Sicily Hotel Self-Drive Tour

A map of Sicily showing the main towns / locations of our suggested accommodation.

As well as our farm house tour which gets to grip with the real life style of the island we recognise that some people would prefer a more up market hotel quality tour. Based on arrival into either of the island’s two main airports Palermo(Ryan Air) or Catania (BA or Air Malta) with any day arrival the tour is based on a 14 night stay but can be for any duration.

Prices are EXCLUDING flights but include car rental with no excess for any damage. We have based the tour on room and buffet breakfast (Half board is an option if preferred) we offer a four star or three star hotel options.

This can be tailor made to shorter or longer durations that may be better suited to lower air seat prices depending on the flight arrival/departure days as flight prices can vary by as much as £100 per seat, so flexibility is the key - EXCEPT for the height of the high season from 29 July to 25 August during this time many hotels are simply not interested in short stays in popular resorts.

We may still be able to offer the holiday during this short peak season but resorts/hotels may have to be changed and no booking under these circumstances becomes firm until agreement is reached with the client.

Day 1 to 4 - Cefalù

Cefalù is the first resort on the list – as well as being one of the most charming resorts on the island with its Norman Cathedral constructed by the half brother of William the Conqueror. Then there is the myriad of tiny cobbled streets that surround the cathedral and all backed by a massive Gibralter type mountain that towers above the town. Great deal of high quality restaurants - bars and out door cafes makes it an ideal choice for the first three nights of the tour.

FOUR STAR CHOICE: The Hotel Gli Alberi - it is about 1km from the centre but with your rental car it is reached in a few minutes - or it takes a 15 minutes walk.

Facilities: Fully air conditioned / swimming pool / two restaurants / 2 bars / shuttle service to beach.

THREE STAR CHOICE: We have two hotels which are:

Hotel Le Calette - located just outside the town and a rail track runs above the hotel - but so it does past most hotels in the town - but the rail service does not intrude as it runs mostly during day time hours. Half Board 30/07 - 26/08 only.

Facilities: Fully air conditioned (rather small bedrooms) swimming pool / sea views / restaurant / piano bar / beach facilities.

Hotel Baia del Capitano - delightful hotel on the sea front offering superb views but 5km drive from the resort.

Facilities: Swimming pool / panoramic views / bar restaurant and swimming pool (only Half Board from 17 June - 22 September)

Day 4 to 8 - Taormina

Most people contemplating a holiday in Sicily are aware of Taormina and its fame as a hill top town perched high above the ocean and has almost eye level views of Mount Etna. However it is popular - some may say to popular as it has advanced on the scene as the “must do” part of the island.

FOUR STAR CHOICE: We have picked a rather unique property which is the Hotel Villa Sonia which is 5km from Taormina and even higher above the town in the tiny village of Castelmola. If you have the energy it is possible to take the paths that lead down to the resort and there is a shuttle service too.

Facilities: include swimming pool / snack bar / restaurant / fully air conditioned rooms. A peaceful location with wonderful views.

THREE STAR CHOICE: Hotel Vello d’Oro – located in the old historic town centre most of the rooms have a terrace or balcony with wonderful sea views. The original building was once a pottery craft school and became a hotel back in the late 1950’s. walking distance to restaurants shops and open air cafes. Lift to all floors. Parking arranged. Quiet location / restaurant & bar / fabulous terrace views / air-conditioned rooms.

Hotel Isabella - lovely hotel located in the centre along the traffic free Corsa Umberto (supplement staying here of £22pppn)

Crystal Sea Hotel - a four star hotel but located along the coast about 5 miles from Taormina but in a delightful setting overlooking the sea and with a swimming pool with a mini bus service to town. Very good value.

Day 8 to 10 - Syracuse

Syracuse - a delightful old town and some major historic sights that include the Greek amptheatre and the Roman coliseum almost side by side although constructed in different centuries as well at the old town with its Cathedral constructed partly by the Moors, Romans and Christian followers all in and around the original old town of Ortigia.

FOUR STAR CHOICE: The Hotel Panorama is and ideal location overlooking the bay in the centre of Ortiga This well renovated hotel is grand in every way offering old world charm located down by the port. Expensive but worth splashing out for the two nights stay, with many restaurants, shops and bars all within a few hundred yards walk.

THREE STAR CHOICE: The Hotel Jolly Aretusa - a modern block hotel but it is central and within 1km walk of the old town - built in the 1960’s, it has the benefit of large bedrooms which are air conditioned with average sized en suite bathrooms. For position and facilities –a good choice. Air-conditioned rooms / parking / restaurant / bar and pool.

Hotel del Santuario this is located near to the impressive and ultra modern style Church which from a distance looks like a huge Marquee. Has free parking central location and walking distance to museums and start of historic sights. Air-conditioned rooms / ensuite bathrooms / restaurant / parking and bar.

Day 10 to 13 - Agrigento

Agrigento there is little special to say about this town but it is the start to the valley of the Temples which is a unique collection of Greek temples which date back to the 5th century BC. Going towards the coastline 5km away, beaches run east and west of the area.

FOUR STAR CHOICE: The Hotel Colleverde Park, located in the valley of the Temples and in a large park like setting of lemon and almond trees the gardens cover some 10,000 sq metres-the only drawback is that this hotel has no swimming pool.However, the views of the gardens and Temples make up for this. Air-conditioned rooms / superb terraces / bar / terraces.

THREE STAR ALTERNATIVES: Three star choice is Hotel Akrabello - this is located in the Temples area near to the village of Mosa - 2km from the Temples and some 3km from the sea and beaches. Imaginative architecture / gardens / swimming pool / restaurant / air conditioned rooms.

Day 13 to 15 - Erice

Last stop is the hill top town of Erice - a grey lime stone town with battlements and terraces with superb views of the sea and Trapani - little squares and rather expensive restaurants and shops.

No alternative in Erice except the three star Hotel Moderno which despite the name, is far from modern, being built in the late 19th century - but in fact a great deal of renovation has brought this hotel up to date.

The 40 bedrooms all have air conditioning, en suite bathrooms and some have tiny balconies.There is also a lift to all floors and there is a fine guest lounge, a tiny bar and a good quality restaurant.

We can suggest a four star alternative: the Hotel Della Palme which is some 45km from Erice but has been totally renovated, dating back to the 19th century. For details click on Hotel Della Palme

ALTERNATIVE: Terrasini – the Hotel Cala Rossa - neat little hotel directly on the sea front which has the advantage of being about 8km from Palermo airport so ideal if your flights are early in the morning. The hotel is not expensive but insists on offering Half Board rather than B&B.

Day 15 your return from Palermo airport which is some 20km WEST of Palermo,

The tour can be reversed so that the tour ends in Catania.