early planning days for Sicily - couple of ground level questions

I would spend most time in Sicilia, with some two-night stops if you are driving (be sure your rental contract allows your car to go to Sicilia, some don't). A couple of nights in Venezia, a stop in Umbria, another in Gaeta or Sorrento.

But my favorite rout would be to fly into Venezia, spend three nights, then fly to Palermo or Catania and rent a car there. Drive around the island for two weeks and fly out of the opposite city (Catania has more flights). You could have four bases in Sicilia of three/four nights each, and take daytrips.

I would spend some time in Trapani, Piazza Armerina, Siracusa and Taormina (or Catania and daytrip to Taormina). You may be able to squeeze in a night or two in the Isole Aeoli (Lipari, Stromboli, Panarea).

My favorite daytrip destinations that you haven't mentioned: Segesta, Erice, Selinunte, Agrigento, Villa Romana del Casale, Morgantina, Ragusa, Noto, Modica.

Zoe, thank you for the prompt reply.
I definitely would fly to/from Venice to Sicily and rent a car there only. I have books coming from the library to see what I can build. I am not a fan of 'one night stands' for accommodations, so I'll work on 2 nights if I can. Looking at a map, I can't see how to build a one way rental (rent in Palermo, return to Catania) without some backtracking, but maybe the NE doesn't have the same appeal, or can be done with a return to Catania.
I appreciate the recommendations of other sites.

I was considering flying a major airline from North America to a major European city then Vueling or some low cost airline to Sicily.

The standard warnings about doing that apply. This will be two separate bookings:

• Allow a big safety margin between flights. If you are in any way delayed on your first flight and you miss check-in for your second flight, you need to buy another ticket at full walk-up price, and possibly a hotel if the next flight is on the following day. Ditto if either flight is re-timed.
• Check in online for your second flight, and print your boarding "card", before leaving home.
• If your interchange airport is in the Schengen Area, you go through immigration there, not when you land in Sicily. I.e. even more time needed between flights.
• Do not choose an interchange airport with multiple terminals (London Heathrow, Paris CDG), that will add a lot of time.
• Having hand luggage only will save valuable time.

Thanks Chris.

The point of doing a flight change in Europe was to break up the trip with one or two overnights 'somewhere', so I shouldn't be risking flight delays while flying on a separate ticket. I tend to fly carry on only regardless. :-)

Maria, check out Maggiore for your car rental in Sicily.

I agree with Zoe's list of highlights. I spent 17 days in Sicily in 2015. It wasn't long enough for someone using public transportation. Your trip will be different: You don't feel the need to return to Palermo and will be driving. On the other hand, I am not really interested in Greek ruins so skipped Segesta, Agrigento, Selinunte and Morgantina; you'll need time for those. I did enjoy the archaeological museum and archaeological park in Siracusa.

Try to allow more time for your trip if you want to stop off in Venice on the way.

Thanks Norma for the recommendation.
Acraven, I have just returned from Spain and found the trip was too long. I was ready to go home at about day 18 mark. Cultured out and just plumb tired. It could be that I am still recouperating from a tough 2016, or due to that I overdid my days with 7-10 miles on my Fitbit (and all those hills). I don't know what, but as long as I am still working, I need to shorten trips. Perhaps considering Venice is foolhardy. I will either be there jetlagged, or over tired - and that is most likely why I wasn't enchanted the first visit.
I will do my best to give Sicily the time it needs, but I think looking at it right after a recent trip to Europe, I will remember the hard parts and plan accordingly, rather than let the memory fade and forget the realities. It would be lovely to poke along for several months through several countries with entire days relaxing in my 'jammies - and that is a hope for retirement - but until then, I see I need to reduce rather than add travel time.....or learn how to pace myself better and I don't think that is in me.

I understand. I think in some respects taking public transportation is advantageous. It means built-in downtime as I sit on the bus or train. Also, I am retired, and that allows me to take my time and not feel I have to be up and at 'em at 8 AM every day.

