Sicily itinerary comments?
 

Itinerary question - current plan is below. Is this feasible, or any other recommendations/tips either for the itinerary or things to do/how to best get around? We have a week in Sicily in mid-September, don't want to rent a car, and have to fly into Catania then off to Panzano for a week with friends. We like food, wine, architecture, history, art and music. We're 50s/60's, fit, active, fun, like the offbeat and are engaged with the world around us. We want to experience the local culture - not big on group tours or chain hotels. We want to see as much as we can, but find a 3 night/2 day minimum stay per location is our preference to get a feel for a place.

Here's what we're thinking now :

Catania - 5 nights/4 days, including day trips to Mount Etna, Taormina and the Villa Roma del Casale plus 1 day touring Catania

Ortigia - 2 nights/1.5 days, all touring Ortigia/Siracusa

Thanks again for any comments - R.

Change staying in Catania to Ortigia Is, much, much nicer.

But is it as good or better as a hub?

I liked Catania but think about, maybe, taking a couple of nights from there and adding to Ragusa Ibla.

I may have missed this, but will this be with a rental car? are you open to a private frier for part of the time, to save time and to add to your knowledge of the area?

Although I have done them before and am planning another, I do dislike the idea of dividing your time into 2 destinations far from each other. If Panzano is a given, is there no where else that you could more efficiently combine with that town??? Even on the Adriatic Coast, or the Maremma???

Ortigia as a hub? Yes to visit Noto, Ragusa, Modica!!
We didn’t like Taormina so will not return there. Other than visiting Mt. Etna, Catania doesn’t offer what we like.