My wife and I want to visit Sicily this autumn for two to three weeks. She has a bad knee and so it is difficult for her to walk around. We will probably rent a car. We will visit Palermo, Cefalu', Catania (my wife's family came from near there), Siracusa, and the temples at Agrigento, plus whatever else strikes our fancy. My interests are history and archaelogy, and hers is food. I speak a modicum of Italian and we've been to Italy several times.

I'd like to stay in just a couple of places so that we wouldn't have to be constantly moving. Can anyone suggest a centrally located place or a few places (preferably a small town or village) where we could base ourselves? I'd like to have a place that is scenic enough for my wife to just look at scenery in case she is not up to touring some days.

Thanks for any suggestions. both as to where we might base ourselves, and anything else you think we should know.

Anywhere in Sicily is lovely, but my heart belongs to Taormina There's enough history there to keep you inspired, yet it's very easy to just relax when your wife needs to. I also really love the nature reserve! It may not be a town or village, and it may be a really popular destination, but scenic it is quite abundantly and there's a reason some destinations never lose their popularity.

I agree that Taormina should be one location, but you may need 3 to see most of the island. Here is my report from 2005--we had 5 locations. IT is hard not to include Palermo.

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

I agree that you will need several bases even though its a relatively small island. Outside of the Autostradas, you will be on roads that loop & curl so it takes time to get around. You will need 4 - 5 bases to see most things of interest with leisure. With 2 + weeks, you can see a lot & have time to relax.

I will throw out our trip report too:

http://members.rennlist.com/imcarthur/sicily.htm

I did post it on Fodors but the pictures enhance things.

Ian

Well, you should probably take a look at Taormina, but unless you like really touristy places don't make it a main base. There's lots to see in Sicily, but it is kind of spread out around the island. Definitely plan to spend some time in Siracusa (Ortigia), and Palermo (Monreale) and maybe Trapani or Erice.

Still another TR: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-sicily.cfm?62

Thank you all for your help, and particularly the detailed reports with fotos. Looks like two weeks or so is enough to see the highlights of Sicily. So probably see some of southern Italia and a few days in Roma for my Rome-fanatic spouse. And looks like I'll need to base in four or five places in Sicily.

Looks like we'll probably push this trip to October or November, to get lower season rates at lodgings.