We're going to be flying in to Palermo Monday, Sept 8th morning and leaving from Palermo Wednesday, Sept 10th night. We've never been to Sicily before. We will likely rent a car. My key question is with such a short amount of time where would you recommend visiting and where should we stay? We're mostly intersted in eating well and relaxing by the beach but also would like to see a few important sites as well. Any hotel / restaurant / city / sites recommendations?? Your help would be greatly appreciated!

For such a short stay, you don't even need to rent a car: you could spend virtually all your time in Palermo and Monreale, with an optional full day side trip by train to see the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. If you don't want to dedicate a full day to Agrigento, you could instead rent a car upon arrival at the Palermo airport to drive to the magnificent Greek temple of Segesta, then drive back to drop the car at the airport (4 hrs. roundtrip including 2 hrs. on site). There is half-hourly airporter bus service into downtown Palermo for a mere Euro 4.70 per person. In town, I recommend the Hotel Massimo Plaza, Centrale Plaza, Grand Hotel des Palmes,and (budget)Hotel Joli. All are within walking distance of Palermo's major sites (which are very worthwhile). Be sure to see the Cathedral of Montreale. Take bus no. 389 from Piazza Indipendenza (rear of Palazzo dei Normani).

I misspelled Monreale and Palazzo dei Normanni.

I second the vote for Monreale. Usually I feel "churhed-out" when I visit Italy, but the cathedral in Monreale is extraordinary. While we were in Monreale we had lunch at a restaurant called Dietro l'Angolo, Via Chiasso Piave, 5. It has a large covered veranda with a beautiful view overlooking Palermo and the water.
The Greek ruins at Segesta, while not as vast as Agrigento, are very well preserved. There is a huge temple and an even larger Greek theatre. Segesta is much closer to Palermo than Agrigento is. We visited Monreale and Segesta in the same day (by car.)
As far as the beach is concerned, you can take the autostrada from Palermo toward Trapani. There are nice beaches in Castelmare del Golfo and Scopello, and a beautiful nature preserve (Zingaro) all within about 11/2 hours of Palermo.

I would spend both nights in Palermo, and if you are really interested in spending some time at the beach, you can spend a few hours at Mondello Lido (short busride from Palermo), rather than trying to reach a beach that is further from Palermo.

If you are jet lagged upon your arrival, you might want to stay within walking distance of your hotel (Hotel Centrale Palace is, in terms of convenience, in the PERFECT location, though you'll definitely pay a premium for this; also keep in mind that the streets tend to get very empty at night). There is lots to see, and you might start with a walk to the cathedral area and then on to the Palazzo dei Normanni. From there, you can take the bus to Monreale.

On day two, you can head in the opposite direction down Corso Vittorio Emmanuele (Kalsa neighborhood) to see the church of San Francesco. Five minutes from there is the Palazzo Mirto (old Sicilian noble house, worth a short visit), and a ten-minute walk will bring you to the Galleria Regionale (Palazzo Abatellis)--a great collection of Sicilian art and sculpture (if you like art). Maybe you can get in some beach time in the afternoon, or perhaps on your last morning?

If you like archaeology and artifacts, spend some time in the Museo Archeologico Regionale--great collection of temple fragments (many fragments quite intact), as well as artifacts and Greek/Roman sculptures.

It might be nice to spend the last morning (if you are not at the beach!) walking through the Ballaro' market (about a 15-minute walk from the Hotel Centrale Palace). In my opinion, it is more colorful than the Vucciria market. Check out the church (Il Gesu') right near the market--marble and stucco interior that sets it apart from churches you might see in the rest of Italy.

As you can see, depending on what you like, you can easily spend the entire time in Palermo itself! Don't forget to make time for a few leisurely meals.

Good luck! It's a great city.

MMM

Eastvillage,

Sorry, forgot the restaurant recommendations. For two moderately prices trattorias that have typical Sicilian menus, CASA DEL BRODO (five minutes from the Quattro Canti) is really good, and has been recommended by Palermitans. Also good is 'A CUCCAGNA (off of Via Roma) for fresh seafood and Sicilian specialties.

I enjoyed pizza at ITALIA (a few blocks from the Teatro Massimo). For a taste of Sicilian tavern food (if you are picky about what you eat you might want to ask what it is you are eating before you try it), Taverna San Francesco is located opposite the Church of San Francesco and is packed with locals in search of an arancino (rice ball), sfincione (thick pizza dough with anchovies and other goodies), or some sandwiches of more adventurous food.

MMM

thank you both so much! very helpful!