Sicily

I loved this tour, but when I went it started in Taormina so I just went there a couple days early and relaxed. I see it starts in Palermo now. Actually, this was my least favorite town or village we stayed in. I'm sure seeing a dead cat in the middle of the walkway on my first time out walking didn't help. I'm hoping it's cleaner for your visit. I did like the market and the painted carts and the day trip we took from there.

Visiting the archeological sites (temple and theater) in Segesta was a highlight for me and could be a day trip from Palermo if you rent a car. But it might be already included in your itinerary. In Palermo, don't miss the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel. The Kalsa district in Palermo is worth visiting as it's full of great eateries and local artisans shops.

Hi Kevin. That tour does not include much time in Palermo. I like the Palermo area. There is a lot to see and do there. Here are a few ideas that I can suggest. I would arrive there a few days early. Get a good Palermo guide book and decide what you want to see that is most likely not included on your tour walk around the city. Wander the streets. Lots of churches to visit. As you face the Catedrale di Palermo make sure you go to the small Piazza Sett'Angeli on the right hand side to admire the architectural designs on the back of the cathedral. Try to stop in the Chiesa del Gesù di Casa Professa to see its Baroque interior. I don't know if your tour will also enter the churches at Piazza Bellini, but those are also worth visiting. If you are into religious sites you could get a driver or cab to take you to the cave of Santa Rosalia on Monte Pellegrino or go out to see the seafront at Mondello. If you are into eerie things, visit the Capuchin crypt and museum. I was reluctant to go in there but it was interesting in an eerie way and not really scary. The regional archeological museum Antonio Salinas is interesting. If you like flea markets visit the Mercato delle Pulci on Piazza Domenico Peranni not far from the cathedral. Check to see if there are any performances at the opera or concerts at the Politeama Theater. The opera house offers tours of the interior.

As far as food goes, make sure you try the swordfish, pasta alla norma., and the gelato or granita and pastries. Try the street foods too. Maybe consider a street food tour.

Lots of possible daytrips from Palermo depending upon your interests. Some are best accessed by train or bus and some by private driver. When you go to Monreale on your tour make sure you also enter the cloisters. The columns all covered in different mosaic patterns and designs are spectacular. Your trip does visit Erice and Segesta. Excellent sites. Views from Erice are stunning on a sunny day and the medieval atmosphere is eerie on a foggy day. You can easily do a daytrip to pretty Cefalù by train or bus. The historic center is very compact and easily walkable. Near Cefalú are the hill towns of Caccamo and Castelbuono, both with castles. Or Castellammare del Golfo can be done as a daytrip. Pretty seaside town with an old castle standing guard over the port. You might be interested in a visit to Borgo Parinni near Partinico and the coast, on the way to Castellammare del Golfo. It is an old village that had been mostly abandoned and has been brought back to life with colorful artistic mosaics and murals.

I second the previous recommendation for pasta alla Norma. Definitely! Unless you don't like eggplant, but even then, this dish will forever change your opinion of eggplant!

In terms of pastry, try a cannolo (plural: cannoli), but be sure that it's filled with ricotta as you wait. So deliciously crunchy and creamy all at once!

In Palermo now. Do recommend coming a few days early to explore the city more. Just ate at a very local reasonable restaurant, Caffe del Kassaro. Favorite canoli in a small bakery Le Angeliche-Dolci al Volo in the Capo Market.

For Palermo:
Stay - Santuzza Maison de Charme
Eat - Procopio Pizzeria; La Galleria

We arrived for our tour early and started with two nights in Cefalu, accessible by train from the Palermo airport. It was a fantastic place to start. Beach, charming old town, hike up La Rocca, all within walking distance of our hotel (Sunset Hotel).

Then it was a short train ride to Palermo to meet the tour. You could plan to spend some extra time there instead of moving locations. The tour allowed for some free time for exploration in Palermo but there is a lot worth seeing (and eating).

After the tour, our flight from Catania Airport landed in Rome in the early afternoon. We booked the Rome Airport Hilton for the night (expensive but convenient) and took the Leonardo Express train into Rome to sightsee for the afternoon/evening. We flew back to the US out of Rome the next morning.

I will second staying in Cefalu for several nights to get over jet lag and enjoy the beautiful area. We did that before heading to Palermo and starting the Sicily tour. It is a great tour! From Catania we flew to Naples and spent 10 days near Sorrento and in Puglia.

I love Palermo -- it has a wonderful vibe. Take time to enjoy an apertivo and people watch. The parmigiano (eggplant pamesan) is out of this world. I took a tour of the very exquisite Teatro Massimo. If there is an opera playing, you might want to get tickets. We spent an enjoyable afternoon in the Kalsa district browsing in some of the wonderful artisanal shops. We stumbled upon a Michelin star restaurant for lunch. Since we didn't have a reservation, they offered us the "social" table. That meant we were seated with a French couple & a young Italian family -- worked for us. We stayed the the Hotel Quinto Canto and loved it. It's very well situated. I've heard of the "No Mafia" tour offered by Addiopizzo, a non-profit group fighting the mafia that looks quite interesting. I'm returning this spring -- can't wait.

Do not miss the Invasion Museum in Catania.

We did the “No Mafia” tour and would highly recommend.

looks like some really good advice here. I am doing Sicily in November, 9 days, split between Palermo and Catania. i am also looking for some advice on "safety". everywhere you go has "rough" or "bad" areas i guess, but just wanted to get some opinions on catania. how is it at night when it comes to safety? i'm a 51yr old male and I'll be by myself. i've been to Italy 6x and traveled solo 3x and i have never had a bad experience anywhere i have been in Italy.
thanks