Page 233 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  231

travellers with special needs parks near Catania, Bioparco di DIRECTORY
are improving throughout Sicilia or Parco Avventura
the island. Ramps, lifts and Madonie, near Palermo. Travel Safety Advice
modified WCs are available in Most restaurants welcome Australia
an increasing number of children (see p207), and many ∑ dfat.gov.au
places. Some restaurants have offer Sicily’s tastiest summer ∑ smartraveller.gov.au
wheelchair access to the dining speciality, ice-cream.
area, but not to the WC. For a family holiday with a UK
∑ gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
For those travelling without difference, consider staying in
an escort to Sicily, it is best to a rural area of Sicily on a work ing US
consider a specially designed farm (agriturismi), where children ∑ travel.state.gov
package tour, or contact an can watch products being
organization for disabled made (see p200). Tourist Information
travellers before you set off. Assessorato al Turismo
Visitors travelling by train can della Regione Sicilia
request RFI (Italian Railway Travelling on a Budget Via Notarbartolo 9, Palermo.
Network) assistance at the Sala Accommodation can be the Tel 091-7078 100/230/276.
Blu at Messina train station, by biggest expense when visiting ∑ regione.sicilia.it/turismo
calling their National Telephone Sicily, but if planned carefully
Number or by contacting there are ways to save money. STR Agrigento
Tel 0922-203 91.
Trenitalia’s call centre. Renting a self-catering holiday-
house can be a good choice for STR Palermo
either long or short stays and Tel 091-6398 011.
buying fresh local produce at ∑ palermotourism.com
the supermarkets can help STR Syracuse
reduce food costs. Other good Tel 0931-464 255.
budget options include B&Bs, ∑ siracusaturismo.net
which are found both in the
towns and on the coast, or STR Taormina
staying at a traditional farm- Tel 0942-232 43 or 232.
house (agriturismi) in the STR Trapani
countryside (see p200). Hostels Tel 0923-565 412/872 652/543 427.
are rare, but campsites abound Town Hall Info Point
along the coastal regions and Tel 091-611 7887.
are considered the most basic
and cheapest form of Disabled Travellers
A street artist sketches a child’s portrait in accommo dation (see p199).
Piazza IX Aprile, Taormina Eating at a trattoria or RFI
agriturismi is a cheaper Tel 199-30 30 60 (National
alternative to the smarter or Telephone Number). ∑ rfi.it
Travelling with Children more touristy restaurants, and is Trenitalia
Sicily is great for travelling also a great way to savour local Tel 892 021; 199-89 20 21
with children and Sicilians are and traditional specialities. (Trenitalia’s call centre).
very welcoming to families. ∑ trenitalia.com
Numerous castles can be
found all across the island and Responsible Tourism Travelling with
exploring them is a fun-filled Environmental awareness has Children
activity for curious youngsters been slowly gathering strength Bioparco di Sicilia
and history enthusiasts. An in Sicily and several initiatives Via A.Vespucci 420 - 90044, Carini,
excursion to spectacular Mount have been put in place across Palermo province.
Etna (see pp174–7) is also a the main towns. Recycling is ∑ bioparcodisicilia.it
delightful and easily accessible gradually being introduced in Etnaland
family adventure. some places. Supermarkets no C.da Agnelleria, 95032 Belpasso,
Children will enjoy spending longer use non-biodegradable Catania province. ∑ etnaland.eu
time at the many public plastic bags. Sicilians are also
beaches, which are located all starting to understand the Parco Avventura Etna
around the Sicilian coastline. importance of reducing carbon Via Acque del Vescovo, 41, 95010
The temperature of the sea is emissions and, as a result, Milo, Catania province.
warm from June to October, organic shops, restaurants and ∑ parcoavventuraetna.it
so swimming is pleasant. street markets are springing up Parco Avventura Madonie
Theme parks are becoming across the island. Località Gorgonero, 90027
increasingly popular in Sicily. Take Staying at family-run guest- Petralia Sottana.
the kids and head for Etnaland houses or on an agriturismi ∑ parcoavventuramadonie.it
or Parco Avventura Etna, theme helps support local economies.

230-231_EW_Sicily.indd 231 11/3/16 2:10 PM