We are going to Sicily after 10 days in Rome with another 65 year old couple. Thinking of basing ourselves in a VRBO apartment in, at most, 2 locations and renting a car for the week from the airport. Considering Cefalu for one location but looking for advice on second. Is it easy to rent a car at PMO and return it in Catania?
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
Yes, you can easily rent a car at one airport and return at another. I did it in reverse (pick up at CTA airport, return at PMO) with Europcar. Plenty of agencies are at both airports. Occasionally one rental agency will have a fee for this but others won't, or the fee will be tiny. Just shop around. Your best bet is to get and return at the airport - they will have the most overlap. A rental agency with a location near your hotel in one city might not have a similarly good location at the other city.
Second location - I would consider Taormina or Siracusa. Siracusa would be my pick - stay on the island of Ortygia, which is very charming and has great water views. The city has a great Greek Archeological sight and other interesting things to do. With a car you can day trip to Noto and Ragusa, as well as Catania and Etna (a little far, this is easier from Taormina but I did it from Siracusa).
Posted by
Washington DC
28450 posts
Whatever you do, don't take that car into the city of Palermo.
I also would opt for Siracusa because of the combination of local sights plus easy access to the Baroque towns like Ragusa.
Cefalu wouldn't be my choice because it is tiny (don't know how lively it will be in October), and there are so many sights to see in Palermo. I'd rather stay in Palermo and take a day-trip (or half-day trip) by train to Cefalu, and I wouldn't have a car during that period. If you do opt for Cefalu, I think you'll be able to figure out a drivable route to Monreale, whose magnificent basilica shouldn't be missed. Since you won't be dealing with the aftermath of an overnight flight, you could plan to hit Monreale en route from the Palermo airport to Cefalu.
Posted by
seattle
2147 posts
I'd also check Airbnb. I've had very good luck with them in Italy and France. I like they way you can communicate so easily with the owners (among other things).
Posted by
Washington DC
28450 posts
Although I didn't go looking for apartments, I ended up in a few in Italy. You'll find some on all-purpose sites like booking.com .