We arrived at Lido Valdesi to our four pre-booked, pre-paid beds and found two of them already…read morecovered with someone else's belongings. Since we had the reservation, we moved the items aside and set up on our beds. The woman whose things they were then showed up and insisted the beds were hers, despite not having a wristband confirming payment. Things escalated quickly, we ended up face to face in a heated argument, and while I went to find staff, she physically lay down on top of my friend, who was already on the bed, and refused to get up. Staff and security got involved but told us they "couldn't touch her because she's a female," leaving us to resolve it ourselves. My friends spent a good chunk of the morning on edge, worried the women would come back. Despite paying in advance and dealing with a situation staff should have handled, we received nothing beyond a verbal apology , no refund, no gesture of goodwill. That said, we didn't let it ruin our day, Mondello itself is gorgeous, and once things settled we had an amazing time. But if you're paying for a reserved spot, know that staff may not step in to actually enforce it.

We had a wonderful day on Mondello Beach at the Lido Valdesi. We took a taxi from he historic area…read moreof Palermo where we were staying. It worked out perfectly. We visited a great coffee shop named Touring Bar as we arrived prior to settling in at the beach. Delicious croissants and cappuccino! Later we enjoyed a delicious lunch right on the private beach at Valdesi. Excellent food and service. I recommend this private lido as the chairs and umbrella were high quality and the bathrooms were easily accessible. It was also just a quick walk across the street for excellent gelato!

We were staying here on this beach in a holiday home with private access to the ocean…read more So we did enjoy this little beach here daily. If you arrive by car, there is a good number of lots right at the main road here. But they fill up very fast. After 10pm it is full - at least in high season. Parking is actually free, even though some local guy will try to charge you. The beach is free as well, even though there's a small kiosk, where you can rent chairs and get some ice cream and sandwiches. It is a stone beach, so just a towel will not be very comfortable. And I have to say that there's quite some garbage on the beach. Besides that, it's a nice little beach. Mostly locals and Italian Tourists gather here, not many international visitors, which is a good thing. The water here is really nice and warm. Very clean as well, at least in the morning. In the afternoon, when the tide changes, more algaes and garbage are being washed close to the beach. So take you swim before that. It's not a perfect beach. It's not the cleanest. But when the water is still clean it's just so beautifully warm and almost without waves. Really nice. Also to get a glimpse of the local life. Not worth for a daytrip I guess, but if you're around this area, surely worth a look. After 7pm the kiosk closes and most people will leave. A good moment to enjoy the beach for an evening walk or to let your dog have a quick swim.

This is the ultimate beach experience in Carini. It's a small town but the beaches are gorgeous,…read moreand this place really is in the perfect spot. This beach club is at the end of the lungomare in Baglio Antica which is primarily a stone beach and, although beautiful, not comfortable for everyone. Marrakech is your perfect solution. During the day, it's advertised as a 'solarium,' meaning you can come here, rent a beach chair and umbrella for a few euros, and take the sun while lounging on the deck and listening to music. They have a bar for drinks and small bites too so it's a perfect way to spend the day. When you get too hot and need a dip (and you will, because Sicilian summers are no joke), they have a step entrance into the crystal clear waters. It's a tropical paradise, and if you are visiting Palermo, I highly suggest you rent a car and drive 25 minutes to this spot. The locals love it, so it has to be good. At night, it's a bar lounge. Don't wear stilettos though because (a) the walkway to this bar is on pebbles/beach rocks and (b) if it's the weekend, you'll be dancing and on your feet the whole night. I've been here countless times in the evening and it's the perfect place to relax after a day at the beach. With the drinks flowing, music on point, and stunning views of mountain, sea, and city, I'm not sure you could ask for more on a warm Sicilian night. The crowd is a mix of young and old. You'll see teens, families, and an older crowd all blended together and enjoying the same space. If your looking for a more quiet evening but still want to take in the views and have a drink, come here during the week. It will be much more quiet. I've never been there during off-season like fall or winter, but I know they do tons of events for holidays and on weekends, as long as weather permits. Don't miss out on this place.

We lucked out with our visit to the Piazza Marina as there was a huge Sunday "flea market" thing…read moregoing on. On tables and on the street and on the pavements, dozens of people selling all sorts of stuff. Cutlery, pictures, LPs and records, glassware, decorative items, stamps, portraits and even a vendor with coffee and pastries. My friend negotiated with a guy who was selling Italian Lira notes. Italy has since converted to the Euro currency so these are increasingly rare. And this was my one regret from this trip. He had two notes and I decided not to purchase the other. I really wish I'd bought it. An Italian lira note, bought in Italy. Ugh, why didn't I buy it! When there isn't a market going on here (the other six days of the week), it is a lovely green plaza surrounded by churches and homes. [Review 12835 overall, 150 of 2020.]

Sat one early morning, drinking my second cup of coffee, overlooking the English Garden. Prepared…read moremyself for a visit to the Villa Trabia, a few minutes away, having some expectations, as always. Went out, crossed the street, walked up to the gate of the villa. Not so much to expect, so far. No tourists, just a few locals having their morning run. Birds, though, plenty of them, singing and opening their wings in the breeze. Just a few steps and you experience a unique atmosphere. Once this garden had 2700 species. Today only 150 remains. But past and present can´t be separated - it´s all there. The grandeur, the greatness, is still present. Nothing is perfect, the decline can be seen everywhere, but beauty remains and the romantic impression is without sentimentality. The Villa Trabia holds an art library. A sweet lady showed me around. The house filled with students reading, listening to music, watching film videos - studying art, right in the eye of art itself. Sat down on a bench underneath a very big tree, talked to an engaged gardener, telling me the names of the trees. Flowers from one of them covered the ground. Left the Villa Trabia through another gate? Yes, I did. But not really. Still inside.

They have a slide and swings and monkey bars. Tons of green space. Romantic benches. People playing…read moresoccer. Watch out for some broken parts of the playground.