We are planning our 20th anniversary trip in late April thru early June, starting in the south (warmer) and working our way north thru Italy into France. Our travel priorities are food & wine, culture & relaxing, and we enjoy an occasional splurge on great restaurants and hotels. Have been to Italy/France many times, but never to Sicily. We're giving ourselves 7-10 days there, flying into Catania, renting a car to stay in the countryside, tour the island and historical sites, finishing in Taormina, and then driving north to the Amalfi Coast. We decided against flying into Palermo and starting there, as we felt the city might be an intense place to start, perhaps a bit like Naples which we did not care for.

Several questions:
What do you think about flying into Catania and starting the trip in rural Sicily vs flying into Palermo and starting in the city?
What are your favorite hotels and/or cool places to stay in Sicily?
Should we drive north to Amalfi and is there a good place to stay on the way, or should we consider a boat or plane instead?
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

I think your idea to fly into Catania rather than Palermo is a good one. We flew into Catania and were delighted with the ease of renting a car and the getting onto the roads. We stayed first in Siracusa, the old section and enjoyed it. There were excellent restaurants there and it was a short drive to the city to see the Greek temple and the wonderful museum. We finished our visit in Taormina, a great place to relax but with plenty to see.
We have never driven up the coast to the Amalfi drive, but I would be inclined to take the ferry to Naples or a plane out of Catania which is an easy ride from Taormina. I have read that the drive is a long one and the road not the safest in Italy. We visited the Aeolian Islands, staying on Lipari. We parked our car in a secure garage in Milazzo and took the hydrofoil which worked well for us. I think seven days is a pretty short time to experience Sicily. I would stay ten if possible, but that is just personal preference.

Your plan sounds fine to me, but I recommend that you spend more than a week in Sicily and take several days to drive from Taormina to the Amalfi area. Since you have the luxury of so much time, it would be a shame not to see some of the wonderful sights of southern Italy, especially the amazing historic town of Matera in Basilicata, where the dwellings and churches are caves ("sassi" in Italian) carved out of the solid-rock hills.
I made this trip last year and would do it again in a heartbeat, but I'd spend more than one or two nights at each stop, as I did on that rushed trip.
Buon viaggio.

I like your plan. I agree with above and would add that Taormina was my favorite destination in Sicily. We did drive north from there--had no problem--and stayed in Maratea[Aquafredda] at the Villa Cheta Elite--highly recommended. From there, take the direct road to Salerno past Paestrum.

Thanks for your suggestions. We'll definitely consider Matera and Maratea. Any other personal recommendations from you Fodorites for your favorite places in Sicily? Ciao.