we are a family with 2 kids and we have total 6 nights (5 and half days) to spend at Easter, 13th to 18th April. As I got an excellent industry rate for a 4 star hotel in central Palermo I was wondering whether to stay all 6 nights in Palermo with 2 or 3 day trips somewhere (Trapani or ?)from there by bus or train or maybe better to fly to Catania, stay 2 nights in Catania for excursion to Etna and then transfer to Palermo for 4 nights and fly out from there.
I appreciate any suggestion.

I really prefered the area on the east coast of Sicily - Taormina and Siracusa the most, but also enjoyed things that could be done from Palermo. Palermo itself was "worth" a couple of days, we did a day trip to Cefalu on the train which was easy. We then rented a car but some of the areas that we enjoyed that could be done as day trips from Palermo incuded Erice (much more interesting than Trapani), Segesta, Agrigento and Seluninte. We had 11 days so obviously you can't do everything in less than 6. If your hotel deal is really good there would plenty you could do with Palermo as a base. If you do decide to fly into Catania I would suggest staying in Taormina or Siracusa rather than Catania.

Hi Fabio,
You could easily spend 6 days in the Palermo area. Some wonderful day trips are Selinunte, Segesta, Cefalu, Agrigento. You will need a car for Erice. Monreale is a local bus ride away and a half day trip. The city itself has a lot to see also.
But I agree with Isabel that the east coast has a lot to offer also and that there are better places to stay than Catania. Taormina is spectacularly beautiful and you can get an excursion to Etna from there. Siracusa is also a beautiful, interesting city to visit.

Fabio

I was just browsing and came upon you post. I have a recommendation nearer to Catania for some of your time. I stayed there in May 2004 and it was delightful. Will only work if you have a car though...I assume you do since you talk about day trips.

The place is http://www.gianferrante.it/
an newly built agriturismo in a citrus grove near Paternó.

Ranieri Berghinz is the proprietor and I just looked at the web site and they are advertising an Easter Special.

thank you all !! I will check this gianferrante. Yes I got a car. Our plans are:

day 1 arrival at 09:15 am in Catania after a 1,1/2 hour flight from Pisa. Pick up car and, according to weather conditions, trip on the summit of Etna, by cable car and then 4x4 vehicles. Rest of the day and next morning around Taormina.

day 2 trip to Siracusa area
day 3 Noto and then Piazza Armerina

days 4 to 6 hotel based in Palermo for days trip to

- Agrigento, Valle dei Templi and back via Selinunte
- Erice and San Vito Lo Capo
- Monreale and downtown Palermo, Cathedral and Palazzo dei Normanni

day 7: morning in Palermo and flying home at 4 pm