My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip in early June (we are in our early 30's and live in NYC). We are going to go to Rome/Florence for 6 nights. We wanted to spend the last 4 days of our trip on a beach. Have been to Amalfi coast so was thinking of either going to Hvar, Croatia or Taormina, Sicily. Would fly from Rome to either destination but can't decide where to go. We are looking for relaxation, nice hotels, beaches and good food. We are not as concerned about the party scene/night life but more focused on travel time and practicality of tacking on a 2nd leg to the trip.

I would pick Taormina---easy access by flying to Catania from Rome. Hvar will not be easy.

Well there is no comparison between Sicily and Hvar as islands - Sicily is far more interesting with far more to see. But if all you want to do is sit on the beach it doesn't make much difference - I think the beaches may be better at Taormina, but they are well below the town. Taormina and Hvar town are both very touristy, although Hvar has more high-end tourists and floating penthouses (yachts).

I love them both.

Hvar gets crowded in the high season but June is probably early enough to still enjoy it (I was there in May--very quiet; the yachts had not arrived yet). You can boat very inexpensively to smaller islands--the one I visited was St Klement, where we were dropped off by the little boat we took, spent part of the day walking around and sunning on an isolated beach (limestone), and the rest of the day dining at the rustic, wonderful, open-air Dionis Restaurant. Another day we went to Zdrilica/Mlini Beach.Again, stones, but lovely setting and good food available. Hvar town and the island it's on are fun to explore too--4 days would go by quickly.

Sicily is also a delight. Taormina is beautiful, with a lot of tourists. Again, never been there in June (only March, May, and October, when there are far fewer tourists). The beach down below it (you can take a cable car) is pretty but small and full of women trying to sell you a foot or back massage. But there's plenty to do in the area if you get tired of fighting them off.

Personally, I think I would choose Hvar.

I would recommend my favorite place in Sicily -- the Aeolian Islands (especially Panarea and Salina) -- but with only 4 days you might lose too much time in transit to make them worthwhile. But think about them for another time!!!