Hello fodorites -

My family and I are embarking on my parents "dream trip" to Italy this summer and we've recently encountered our first issue (and surely not our last). Alitalia cancelled our planned Tuesday departure and now have us leaving on Monday. We are flying into Palermo and have a villa booked in Cefalu for a week, and I just found out that there's no way to get in a day early. We are renting a car and should have no problems getting our reservation moved to the day earlier. SO - advice needed - drag the 6 of us (four 20 somethings and two 50 somethings) into the city of Palermo for one night and then head to Cefalu the next day or book a hotel in Cefalu for the day we arrive and transfer to the villa the next day (or stay in a separate city altogether? We have family in Brolo, an hour east of Cefalu). I know we'll be tired that first day, especially because 4 out of the 6 of us have never been on a transcontinental flight, so I'm wondering what you think might be the easiest. Sidenote - my brave husband is driving all of us in a 9 passenger van...he must really love me. Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

Sleep in Palermo. You probably shouldn't drive after a long flight anyway.

The airport is way west of town. I would stay out on that coast--look at Castellmmare del Golfo.

What about one night in Monreale? In looking at the map, it appears to be a relatively short drive from the airport...

Here is one option; a well-regarded agriturismo not far from the airport:

http://www.casaledelprincipe.it/story.htm

Here is a hotel on the beach in Terrasini, which is about the closest town to the airport:

http://www.florioparkhotel.it/uk/index.html

I would choose a place near the airport, rest, have a good meal and a sleep, and head to Cefalu the next day..