Sicily trip planning suggestions
 

I'm organizing a 10-day trip to Sicily in June with friends and am struggling with the itinerary.

We are flying into Palermo, then driving to Agrigento to spend 4 nights with relatives.

Also plan to spend 4 nights in Giardini Naxos and the last 2 nights somewhere close to Palermo airport. We will do day trips from all locations.

The first 4 days in Agrigento are a must, the rest of the trip is still up in the air.

Areas I would love to explore:
the coast from Agrigento to Erice,
Enna down to Ragusa and over to Syracuse,
Taormina-Giardini Naxos
Palermo and surrounds...Monreale, Mondello, etc

Which of these are better as day trips from Palermo? and which from Agrigento?

Seems like there is much more to do and see from Palermo. Would you recommend we cut the Giardini days down to 2-3?

If we do, should we add those days onto Palermo or add in another base city?

Any recommendations would be appreciated, thanks!

A couple of years ago we made a similar trip - 7 days in Selinunte and 4 in Giardini. Since your four days in Agrigento are a must, I'd say your other six days sound about right. I might do three days in or near Palermo and three in Giardini/Taormina. I was not a big fan of Taormina, but we loved Giardini. The beach is nice. It's much more Sicilian IMHO. You might also take a tour of Etna or Gola Alcantara. While you are in Agrigento, I suggest that you spend a day (or half-day) at Eraclea Minoa, one of the nicest beaches on the southern coast. If you like the archeological sites, you should definitely visit Selinunte and Segesta, which are within a day trip. And try to have lunch at Da Vittorio in Porto Palo. Whatever you do, don't miss Monreale.

Grazie, grazie! I appreciate your personal favorites...will add them to my list of recommendations.

There are some excellent threads on this board on Sicily, many of which I used in planning my own trip.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34699704

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34416277

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34620334

I have a sort of an account of our trip at : www.microbes.plus.com/sicily2005.htm

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Lots of useful info there, especially the Via Michelin site.

Looks like you want to do our trip, check out our trip report

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34712930

Many fodorites pan Erice but we enjoyed it. It takes longer to get to Ragusa than you would think it should. Monreale is easy from Palermo and the bus runs regularly. we drove but parking is a pain. Your plan would require a lot of driving and doubling back. my recommendation is add a third town. Catania is a good base for Taormina, Enna and Syracuse. Plus its only a 2 hour freeway drive to Palermo.

You can fly into the airport at Catania or leave from there if you are near there at the end of your trip, instead of driving back to Palermo.

Thanks to all who responded!

gfeibleman, I already had some of your favorites copied into my notes...it's great to read detailed trip reports that are chock full of tips to make planning easier