Reviews of Palermo, Sicily
Reviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (6) Recommended
Selinunte and Marinella
Adults $129, Children $109
Walk in the footsteps of the ancients during a visit to the Acropolis in Selinunte and bask in the warm breezes on a sun-soaked beach at Marinella.
Rob and Keith: Betuiful, pretty sunny day.
Ruins were more spectacular than described in the literature. Rate them a 10!
The beach was disappointing because it was very windy and cold. No one got in the water.
Lunch was disappointment. Cold traditional buffet outside - olives, raw fish, and wine.
Pros:
Ruins, LunchCons:
BeachReviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (9) Recommended
Village of Cefalu
$69 Adults, $59 Children
Revel in the age-old antiquity of Palermo and escape to Cefalu where the stunning Cathedral and medieval lavatory await. Although the Cathedral is w/c accessable, the lavatory is not.
Mari and Raleigh:
Motorcoach ride wonderful. So good at pointing out the sites. In Cefalu we went to the Cathedral, walk up and down a variety of streets. Almost like watching the travel channel live.
Linen hanging off the balconies... so relaxing in the main Piazza - sweet treats of canoli and marzapan and almond cookies and juice and tea.
Meal with zucchini, eggplant, great taste. Antipasta also on the table.
Tour guide excellent.
Pros:
Motorcoach ride, Lunch and Sweet treatsCons:
—Reviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (6) Recommended
The Sites of Palermo
$49 Adults, $39 Children
Tour the historic hold city of Palermo on a scenic drive and walking tour which includes stops at Martontana Church and Palermo Cathedral.
Deb and Linda:
We began with a motor coach ride to Old Palermo. Our guide is full of facts.
We visit the famous "Four Corners" intersection in Palermo. This is the home to four statues representing the four seasons. Four statues depicting Spanish Kings and four female statues for the four patron saints of the town. Architecturally, Four Corners is a melting pot of Arabo-Norman magnificence, Palermitan baroque, and the work of craftsmen of the Middle Ages. Each sculpted angle of the Four Corners celebrates seasons, a patron saint, or a Spanish viceroy.
At City Hall Square we visited the Martorana Church (a 12th century Norman-Arab structure) and then the 12th century Cathedral at Palermo. Built in 1184 by the Norman king William II in the place of a Muslim mosque, the cathedral has undergone several renovations over the centuries, which have resulted in its current Neo-Classical style. The fourteenth-century door and the Gothic-Catalan style portico are worthy of note. The treasures that are kept inside, including some precious objects and embroidery found in the tombs of the Kings and emperors must be seen.
We had a delicious gelato break and then onto the motor coach and then off to Gustavo Whitiker's villa and Palermo's equivalent of the US Botanical Gardens. This family imported trees and plants from around the world. It was quite nice to wander around the grounds.
All too soon, time to get back on the bus and head back to the Disney Magic.
Pros:
Knowledgeable Guide, Gelato, Gardens, Historial informationCons:
Not taking a 2nd excursion in the afternoon to see other areas.Reviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (9) Recommended
Palermo on our own
Cheryl and Mark -- Wandered on our own, found a wonderful market and thought it was most like Sicilian life. We saw many of the same things others probably did on their tours... Cathedral, 4 corners with the Kings, back along the harbour. Walked about 2.5 miles.
Pros:
Free, close to ship.Cons:
—Reviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (8) Recommended
Village of Cefalu
$69 Adults, $59 Children
Revel in the age-old antiquity of Palermo and escape to Cefalu where the stunning Cathedral and medieval lavatory await. Although the Cathedral is w/c accessable, the lavatory is not.
Sharon:
Village of 10, scenery lovely. Guide talked too much and spent too much time in cathedral - really boring. More time in the village would have been nice.
Pros:
Village was lovelyCons:
too much time in Cathedral, not enough time in VillageReviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (5) Recommended
Mysterious Palermo
$59 Adults, $49 Children
Visit historical sites, including the Catacombs of the Cappuccini, the Zisa Castle, and the Spasimo Church. Warning: includes realistic remains of people.
Chris and Beci Mahnken:
Not much mysterious about it. Limited time at the stops. Tour guide knowledgeable but didn't deal well with a larger tour group.
Catacombs should be at the beginning of the tour. They rate a 6, rest of a tour a 5.
Read the Mahnken's blog entry on Palermo:
http://www.allearsnet.com/blogs/guestblog/2007/05/chris_mahnken_arriving_in_pale.html
Pros:
Palermo City Life, Fixed the busCons:
Tour cut short, non working busReviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (7) Recommended
Erice and Segesta
$145 Adult, $125 Child
Walk in the footsteps of history as you tour the ancient Temple and Theatre at Segesta before flying high in a cable car to the medieval village of Erice.
Gary Falcon:
Very rushed, in fact the tour guide mixed 2 busses of folks and I got separated from my wife. She never got up the hill to the old theatre.
Food very good.
Would have rated higher except we were very rushed, even at the bathroom stops.
Pros:
Scenery - incredible views, bus ride downCons:
Very VERY rushedReviewed by JackM Review Date: 06/10/2007
Rating: (6) Recommended
Palermo and Ballaro Market
$49 Adults, $39.00 Children
"Retreat to a place seemingly frozen in time during this tour of Palermo's renowned historical sites, including the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Palermo and 1000 year old Ballero Market
Sandy Fiedler: May 2007
Average tour, guide was a little too chatty especially outside the Cathedral. Market is outdoors but not near as nice as the outdoor markets in Paris.
