Ever dreamed of doing a full circle tour of Sicily, along the coastlines?
It can certainly be done (it's quite easy), and you DON'T need to rent a car or take a package tour. Here are some ideas of how to do it using public transportation exclusively:
From Palermo to Messina: you have the choice of the train or the bus. About three hours by either method. www.ferroviedellostato.com; bus alternate: www.saisautolinee.it. Get off at Milazzo for the Aeolian Islands.
From Messina to Siracusa: the train is the only efficient choice, as you would need to take three different buses and transfer in both Taormina and Catania. Under three hours by train.
From Siracusa to Gela: the train is faster than the bus. You pass through Avola, Noto, Rosolini, Ispica, Pozzallo (catamarans to Malta), Scicli, Modica, Ragusa, Comiso, and Vittoria. This is really out-of-the-way Sicily. Three and one half hours to Gela. Bus alternate: www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it
From Gela (bus to Piazza Armerina, Enna and Palermo) to Agrigento: here you must take the bus (1 hour, 45 mins). Be aware that there is much more frequent service out of Licata (one hour to Agrigento), and NO SERVICE on Sunday. www.autolineesal.it
From Agrigento (bus or train to Palermo) to Trapani: here you also must take the bus. Three and one-half to four hours to get all the way to Trapani, passing though Ribera, Sciacca, Castelvetrano (bus for Selinunte), Mazara del Vallo and Marsala. Only one bus on Sunday. www.autolineelumia.it
From Trapani (gateway to Egadi Islands, Erice, San Vito Lo Capo and Pantelleria Island) to Palermo: the bus (under two hours) is faster and much more frequent than the train. www.segesta.it (bus)
The whole trip can be done for 55.30 Euros per person, and takes about 16-17 hours (obviously not all in one day).
In case you're wondering, the circle trip can also be done in counterclockwise direction.