Sicily

Margaret, when I was in Sicily a couple years ago Catania and Palermo were my least favorite places. Even as a base for exploring, the traffic is horrible and won't be a pleasant start to your day. I would choose somewhere like Siracusa on the east coast and then if Palermo is the best spot for you on the west side would recommend you get rid of the car and use day tours or public transportation. I also recommend the Lonely Planet guidebook. My favorite places were Taormina, Agrigento, Monreale. It is a beautiful place and the people were extremely friendly.

Cefalu! Good beaches, fabulous mosaic in the cathedral. I agree that Siracusa is a great place to use as a base, and has lots to see, including one of the best archeological museums in Europe and an extensive archeological site. Palermo is good if you can stay on the outskirts, away from traffic. Segesta is close enough for a day trip (so is Cefalu, actually), and in the opposite direction is Erice, a little medieval gem on top of a mountain.

Thanks for your insight, and any other comments would be greatly appreciated. Having never been to Sicily, I'm at a loss, but your comments will help clear the fog!

Agree that Catania is a place to get out of right away, and it's not that far from Siracusa. If you have a car, Agrigento and Selinunte are wonderful along the southern coast. We loved Sicily, especially in the spring, when it is a solid mass of wildflowers.

With only 5 days, not sure if that includes your travel days also but even if not, I'd say pick one side of the island. You'll find plenty on either side to keep you occupied. Myself, I prefer the western half and love Palermo. Really, you could easily fill five days there.

There is a new segment of highway opened in late 2010 that eliminated the single-lane sectors of Catania-Siracusa road, cutting 30min on driving time between two cities. Between Palermo and Catania, you can make it a useful day (otherwise it is a 3h highway trip with cheap tolls) by visiting ONE OF the following: - Cefalú, very famous old coastal settlement that evolved into a medium city full of ancient buildings and a picturesque "lungomare" (24km highway detour) - Enna (on the highway), a city stuck in the mountains, with stunning views of the dotted valeys up north - Piazza Armerina (35km by main 1 l.p.d. (lane per direction) road): ancient Roman bath archaeological site, famous especially for its old thematic paintings sprawled over a nice forested area. As you are staying only 2 days in Catania, I'd not bother changing the base to Siracusa, as it makes your return flight risky (I'm always in favor of sleeping close to the airport you are taking a transcontinental flight next day).