Wanting to plan a visit to Sicily for 8-9 days in the September-November period. I'm travelling alone and don't drive. What are my options for a leisurely visit to Palermo
and 2-3 other places as well as some of the
scenic interior and coast? Will I need a car
and driver? What are the sources to find
them? Also, any tips on recommended destinations for scenic beauty, antiquity, eating, comfort?

Check out:

http://www.compagniasicilianaturismo.it/

The food and pastries were wonderful in Palermo. If I were going alone and didn't drive I would base myself possibly in Palermo and take organized tours. Or do Palermo and one other place and hire a car & driver to take me to the 2nd place. Taormina also has an extensive list of organized tours that you can take.

I was thinking of doing the same thing about a year and a half ago, but decided it would be too difficult by public transportation. However, that would've been my 4th trip to Sicily, so I wasn't trying to go just to the major sites, and I had some unusual destinations in mind that would've been difficult to reach by public transportation. If you are going to the major sites only, you may have an easier time.

Where do you WANT to go? Do you want to have one base and take day trips from there, or are you willing to have several different overnight stops?

Do you speak Italian well enough to ask questions and figure things out as you go along?

The north coast train line is easy to use.

I traveled in 1999 and 2000 for about 10 days each visit entirely by train, bus and ferry and had a wonderful time. The transportation was very comfortable and easy. In 1999, we took a bus from the Catania airport to Siracuse, train to Taormina, bus to Milazzo, ferry to Lipari and back, then bus to Messina to catch train to the north.
In 2000, we took a bus from Palermo to Selinunte (one change in Castelvetrano), back to Palermo, train to Cefalu, train to Milazzo, ferry to Lipari and back, bus to Messina to catch the train.

Do a text search on the name GAC . This will (hopefully) bring up all of her (his?) posts, many of which deal with transportation options, schedules, impressions, etc. in Sicily. Much of the good stuff was posted prior to registration and, for that reason, a search on the name is necessary rather than just clicking on GAC in the Author: line if you come across one of her posts.

As Holly notes, I have posted extensively on Sicily public transportation. If you give me your itinerary, I can give you a tailored response.

That is a kind offer. You should take her (him?) up on it.

Note to GAC: I'm going to start referring to you as "It".

If you e-mail me, I will send my notes and URLs. [email protected]

To resolve the mystery once and for all: GAC is a male!!!!

No immediate plans, but I'd be interested in anything poated regarding getting around by public transportation, other than along the northern coast, which I already know is very easy.

I've written a bunch of posts concerning bus and rail transport within Sicily, including the central and southern parts of the Island.

To GAC: Perhaps you can help me as well?Need to fly from Rome to Messina as reasonably as possible (presume Air One) -Arriving Rome evening 10 July; will be in Sicily only from 11 - 14 July; would public transportation be too constrictive - hope to get to Taormina while there...Thank you!

The closest airport is Reggio Calabria, which is connected to Messina by direct hydrofoils. From Rome, you'll probably have to fly Alitalia. From Messina to Taormina, take the frequent and inexpensive bus. Public transportation is adequate for this itinerary.