So glad I found this site. I am not a seasoned international traveler, and I'm hoping that some of you can share your expertise with me! Am planning a 15-day trip to Sicily in October to find my Sicilian relatives. I'll be traveling alone, renting a car, no real itinerary--just exploring and meeting people! I was dismayed by the air fares on the Internet from the eastern US to Palermo--$1200???? Is that what I'm going to have to pay? Got a quote for a rental car for $580 for 15 days--is that good? I don't know. This trip is my 50th birthday present to myself, and I don't want to skimp, but I don't want to spend more than is necessary either. Thanks for any advice you can offer to make this a special trip!<BR><BR>(And if you haven't read the "Worst habits of a traveling companion" message board, I recommend it! I almost fell off my chair laughing.)

You should NOT have to pay $1200 RT to Palermo unless you must go in the summer. I think a "good" price would be $600 RT to Palermo, and you should not pay more than $800 from the east coast USA. In the winter, you may find RT flight to Milan or Rome on sale for under $300, but I never see really good sale prices to Sicily.

I just noticed that you said you're going in October. Thee MUST be better fares than that in October. Keep looking!

just did a superficial search and found lots of flights in the $900's price range. Better than $1200 but still could do better if you catch a sale.

I agree about the airfares. Also, read Paolo Paolicelli's Dances with Luigi, about looking for and finding, your ancestors. A good read and a good orientation.

Book Rome to Palermo separately. I did and save about $250 per person.