Traveling with an energetic, elderly relative who has trouble walking and whose main interest is historic sites and antiquities. I am planning/hoping to bring an offroad capable wheelchair. An Italian (but not Sicilian) friend of ours offered to drive us around the country and give us an overview. My relative is ambitious and wants to see as much as possible. I don't think we have the capacity to expand our trip. We basically have 5 full days and another 1/2 day (arrival day). Maybe I can get this to 6 1/2 days but not yet certain.
After reviewing the various posts, I think our focus should be on Palermo, Agrigento, and Southeast Sicily in Syracuse. My itinerary below probably doesn't allow for enough travel time between Agrigento and Syracuse given a planned stop at Piazza Armerino in between but I am hoping to get to Syracuse on that particular day. Also wondering if Taormina is worth it. We're skipping Etna. Any advice is welcome.
Monday - Day 1 - Stay in Palermo
Arrive Palermo Monday around noon.
Rent car.
Explore Palermo 1/2 day today, the next day and morning of the third day:
- Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo)
- Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace) and Palatine Chapel
- The Capuchin Catacombs
- Quattro Canti
- San Giovanni degli Eremiti
- Teatro Massimo
- The street markets
- Street food tour for dinner?
Tuesday - Day 2 - Stay in Palermo
Explore Palermo in Morning
Afternoon trip to Monreale for the Duomo
Return to Palermo for the night.
Wednesday - Day 3 - Stay in Licata or Ragusa or closer to Piazza Armerina?
See one remaining thing in the morning in Palermo
Drive to Agrigento from Palermo (2 hours)
Tour the Valley of the Temples
Drive to night accommodations
Thursday - Day 4 - Stay in Syracuse/Ortigia
See Piazza Armerina (morning)
Drive to Syracuse and tour the neapolis.
En route, consider stops in Modica, Palazzolo Acreide, Marzamemi, Noto. Not sure what to prioritize or how long to spend there.
Friday - Day 5 - Stay in Syracuse/Ortigia
More exploring of Syracuse.
Saturday - Day 6 - Stay in Catania or Rome
Drive to Taormina (90 minutes) and tour it.
Stay in Catania for an early flight the next morning or fly to Rome late for our flight home the next morning.