1. Thinking about staying in Palermo overnight and seeing the town and then Monreale the next day - are the car rental agencies clustered close together in any one section and anyone know any good hotels near (5 minute walk) there.

2. Do you need an international drivers license or will my NY state one do?

It is a law in Italy that non-european driver's licenses MUST be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. When someone laughs at that and says they didn't need one, it is because they weren't stopped. If you never have an accident or don't get stopped you don't NEED insurance either, but would I suggest not getting any?

So it is a LAW. Whether it is "needed" is up for debate with those who don't like to obey laws they think are "silly".

I can't help you with where the rental agencies are in Palermo. You can easily look at AutoEurope's website or call them and find out where a number of them are as they work with a lot of different agencies.

{Patrick ) you have been most helpful to me tonight - thanks - how does one get and international license? I could google it - but I leave Tuesday and am up now at 2am trying to get hotels and a car! Thanks again (Stromboli message)

Frank - Two are at Notarbartolo station:

EUROPCAR
c/o Stazione FFSS Notarbartolo
Piazza Notarbartolo

MAGGIORE
c/o Stazione FFSS Motarbartolo
(Passarella Pedonale)

Hertz and Avis are at:

HERTZ
Via Messina 7

AVIS
Via Fr. Crispi 115

Hope this helps ...

Steve

You can get the International license at your local AAA.