Maria,
I transferred in Rome to Palermo. Stayed 3 nights, picked up a car, drove to Erice, 3 nights, on to Piazza Armenia 2 nights, Syracuse 3 nights, ending in Taormina turned in the car and stayed for 4 nights. In Taormina we relaxed and ate, only takin one day trip to Mt. Etna. We flew back to USA from Catania. We saw a lot but could have stayed longer. I think you have a great vision for your trip. If you want to cut the days eliminate 1 night in Erice 1 night in Piazza Aremina and 2 nights in Taormina. Enjoy your trip.

Lorieann

First, to find flight options, go to the wiki page for each airport (Venice, Palermo, Catania, etc). You'll find a table with all the airlines and destinations for that airport. That will help you narrow down your choices. Consider Milan as a gateway city - from there, you can train to wherever you are staying. If you weren't that thrilled by Venice, consider Verona or Bologna.

Here's what I did (April-May 2014). I flew Alitalia to Palermo with a transfer in Roma. After Palermo, I took the train to Cefalu for 1.5 days (2nights), then train back to Palermo to pick up a rental car. 3N in a seaside town near Segesta. The Zingaro Reserve is nearby (I didn't get there) for a nature hike. I day tripped to the coastal towns (Trapani/Erice/Marsala) and to the Greek temples at Segesta and Selinunte. Next was a day at Agrigento, overnight in Piazza Armerina, a morning visit to Villa Romana del Casale, and then on to Siracusa, where I spent the last 6N in the Ortigia (the old town of Siracusa). With a car, single night stays are pretty easy, just leave your stuff in the trunk and take a small overnight bag to the hotel. Outside of the cities, driving was simple and easy - though if I'd had GPS I would have saved a lot of stress and some backtracking. I didn't get to Taormina (had knee problems and decided to skip it). I also skipped the Baroque towns of Noto and Ragusa, preferring to concentrate on the ancient Greek and Roman ruins. I dropped the car at the Catania airport and flew to Bologna for "more Italy."

I didn't see birds, but the wildflowers were extraordinarily beautiful. If your dates are flexible, I'd encourage you to consider going a bit later, when the days are longer. Do you want to be there for Easter (April 1)?

Loriann and Chani, Thanks so much for these details. Just the sort of thing I was looking for. A blend of public transport and drive would suit me fine. I think nature and Greek ruins will be the focus this trip, but a little coastal down time won't be amiss.
I have a bucket list that extends to entire pencilled in itineraries. One is of Italy from Milan to Venice based more in Bologna/Verona is there....just waiting to actually do 😊
A review of my Spain travel times makes me realize it was a similar time frame with little hassle, so may just add the days in Sicily rather than Europe stops. There are efficient flights via Frankfurt that might just be the practical solution if not as interesting. I can build a rest day on the Sicilian coast somewhere.
Easter, well, this might end up being a 2019 trip (I tend to plan well in advance) in which case Easter is later April. Later April would coincide better with Spring bird migration, however, I need to build around vacation days and our new fiscal year (April 1). Taking a week from two different fiscal years has its benefits. I can compare pricing, but I think more time in March would also save my pocketbook a bit allowing for more days, perhaps. I know Easter is full of pageantry and interests, and ifmit was 2018, I would have strongly considered it, but there are pros and cons. My last trip to Italy, we purposely avoided Easter dates. Closures and crowds were the reasons.
(As a totally unrelated comment, I read an entire book last night. That Summer in Sicily by Marlena de Blasi. A non-fiction love story that spans decades of last century. A lovely escape for you who have an interest in Sicily).

I spent 10 nights in Sicily in April-May 2014. My VERY detailed trip report is here, and may give you some ideas: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/sicily-palermo-caltanisetta-siracusa-taormina

Harold. Thank you for the link. I think a nice red will go well with reading through your report. I can see it is well detailed. I appreciate that.