For mid-October of next year--6 nights on the east coast of Sicily before train, train/ferry, train to Salerno (2 nights), then train to Rome, 6 nights there. I pretty much know the lay of the land in Salerno & Rome, but it's in Sicily I really want to do the right thing. And I know that for maximum efficiency I should get a car. That's not going to happen this time--this is our 4th trip to Italy and I haven't driven yet; to me the possibility of a slew of ZTL tickets and/or a car break-in is a risk I'm not willing to accept.
Taormina was our first sight on our first trip to Italy, in 2010 on our 30th anniversary. It was magical, holds a special spot, and is our choice to base for our time on the island, even though Taormina is not really representative of Sicily itself. We have our eye on any number of picturesque AirBnB's, and we have a solid guide company I used in 2010, Sicily Life, that will handle driving, pick-ups, let-offs, and tours, either their own or one I'd customize. They aren't cheap, but it's total peace of mind. Good people. In the past with them we did the Godfather Tour to the movie sites in the ancient villages of Savoca, Forza D'Agro & Castelmola. That was fun, cool, but I don't need to do it again.
When basing in Rome for a week or more, I like to have a list of 'possibilities' but unless necessary for admittance, I like to let the flavor of the day dictate what we do. In Taormina, however, with a guide, advance plans to a certain extent need to be made. I like the sound of a gastro/wine tour on the slopes of Etna--we may book that. In contrast, a daytrip to Palermo (3 hrs each way) or to Malta (forget about it!) are not feasible. Sicily Life does offer a baroque tour of Noto, Modica & Ragusa, which is a maybe.
But I've been reading old posts by the forum's dear-departed Zoe (organized by Priscilla, thank you!) and Siracusa and her favorite--Isola di Ortigia--stick out to me. It's only a 90-minute ride from Taormina, and might be the ticket.
Any other ideas in east or southeast Sicily for an interesting daytrip or two? Happy Holidays to the most informative and least-snarky forum in travel!