hi penelope,

have you done a search of this board for sicily? there are a number of current threads that might give you some ideas.

until you have more idea of where you might like to go, it's difficult to advise you in detail. the only thing I would say is that in a week, you won't be able to see it all. you need to decide whether you are going to concentrate on the west flying into Palermo - or the east flying into Catania.

you might also like to look at a few guide-books. i like the lonely planet one which has some suggested itineraries of various lengths.

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/navigating-in-sicily---a-trip-report.cfm

You really need a guide book, but here is a start.

My favorite place was Palermo although I could not see everything in 12 days so there are places I missed. You certainly would not want a car there. Can you say which city you're flying into? That would be a help in giving you some advice. As annhig says, above, with a week you'll need to focus on one side of Sicily or the other.

Sicily is a wonderful place to visit but with a week, you will have to pick and choose your highlights.

We spent 10 days and went to Palermo with a day trip to Monreale, Agrigento, Piazza Amerina, Enna, Siracusa/Ortygia and Taormina. We loved everything about the trip and would love to return to see Eastern Sicily. If you look at guides and trip reports, you can get an idea of what you want to visit.

We had a car from the time we left Palermo until our arrival in Taormina. The countryside is a bit wild and very beautiful (we were there in September, 2008).

You might find our experiences helpful:

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/bruce-and-marija-carless-in-sicily-in-november.cfm

You might want to take a look at my trip report; click on my name to find it.

I, too, have a trip report for Sicily...

And I agree with the chorus that you have too little time for all the stand-out sights on the island. I would have a hard time choosing sides, as I loved Ortigia in the east and Erice in the west, but I think I would vote for the west because I love mosaics and you shouldn't miss Monreale.

My least favorite place is Palermo, except during July's Festina de Santa Rosalia. Best places: Syracusa in the sounth, and Erice (medieval hill town) and Cefalu (wonderful old town on the water) in the north.

I went with my three daughters and husband. We stayed in Palermo for 4 nights. We were lucky that my uncle lived there and took us to some wonderful places. The most beautiful place we loved was Mondello. We were only there for an afternoon and dinner. Next time we will stay there for 1 or 2 nights. We also so Monreale and went to Mt. Pellegrino. We saw a wonderful church built in a cave. Magnificent! We also rented a car and went to Polizzi Generosa, a very small mountain town. If you want friendly...that is the place and it takes you back to a world from the past. No street lights, warm and inviting. No hotels. We stayed at Ai Templari. They had a little apartment attached to their restaurant. What a memorable, wonderful experience. Try the Sfoglio. A dessert only in this little place. Let me know if you go!

I just posted this on another thread:

The easiest way to 'do' Sicily is to fly into either Palermo or Catania & exit from the other. Taormina for the stunning views, Siracusa for the atmosphere in Ortygia, the Renaissance triplets (Nota, Modica & Ragusa - stay in one & day trip the others), Caltagirone for ceramics, lots of great ruins - Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Segesta, Selinunte, etc etc with wonderful people, food & wine everywhere.

You will have to do your homework to research what YOU want to do.

Another trip report: http://members.rennlist.org/imcarthur/sicily.htm

Ian

edit: make that the Baroque triplets.

Ian

Ian - thanks for posting your blog.

I'll be reading it carefully as part of my Sicily homework!