After 4 nights in Rome we will fly (suggestions) to Sicily.The best starting city / airport?. We will probably rent a car ( suggestions) and then 10+ days seeing the island (more suggestions) We are well traveled on a reasonable budget. One or two haute cuisine meals and lots of great small very reasonable meals. Eat out of grocery stores a lot - we are experts at this - bread ,cheese, olives meats ... In the wine business. Weather in later June? We travel light with wife buying a nice outfit along the way.We have seen many temples. Enjoy markets, shopping and Beaches - what to expect on the beach? Lodging - simple centrally located with a view and excellent ventilation. A pool would be great every once in a while. Volcanos are great. Leave from where to Rome? Thanks. Fit, early 60's from Seattle.

You probably will want to fly into Palermo. You might want to read my trip report; click on my name to find it.

I agree--start in Palermo and get your car as you leave.
Click on my name for my report from 2005.

OK - Suggestions on flights to Sicily from Rome. I think I asked for too much imfo in my original request. thanks

You could fly into Catania and out of Palermo or vice versa.

So where in Sicily do you want to go? Are you sick of temples? How do you feel about mosaics and churches? I'm surprised somebody from Seattle wants to go to Mt. Etna. I'm from Seattle and haved seen more interesting volcanos in the US.

Sounds like you will want to spend time in Palermo, for the market, the restaurants, and the shops. I think you need to lay out an itinerary before we can recommend specific hotels and restaurants.

Suggest you start here for flights to Sicily - kayak.com.

Then there are the European cheapo airlines, just check their web sites. Ryan Air is one. I've never used them, so can't pop off the names from memory.

Try using the search box above using key words like "cheap Europe airfares". There have been discussions here about these airlines more than once.

Buon viaggo!

For low cost airlines, try http://www.flylc.com/directall-en.asp

You have 10 days, how often do you want to move? A central location is not terribly practical for whole island, so you may want to split your time East/West.

I've twice used Cefalú as a base. It is quiet, has decent beach and restaurants and a great rock to climb to the top of. Also gives good access to the Parco delle Madonie region. Others would probably recommend Palermo as more to do, and easier transport links.

It is so difficult to nail down favourites as there is so much in Sicily. Based on my two trips I think my personal highlights would be (in no particular order):
Roman mosaics at Piazza Armarina
Monreale cathedral
Selinunte
Lipari and the Aoelian isles (Would recommend overnight stay, although it is doable as long daytrip).

Weather - probabaly around 80F
Beaches - will mostly be subdivided into private concessions with loungers/bars etc but there will be public areas

I have two trip reports from 2005 and 2011 that might give some ideas.
http://www.microbes.110mb.com/sicily/sicily2005.htm
http://www.microbes.110mb.com/sicily/2Sicily0.html

ttt

Try and check out low cost Ryan Air from Rome to Trapani in Northern Sicily, from where you can explore the north-west of Sicily, the most beautiful scenary in my opinion. You can also drive to Bari and take a RyanAir flight from Bari. That way you can visit Puglia and maybe even the Amalfi Coast. Italy.