Sicily for a week and a wedding... help needed please.
 

Hello everyone, as per my previous thread we have just found out my step son is to be married in Sicily (Taormina) in September. Great news (not so for the budget as we will have just returned from Europe 10 weeks earlier) but it doesn't leave me as long as I usually have for research!

I knew nothing about Sicily until 48 hours ago and I am hoping that Fodorites may help me fill in some gaps.

So, thanks to all who made suggestions in my earlier post, we have made the decision and booked yesterday (poor credit card!)
We will fly into Catania on Sept 14 am and fly out of Catania on Sept 21.
Now for some fine tuning....
Should we stay the whole week in Taormina or perhaps split the week in two?

I like the look of the SE part of the island as well, thinking about first 3 nights in Siracuse area and then maybe move up to Taormina?
Any comments on that plan?

I have conceded that we will not be able to do the whole island and don't particularly want to be rushing around everyday.

Would a car be mandatory for these areas or could we use trains?

Only "must do" so far is Mt Etna, can anyone recommend specific tours please?

Thanks in advance as always.

Syracuse is definately worth a visit. If you can, stay on or near Ortigia, the medaeval part of the city, on an "island". Three nights would give you plenty of time to explore Ortegia and the Ancient Greek part of Syracuse.

There are some good B&Bs on Ortegia, including Il Cortiletto:

http://www.italialodging.com/est/ilcortiletto/index.htm

You can get around Sicily by train, and there are bus services from Catania Airport to Syracuse and Taormina.

For Mount Etna, this is a good company:
http://www.volcanotrek.com/

Thank you Londonres! Il Cortiletto looks great, we may be joined by my adult son so apartments that can manage three look good.

You're welcome. My brother lived in Syracuse - it's wonderful. Have a great time!

Just realised, this is the website for Il Cortiletto:

http://www.ilcortiletto.com/

Thanks again londonres, this is a better website, I have emailed them as it looks like it would suit us very well.
Like the idea that it has it's own kitchen facilities but can still be booked for less than a week like most apartments require.
We may be joined by my adult son who is not sure of his plans yet so I have asked for something that could sleep a third person if necessary.
Now to find something similiar in Taormina!

topping for any other help, thanks.

With only a week I'd stay in Siracusa for 2 nights and Taormina for 5 nights.

Thanks Caroline, Il Cortiletto has vacancies in Ortigia and a link on their website for http://www.villagalante.com/
looks interesting for Taormina.
Does anyone know this villa at all?