We are going to have about two weeks in Italy, and planning to visit Tuscany, and Sicily.
Does this itinerary sound reasonable:
1. Flight from Florence to Palermo
2. Transfer to Taormina and spend 2 days here
3. Visit Siracusa (do we need 2 days here as well?)
4. Spend 3-4 days on Lipari (is Lipari a better choise of a short "vacation from vacation" time, or should we consider Salina?
5. Take a ferry to Naples, and from there a train to Rome.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Have not been to Lipari but one day in SIracusa is sufficient.

There are great antiquities on the other side of the island-Agrigento and Segesta.

Too much in too little time for Sicily!

First of all, if you fly from Pisa on AirOne (part of Lufthansa) you can get a direct and reasonably priced flight to Catania which is only 45 minutes from Taormina (instead of nearly 3 hours from Palermo).

Then make day trips from Taormina including Siracusa (Modica & Ragusa is another good one). Taormina in itself can be considered a "vacation from the vacation", but I prefer Salina over Lipari and this is one of the most fabulous hotels ever: http://www.capofaro.it/.

Happy Planning!

Hi, argus1500 -

I'm not sure I'm following your itinerary: Are you planning to spend any time in Palermo? I enjoyed it, and was particularly impressed with the cathedral in Monreale.

As for Siracusa, whether you "need" 2 days there depends on what you want to see and do. I'm really glad I had 2 full days there, and would not have regretted it had I spent even more time there.

Hope that helps, and hope you enjoy Sicily as much as I did!

Thank you all for your responses! They are very helpful.
I would definitely use AirOne to fly to Catania; however, do they also have flights there from Florence, since it is going to be our "base" in Tuscany. We have been to Florence before, so the main goal will be side trips to Siena, Pisa and San Gimignano.
From the "base" in Taormina we will venture to Siracusa and possibly Agrigento, and finish our vacations with the short stay either on Salina or Lipari.
I know it looks a lot for such a short time...We may be able to extend our vacation time somewhat, but certainly no more than three weeks altogether.

I would do more time in Siracusa/Ortigia instead of a daytrip or use that as your southern base for Ragusa,etc. Taormina-too touristy and overrun with tours and cruise ship people.We were ready to leave way before two days!

Dutyfree, it is an interesting thought. I definitely want to see Taormina, if only for the views, but maybe Siracusa should be our base, and it is closer to Agrigento...
Another question to Fodorites who visited Lipari: what are your thoughts/impressions about the island? What about beaches, nature walks?
Thanks again!