Hi all - Our trip to Italy in May will begin with three nights in Taormina, flying into Palermo. I drove around Sicily (west coast around to Catania) 13 years ago with a rental car and found it pretty easy. This trip the time will be spent on the north east side so I am looking for lodging in Taormina as a base with day trips to Messina, Siracusa, Etna. I will gladly take any recommendations on towns. sites to see as I am not familiar with the area.
Next we will go to Positano for three nights so my question is this - my two adult children are on a time schedule with only three weeks for the entire trip so what would be the best way to get from Sicily to the Amalfi Coast? Fly from Catania, train, or Ferry?

Look at Hotel Villa Schuler in Taormina. It has incredible views and it’s not far from the main part of town yet is it’s own oasis with pretty grounds so we were isolated from the crowds of tourists and cruise ship tours. I found it recommended here on Fodors Europe board.
We opted for a sea view room which I recommend. Nice served breakfast.
Sorry you aren’t staying on Ortigia Island, Siracusa’s historical center as well. It was our favorite place in Sicily.

We spent almost 2 weeks in Sicily last April, starting Palermo and ending Catania. We then flew Easy Jet to Naples and took a private transfer to Atrani. We considered taking the train/ferry right through, or from Naples to Amalfi, but decided this would be the fastest and most convenient. We were three adults and felt the private transfer was worth it. This was booked by our Airbnb host, we took it back to Naples at the end of our stay too.

Etna/Messina make easy day trips from Taormina, though I think Catania offers more than Messina. Siracusa/Ortigia is farther away, there’s also much more to see and IMO a day trip wouldn’t do it justice. There’s a good bus service, also the train, if I remember right it’s about two hours each way. The train journey is scenic, goes by the sea for part of the way closer to Catania, with stunning views of Mt Etna

HappyTrvlr-Thank you for the recommendation however I just checked and they have no availability for our dates.

geetika - Thank you, after looking at the options this morning I think flying out of Catania and into Naples is our best option. You don't by chance remember the driver you used for Naples to Atrani and back? We will have a car so should be able to get to Siracusa fairly easily. I would love to go back there! Another friend also said that Messina is not necessarily worth the time considering our short three days.

galelstorm, our transfer was booked by our Airbnb host, don’t have the driver’s details now. You can ask your Positano hotel for suggestions, they’re sure to help.

There are several other shuttle companies you can contact directly, Transferelax, Sorrento Coast Shuttle, etc. An online search will throw up several more, but do look at reviews. These two were recommended to me, though I eventually didn’t go with them.

Check out rome2rio.com for transpo options.

What do you plan to do in Positano area that you need a car or don't need one will/might determine how you get from Sicily to Positano.

Thank you, ajn47ete. I will check them out.

We are only looking for transport to and from the airport as if I recall it is pretty easy to get from town to town on the buses there.

Thanks, geetika

Definitely do take the ferry between towns on the Amalfi, breathtaking views from the water, plus you avoid the winding roads. I got quite queasy on the ride from Amalfi to Positano! Surprisingly, going up to Ravello and back was much easier.

There are direct trains from Taormina to Salerno.
There is even a overnight train with sleeping cars: Taormina dp 23.35 - Salerno ar 6.42