nice in Mondello but they got a bit greedy as it's mostly 'members only' parasols and felt waaay too busy for us in the cheap seats.
Palermo itself we only made it into on the last day, but like everywhere else the food was great and it was pretty manic in a fun way. Very pretty and far quieter in the 'old' part of town so kind of the best of both worlds.
All of Sicily that we saw seemed pretty unspoilt (by tourism) compared to any other Mediterranean place I've been to, and the rocky scenery was superb.
Not sure if you were that interested, but a glowing review from me! The cost of food and things out there was also noticeably cheap I found.
we received £1001.32 in cash refund from both virgin holidays and virgin Atlantic airline and 8000 air miles each, the cost of the holiday was £3562.00 so not too bad.
Sorry SX - I have no idea.
We're staying in Taormina, so probably a bit far away from where you stayed to get there comfortably but I'd like to get over to Palermo if possible.
By the way, did you hire a car? If so, scary or no worse than driving in London (where I'm beginning to wonder if many people have actually passed a test).
Potentially looking to go stay in a Static Caravan next June though, somewhere in Cornwall after our Holiday was ruined by car trouble in 2017
Are there any Holiday Parks that people can recommend for this? - Both Haven and Parkdean down there dont seem bad for the week in terms of cost
Enjoy the years of not having to go in the school holidays!!
Not been before but got good reviews.
We have gone to Alvor before but finding somewhere online really difficult that suits the dates we have in mind and the prices of things.
@Algarveaddick is there anything you know of that could help us out or place to stay that are reasonably priced?
If anyone is considering it, happy to provide more specific info.
I’ve stayed at rainbow, athina apartments and Sophia’s. All pretty basic accommodation but does the job.
Restaurants I always return to are heavens kitchen, Georgia’s (on the old main kalamaki road) and the olive tree.
PM me if you’ve anything specific to ask.