Sicily

I like Taormina best, but it's an old town on top of a hill right on the sea and traffic and parking is restricted. So it's important to know the parking arrangments your hotel has. I like to stay at the Hotel La Riva in Giardini Naxos, right at the bottom of the hill (also because I like to hang out at the beach in front of it, plus they have a garage). Wherever you decide to stay check on Google Map how close you are to the freeway entrance (there is one in Giardini Naxos) and, above all, check the parking arrangements with your hotel. Parking is tough in the area, especially in high tourist season. If your hotel/accommodations doesn't have parking (or arrangements with a garage), don't stay there.

I went early to Taormina a couple years ago when the Sicily tour started from there. I stayed at the Hotel Continental and loved sitting on the terrace with Mt. Etna smoking on my right side and the sea down below me. Taormina is charming.....like lots of tourist destinations it is not at its best during midday when the day trippers are there, but it is magical in the a.m. and in the evening. I didn't like Catania as much and I have not been to Acireale.

There are also many lovely apartments for rent in Taormina, and some have free parking. I stayed in an apartment, and had the best trip of my life. I was fortunate to stumble upon this website: magicofsicily.com I am actually returning this September. Taormina is close to Mt. Etna, and has its own lovely Greek Theatre as well as many other sites. If you check out the website, you will see the sites that can be visited using Taormina as a base. I used their guide because I didn't have a car, but, you can certainly tour on your own. I have sent several friends to Sicily after my good experience and they've all had a great time as well.

Hotel Continental does have a discount arrangement for parking in the public garage nearby (I think about 30%). I also loved the terrace, and breakfast was very goog. They have free parking outside the hotel on a first-come, first-served basis, but we found the garage more convenient. This hotel is on a very small street, so listen carefully to directions; we had to be reeled in by the receptionist because we ignored her first landmark sighting.

Thanks for the good information.
Now if one was to spend 2 nights at either Syracuse or Agrigento, which would it be.

Siracusa (on Ortygia), hands down.

Both are particularly beautiful with extensive ruins. Agrigento is near a very nice beach. Siracusa has a better museum and is less touris-oriented, in my opinion. If you choose Siracusa, stay in Ortygia (the old town). Both cities offer interesting side trips as well. Honestly, I would have to flip a coin.

Fred, Tough call, I think a visit to Sicily and you can really see one thing, I say Taormina, views are stunning, although I love Syracuse too, but the theater? Really cool.

Syracuse (Ortygia and also the Archeological area).

Tough call but I would also go with Syracusa.

Siracusa, specifically on Ortygia.

Another vote for Ortygia!

So a 2 night stay in is highly recommended in Siracusa over 2 nights in Agrigento. Is Argigento a place where you can come in from Enna, spend the day and move on in the morning or would one also recommend 2 nights there, too?

On the RS Tour of Sicily I think we were in Agrigento (Valley of the Temples) for only about 2-3 hours and it was fine. Of course, it was beastly hot that day with little shade and we may have all been so worn out from the heat we were just glad to get back in the bus. It was a fabulous place, but really you can spend a few hours just walking through and get a lot out of it.