Siracusa tour

At each stop, the driver gave virtually no information on arrival other than the time for departure. We were left to find our own way and guess where to go and what was available. The worst thing was at the last stop, Noto. We were dropped by the roadside and told to go back to that spot for collection at a specified time. The town was very busy and hugely crowded because there was a procession underway. This prevented us getting beyond the market/car park. The procession was so long and slow-moving that we could not get into the town beyond the car park and market in the time available. We were prevented from seeing the architecture and buildings because we could not get through the dense crowds – we tried, but it was dangerously and oppressively crowded, particularly considering our age and stature. While it was an experience to see the procession this was not the purpose of the visit. We should have been told that we would not be able to get into the town and experience what is printed in the brochure. To go to Noto just to visit a small market is not what we paid for. And the disappointment did not stop there. We waited at a busy and bustling roadside for more than an hour over the time we were told to get to the departure point before the coach arrived – and had to get on the coach in the middle of the road in heavy traffic. The driver knew the traffic was busy and should have left from his parking place to the pick-up point early enough to be on time, not over one hour late. We had no apology whatsoever. Waiting in the heat for that time was dreadful customer service. I am 85 years old and the wait – in such heat, with the nearby café closed – was very distressing for me.

Really lovely and peaple helped show us which way to go loads to see ,can be a little expensive but worth it Do go and see as much of Catania as you can you will love it.

I visited Catania, Siracusa, Ortegia, Noto and Ragusa all in under 48 hours. Excellent flight times and trains allowed me to move around without wasting time and I loved it. I also ate on the go which saves loads of time. Google up images of these places - stunning baroque architecture, land and seaviews as well as new food (for me). I had time to enter some of the churches and witnessed a wedding at the Noto cathedral! Prepare for uphill walks in Ragusa but itwas stunning! Ortigia is fab and so is Catania. I used Siracusa as my base with 2 overnight stays and visited the archeological park, too. Next time I'll try the west coast of Sicily.