Don Madge Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 We are planning to visit Sicily for about five weeks in Mar/April 2012 on our way home from wintering in Turkey. I've done some research on the forums and have collected some very useful info. We plan to take the ferry from Palermo to Genoa and have to be back at the Hook of Holland on the night of the 25th April to get the ferry to Harwich and up to the Peterborough Show. Has anybody used the Palermo- Genoa ferry? Has anybody done a write up or a blog on Sicily? Any info will be most welcome. Safe travelling. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnerontheroad Posted August 28, 2011 Share Posted August 28, 2011 This any good Don http://www.langdale-associates.com/sicily_2007/sicily_2007.htm Good luck Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted August 28, 2011 Author Share Posted August 28, 2011 Thanks Dave I do have that one and an excellent bit of info it is. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobK Posted August 29, 2011 Share Posted August 29, 2011 Hello Don ... we did Sicily in May this year, travelling down thru' Holland, Germany, Switzerland, the east coast of italy and eventually over the ferry to Palermo. We then travelled anti-clockwise round the island. From you previous posts, I'm sure you have done loads of research so I won't bore you with our stories. Suffice to say that almost everyone we met, caravanners or motorhomers, had all travelled from upper Europe to Palermo on the Genoa ferry, cutting out the long (and tedious) journey through Italy. I cannot be accurate here but all their travel tales indicated that it was good value ... some were in cabins whilst others made do with the couchettes (reclining seats). It was an overnighter, and from memory, the prices they mentioned ranged from three to five hundred euros, and some of these were cars and caravans. What is your planned route from Turkey to Sicily.? I can elaborate on the sites we used in Sicily if your are interested. regards Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted August 30, 2011 Author Share Posted August 30, 2011 BobK - 2011-08-29 9:23 PM Hello Don ... we did Sicily in May this year, travelling down thru' Holland, Germany, Switzerland, the east coast of italy and eventually over the ferry to Palermo. We then travelled anti-clockwise round the island. From you previous posts, I'm sure you have done loads of research so I won't bore you with our stories. Suffice to say that almost everyone we met, caravanners or motorhomers, had all travelled from upper Europe to Palermo on the Genoa ferry, cutting out the long (and tedious) journey through Italy. I cannot be accurate here but all their travel tales indicated that it was good value ... some were in cabins whilst others made do with the couchettes (reclining seats). It was an overnighter, and from memory, the prices they mentioned ranged from three to five hundred euros, and some of these were cars and caravans. What is your planned route from Turkey to Sicily.? I can elaborate on the sites we used in Sicily if your are interested. regards Bob Thanks Bob, I would appreciate the details of the sites/wild camping spots you used. We are staying in Keciler a small village near Fethiye for 90 days. We plan to take the ferry from Cesme, Chios & Piraeus then drive to Patras and take the ferry to Brindisi. Saves a lot of driving in northern Greece. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobK Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Hi Don...hope your plans all go well. Camping overnight place at Petrosino, which is on the south coast (the sole) of Italy, about half way between Brindisi and the Scilian ferry. I think it was a municipal campsite with loads of hook-ups, water taps and WiFi connection with no password . Nothing else going for it but it was level, clean and tidy, and FREE. We got the short ferry ride from Reggio Calabria across to Messina in Sicily. We planned doing the island anti clockwise and the first choice was Camping Villagio Riva Smeralda near Messina, and seemed a convenient first stop. When we got there it was to discover that the site was very run down and didn’t seem to be open. We continued further along the coast towards Palermo and into Camping Villaggio Marinello near Orvetia - . Good sheltered site with lots of tree shade, and right on the beach front. About sixty miles along the coast towards Finale, Camping Rais Gerber - we used the main B route rather than the autostrada and saw a lot more of the small towns en route. Rais Gerber is a big but very well organised place, right on the sea but high up so it is terraced, with very good facilities. It is one of the sites recommended in an MMM article. . Camping La Playa, at Isola Del Femmine is a site west of Palermo. Reasonable site with shade. The staff organised bus tickets and directions for travelling into Palermo for site-seeing, which was the main benefit. Further west/south toGulf of Castellamarre and a site at San Vito de Capo which is right on the tip of N.W.Sicily, at La Pineta.. Great site and almost on the beach promenade, in the town. Interestingly, en route to this site, we passed a wild camping spot which is very popular (we didn’t know about it at the time) Camping Macari (n.38.13564e12.73638) page 821 of Camperstop Europe 2011. Stopped overnight in a very strange campsite, at Petrosino. There were only five of us camping in all, including an oldish cyclist in a very small tent. Site had been good at one time but appeared to be going out of business. Okay for an overnight. On to Scarabeo Campsite which is in the south east corner. (also