There seems to be so much to see in Sicily, should I choose a base or tour around? Any suggestions for getting around and accommodation?

Please be more specifice- when are you going, how many nights will you have, what are your main interests? Beaches, history, etc.? Will you have a car?

We will be going on 17th Sept for 7 nights. Flying from Stansted to Palermo, Punta Raisi. I love sightseeing and walking, my husband likes beaches and restaurants! So we need a bit of both. Also we prefer to use public transport.

Thanks for any assistance you can give.

Perhaps with 7 nights you could do 4 nights Palermo, and 3 in Taormina. Are you flying out of Catania? Or would you have to go back to Palermo?

From Palermo you can take public transport to Monreale. Within Palermo be sure to see the Quattro Canti, the Cathedral, Cuppucini Crypt, the Vucciria Market, a puppet show... there's a lot to do there.

I had a rental car so I'm not sure what other area of the island are easy to get to via public transport. In Taormina you could stay in a hotel below the town across the street from the beach (I think it's Mazzaro Beach?) or you can just stay in Taormina itself and take a cable car down.

I did 10 nights and did 3 nights Palermo, 3 nights Sciacca (for daytrips to Selinunte & Agrigento), 1 night Ortygia (Siracusa), and 3 nights Taormina. Check out my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34412340

Seven nights? I'd start with three nights in Palermo, take the train to Agrigento for just one night at the wonderful Villa Athena overlooking the Valley of Temples and walking that area the afternoon you arrive. Then head to Taormina for three more nights of beautiful views, walking, and beaching if you want.

AP6380 and Patrick, many, many thanks for your very helpful suggestions. Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Ended up two nights in Palermo, 1 night in Agrigento, three nights in Giardini Naxos, 3k from Taormina, and then back to Palermo for the last night. Public transport was terrific, especially with the way they drive in the towns and nowhere to park! Cann't wait to go back.

I'm glad you enjoyed Sicily. I hope to get back there sometime in the next few years. I just got back from the southern part of the Calabria region, I was visiting family. It's not too far from Reggio Calabria where we could take the ferry to Messina.... The mind spins with possibilities!

I just was in Taoromina this past weekend and was wondering from Giardini- Naxos did you have bus service and how convienient was it to where they droped you off? We stayed on the main sreet in the heart of Taoromina(Hotel Victoria) but was quite dificult to find it, had to drive on the Corso Umberto 1. to unload suitcases etc. Once we were settled it was fine.

Ivitaly,
Sorry, I have only just got back to this site. The bus from Giardini-Naxos to Taoromina was very good and frequent, although it stopped just on the outskirts of the centre and you had to walk up a slight hill. Really loved being opposite the beach and took a day out to relax. I found that the public transport throughout Sicily was excellent; safe, cheap, comfortable, clean and efficient. The journey from Giardini-Naxo's back to Palermo was stunning and being high up you can see far more than in a car. We had to make one connection and the cost was about 20€ each. Total time from hotel to hotel was six hours. Would not have travelled any other way. Highly recommend it.

Thanks for answering my question a year later!! Wow how time passes so quickly. I sure wish i was preparing to go to Italy as it was about this time last year. But if all goes well, it will be in 2006