Looking for recommendations for a villa rentals company in Sicily. We are a family of 6 adults, visiting in mid June. Also suggestions on location would be great. We'll be flying into Palermo, but renting a car. Ideally we are near the beach, in a area with lots of restaurants, shops etc. so we don't need to stay together the entire trip. Let me know

We rented successfuly through www.housetrip.com, in Palermo and in Agrigento (and many othrs around the world). Worth a try. As to where - tell us more about your more specific interests?

If there is <b>any</b> chance that you will have jet lag, I would strongly encourage you to take public transportation for your first night or two. Although many people are not aware of it, there is mounting evidence that driving with jet lag is just as dangerous -- to yourself and others -- as driving drunk, and <b>nothing</b> you can do will prevent the microsleeps (which you might not even notice) that are the apparent culprit. Seriously -- NOT a good idea, no matter your other constraints and no matter your prior experience!

There are many lovely places in Sicily, my favourite is probably Cefalú. It meets most of your criteria - good beach (although, in common with nearly all italian beaches, most of it is subdivided into private areas during summer. There are still two Public areas at either end of the main beach), excellent restaurants, a good base from which to explore the madonie mountains. We've made day trips frpm Cefalú to Agrigento, Palermo, Piazza Armarina and Selinunte.

To echo kja - Sicily is not the easiest place to drive. To get to Cefalú from the airport is about a 90 minute drive, but through the centre of Palermo - to say the drive is "interesting" is a bit of an understatement - I would certainly not wish to do it while jetlagged.

Totally hear everyone about jet lag...I actually travel quite a bit and will have spent two days in Rome so should be find to drive. Regarding our interests; we're NY foodies, History buffs, 2 are 65+ and while active I need to consider they aren't hiking anywhere, 2 are early 20s and will want beach and shopping time, I'm smack in the middle and will need an escape from them all . We have 5 days, and I know everyone will say that's not nearly long enough, but we're really not looking to pack everything. Just hit a few key spots, have some fantastic meals, give the millennials instagram ops and relax.

Given these interests, I agree with willit's suggestion of Cefalu. Although I haven't been there (truth be told), its supposed to have some nice beaches and is close enough to Palermo to give you easy access to that city. AND there is convenient public transportation between Palermo and Cefalu, making it easy for your group to split up and for people to have wine with meals in Palermo, if that's of interest. Enjoy!