featured in an MM review) Here they grow millions of tomatoes, cucumber, aubergines, courgettes etc. etc. Everywhere there is a sea of plastic covered houses with these different vegs., so not very scenic. . Good site with walkway directly on to the beach. Actually wanted to stay in a Faccore Amico site which was up in the hills nearish to Taormina but when we finally got there, it was closed. Absolutely beautiful spot away up in the hills and we were disappointed having to just come back down to the coast. Got into a camp site called Parking Labani at Giardini-Naxos, 5 km south of Taormina - it is like a municipal site with well laid out spaces for motorhomes only, electric hook up, each with individual patios with four chairs and table, umbrella and a sink. Only ten euros. There was also another site next door with similar prices. Got the bus into Taormina and enjoyed our day wandering around this lovely hilltop medieval town. Probably the highlight town of the whole visit. regards Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 Thanks for that Bob, what time of the year was your visit? Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobK Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 That was in May, this year. Out of season and the prices still reasonable. The Faccore Amico (not sure of the spelling and canot find the book at the moment) but it is the equivalent of France Passion, where you can stay for free overnight in Vineyards, Olive oil Groves, farms, restaurant car parks etc.. Worked okay in Italy, but didn't get the hang of it in Sicily, mainly because the directions were per local maps and the sat nav couldn'y cope on some occasions. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petra Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Hi Don We visited Sicily in 2009 during April/May and these are the places / sites we stayed at. We did not think much to the north of the Island apart from Cefalu which was stunning. The south is completely different and it is agricultural but a much slower pace of life. The interior is very much like Yorkshire we were really surprised and we never found any Mafia in Corleone! Our highlight of the trip was going to Etna, 40 minutes on the cable car and 40 minutes on the tundra bus to the top through the snow and then a half hour guided walk around the rim. Expensive but well worth it. Motorhome parking at Refugio Sapienza overnight and then go up early morning before the tour buses arrive. Camping Villaggio Marinello, Oliveri (39 0941 313000) A large pleasant site set amongst Eucalyptus trees giving plenty of shade. The site is located right by the sea with gravel beach and windsurf school. There is a shop, bar and restaurant although there are several bars and pizzerias within easy walking distance. Camping Marinello is dog friendly with plenty of walks along the beach. €15 (ACSI discount) 2 people, electric and dog. Segesta Wild camped outside the gates. A quiet night under the stars overlooked by the temple and we beat the tour buses in next morning. Even dogs are allowed to visit the sites. Camping Athena (39 0924 46132) An ideal site from which to visit Selinute. A small campsite which was clean and tidy with an excellent restaurant. €18 2 people, electric, showers extra, dog friendly. Camping Internazionale Nettuno ( 39 0922 416268) A somewhat scruffy site in need of refurbishment. However it has an excellent position alongside the long beach at San Leone, and large shady pitches under pine trees. Dog friendly – one of my labrador’s favourite sites. €22.50 2 people and electricity. Scarabeo (39 0932 918096) Superb site opening directly onto sandy beach. Clean and modern facilities,( personal toilet and washing basin) Friendly staff and very dog friendly . Daily visits by baker and ice cream van. €15 (ACSI discount) 2 people and electricity. Lido do Noto Huge grass Sosta, directly opposite large sandy beach with several restaurants close by. Owned by Hotel Jonio next door whose owner calls to collect money €10 2 people and electricity. Dog friendly. Refuge Sapienza Wild camp in large car park at bottom of cable car with special parking bays for motorhomes. Plenty of walks (climbs) to the small craters around the area. Car park tickets are €5 per day available from Tabachi, restaurants and shops of which there are several. Maremonte – Francavilla de Sicillia A free Sosta ( including electricity and water) on the banks of the river within easy walking distance of Francavilla and its shops and restaurants. A superb location overlooked by Mount Etna. Parking Lagani – Giardini Naxos (39 0942 54058) Much better than the name suggests. Parking Lagani has large pitches with a paved patio and outdoor furniture, sink, water and electricity. It has an excellent location opposite an archaeological site, close to the beach and 10 minute walk to the resort of Naxos. Close by there is a supermarket and several restaurants and bars. There is also a bar on site with views of Etna. Dog friendly and an ideal place from which to visit Taormina by bus. €15 2 people and electricity. (All prices quoted were May 2009) I wrote the MMM reviews on Scarabeo and Parking Lagani so glad people found them useful. Hope this is useful, enjoy your trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Madge Posted September 2, 2011 Author Share Posted September 2, 2011 Thanks again Bob. Petra, Thanks for the very useful info. Will take me some time to sort through it but will have plenty of time in Turkey when I'm sitting out in the sun, hopefully. Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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