We stayed at the Hotel Joli, which is just a few blocks from the airport bus stop at the Teatro Politeama and just at the edge of the historic center.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57624349637005

> Can we also visit Caltagirone at the same time? Doable?

YEs, IMO that should be doable.

I would not drive in Palermo unless you're arriving on a Sunday morning when it is very quiet. Other times there is lots of traffic.

The hotels in Taormina and Agrigento look great. Don't forget to walk through the public gardens in Taormina.

I was quite disappointed by Etna. I only went to the parking area (not to the top) and walked around a bit. It's all lava with some craters. There are tons of souvenir shops. Etna looks better from a distance.

Looks like a great, realistic itinerary. Yes, you can easily visit Caltagirone on the way to or back from the Villa Romana del Casale. We simply did not because by that point in our trip we wanted to sleep late, linger over breakfast and putter around Modica.

Drop your car at the Palermo airport and taxi or bus in! Avoid driving in Palermo.

Your place in Agrigento looks very nice.

I had a courtyard-facing room at the Hotel Falkensteiner in Palermo which was spacious, calm and wonderfully quiet. Hotel was reasonably priced, peaceful and well located. Friends had a room that faced the street across the hall from me. Their view was of course charming, but they apparently were kept awake late on the weekend night we stayed.

http://www.falkensteiner.com/en/hote...ermo-entdecken

We all really enjoyed Palazzo del Sale on Ortigia. Very attractive and intimate with warm and friendly staff.

http://www.palazzodelsale.it/

If you do end up staying in Modica--which is both lovely and <I>real</I>--I cannot recommend Casa Talia highly enough. I was traveling with two friends and we stayed in the mini suite called La Meridiana, perfect for us and with a private terrace.

http://www.casatalia.it/

If you are interested in fine dining while in Modica, we had a fantastic lunch at Ristorante la Gazza Ladra. It's located in a hotel that looked very nice too.

http://www.ristorantelagazzaladra.it/

Talking about Sicily is reminding me how much I want to return...

Enjoy!

Thanks again for all your help. I have a couple more questions, please.

I don't know how it exactly happened, but we have an extra day in our itinerary ( not a bad thing at all!). We probably will add it to our time in the Northwest. If we leave Agrigento, can we stop at Selinunte before traveling further north? Is it safe to leave a car in their parking area with the luggage in it?

We will have 4 nights and we want to see Trapani, Erice, Segesta, Egadi Islands (maybe), etc. during our 3 days. One question is where to base ourselves- one or two places. In looking at the map, we could spend 2 nights in Marsala (maybe on a farm?) and then moving to Trapani (in town). As I've said ealrier, we have tended in recent years to stay in one place and to spend our days traveling outward from that site to see the area. We came to the conclusion that it is not the most praqctical way of seeing Sicily (at least for a first timer). Would you stay in one or two places if you had the time and where would you chose to base yourself?

When we complete our reservations, I'll fill you in on our choices. I'm very grateful for your help and have made a couple of files already on your suggestions. Thank you, everyone.

Selinunte is quite isolated from any town area. The parking lot should be safe--it was for us.

Segesta is just a couple of hours. There's the Greek temple at the base, and the Roman and later ruins at the top of the hill.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...ith/4785234382

"Would you stay in one or two places if you had the time and where would you chose to base yourself?"

I chose two nights in Erice and two nights in Trapani, and was happy with my choice.

I second Michael's recommendation to include Segesta as well as Selinunte.

I LOVED Agrigento!! And, yes, it is usually still really hot in September. We actually went the first of November one year, and it was wonderful! Cool nights, but high 60's to high 70's during the day. That's the time of year their pressing the olives, too. Great chance to get some of the best olive oil in the world!! :-)

I'm considering a 2013 trip to Sicily and this post has some terrific information, it's been extremely helpful reading! :-)

LCI,

When are you going to Sicily? I'm planning on May 2013!

Dayle...

I have no firm plans yet, but thinking either May 2013 or late summer/early autumn 2013 (possibly Sept/Oct.)

I know little about Sicily and this post was great for me to get a good idea for possible itinerary.

We have booked all our lodgings, which range from small hotels to B&Bs. Since we often just stay in one place and take day trips from there, so this will be a reminder of past travels. I'm looking forward to discovering this magical isalnd. I'm now in the midst of compiling restaurants, so if anyone has a favorite, please let me know.

Larry and I will write a trip report when we return in mid- October. Maybe we'll even post some entries while traveling. LAst year in the Dordogne, we posted daily photos of food.

justretired - care to post your itinerary?

we're all keen to share others' ideas about Sicily, in search of that perfect trip!

Here is our current itinerary:

Day 1-2: Taormina- Arrive Catania from Boston and rent car. Drive to Taormina and stay at the Taodomus Hotel for the first 2 nights. We chose it based on reviews on Trip Advisor and Booking. The hotel seems to be well located and was quite inexpensive for the area. We will see the Greek theater and maybe Etna and Castelmola if there is time.

Taodomus Hotel
Corso Umberto I, 224
98039 Taormina
http://www.taodomus.it/

* Note that we decided not to visit Catania on this trip. We plan on returning for another visit to further explore Catania, and the North East region including the Lipari Islands.

Day 3- 5: Drive to Siracusa- We are staying in Ortygia to see the Greek Theater, the Museum, Ortygia itself, and to absorb the food, flavor, and sites of nearby area.

Aretusa Vacanze Siracusa
Vicolo Zuccala, 1
96100 Siracusa
http://www.aretusavacanze.com/inglese/home.htm

Day 6-8: Drive to the Baroque Villages- We decided to stay in Ragusa with a stop at Noto on the way south. If there is time, we would like to make a side trip to Piazza Armerina and Caltagirone to see the mosaics and ceramics.

L'Orto sul Tetto
Via Tenente Distefano, 56
97100 Ragusa Ibla
http://www.lortosultetto.it/

Day 9-10: Drive to Agrigento: The drive from Ragusa to get to Agrigento and the drive to Trapani when we leave are both relatively long and with some stops, so we thought we would need 2 nights in Agrigento - the first night, we would visit the site in the evening and then, return in the AM to fully explore the sites.

We have booked this agritourista: http://www.fattoriamose.com/
It was recommended by a good friend and also Alistair Sawday.

Day 11- 13: Drive to Trapani with a stop at Selunite on the way. We hope to visit Segresta, Erice, Trapani, maybe Marsala, the salt flats, and maybe the Egadi Islands.

Residence La Gancia
Piazza Mercato del Pesce
91100 Trapani
http://www.lagancia.com/en/index.aspx

Day 14- 18: Drive to Palermo and drop off car at airport- take a bus into town..

Ai Cartari (Bed & Breakfast)
Via Alessandro Paternostro, 62
90133 Palermo
http://www.aicartari.com/

Day 18: leave Palermo for Boston.

thanks!

it looks very interesting and the sort of thing we might do.

please indulge us with a trip report on your return.

You will love Sicily and I think that Ortigia will be magical for you!

jr - what great accommodation you appear to have found.

certainly a terrific starting point if and when we get round to Sicily.

No matter what, please don't miss Monreale-it is spectacular. If timing works out, have a meal up the street from the church.

Your itineray looks great! Agree that you won't want to miss Monreale. For lunch, there is a wonderful restaurant near the church called Taverna del Pavone (Vicolo Pensato 18).