I've been scouring the boards, reading trip reports etc. for a couple of months, but I am stymied.

We will be travelling from Toronto and have to end up in Sicily - Taormina to be exact on June 1 for a conference.

Original plan was to go to Croatia- Dubrovnik, Hvar etc. We were planning on two weeks before the conference.

I'm trying to get my head around the logistics. Can't seem to find flights to Catania from Croatia.

Long, or overnight ferry rides do not appeal.

We have "done" Venice & Rome the last two years and are looking for another starting off point.

Will probably go from Taormina to Rome on the way home.

I know this is vague, but am hoping for some input.

I've managed to plan trips to Ireland, France, and Italy basically on my own with alot of help from this board, but I just can't get my head around this one.

Thanks to any and all who can contribute.

You just have to change planes.

I suspect any flights will involve Rome. Several airlines do Rome/Catania--we used Airone. Surely there is a flight Dub. to Rome. You are right, the ferry logistic is not the answer.

Thanks for the reply Bob. I guess I was trying to avoid the numerous plane rides,into and out of Rome.

Was hoping for a direct flight from somewhere in Croatia to Catania.

As it is, we will have to arrive in Rome, get to Croatia, back again to Rome then to Catania then back to Rome for our flight home. Insert Venice or other major Italian city instead of Rome.

Not sure all the flying appeals to me.

Will have to go back to the drawing board, or get my head around it.

Thanks.

Well, you could fly into Venice and out of Rome, or maybe Naples. Or you could fly into Venice and take a ferry to Croatia. Or the train from Venice to Ljubljana and on to Zagreb and Split and take the ferry to Hvar from there. Lots of options.

Here is a useful link: http://www.europebyair.com/efp/cheapflightstoeurope.jsp
I bought tickets from them to fly from Genoa to Catania two years ago. The interactive map is slick and might help in your planning, since you could choose based on which city connects best. The one- way options were very useful, since I then used them for Catania-Rome-home to US. I used Genoa after having been to the Cinque Terre area- anyway, maybe you can pick your starting destination based on your eventual flight to Sicily. Good luck!

You could check out www.harefares.com as it lets you try out a few different options. Hope that helps.

Have you thought of saving Croatia for another trip and just spending 2 weeks traveling around Sicily? Or add in a small excursion to Malta (direct flights from Catania)?