Southern Italy and Sicily

Check the airlines re direct flights to Sicily. I don't think there are many that don't stop in Rome. You're in CA and that's a long, long way. When I go to Sicily, I usually fly into Rome and then use "skyscanner.com" to book a flight from Rome to either Catania or Palermo. I have checked several times about the train, and have never used it because I think it's a 7 hour train ride because there's a ferry involved, but it can be done. Roberto may give advice on this. It seems such a waste when I have a short time to spend 7 hours on a train, and I can fly pretty cheaply out of Rome, and only an hour and a half to either Palermo or Catania. I am going in Sept. this year and have booked a flight from Rome into Catania @ $130 on alitalia, and plan on touring the East side, seeing Etna, Syracusia and
Taormina, then bussing to Cefalu, staying 2 nights and then on to Palermo for a few nights, and flying to Rome. Again Alitalia, and the flight is only around $80. Several days in Sicily is not enough, in my opinion, but that's up to you. Many people in the U.S. think Sicily is small, like the size of a city, but it's really big and worth at least a week. I either go to Italy, or Sicily unless I have lots of time more than two weeks. This time I'm doing 4 days in Rome and about 10 days in Sicily. On other trips I've flown into Rome and gone north to Florence and Venice.

Donna has good advice. We have flown into both Palermo and Catania by going first to the "cheapest" place to fly from our home base (one time Frankfurt, one time Brussels) and then using the intra-European airlines to get to Sicily. We spent two weeks in Sicily on each trip (one trip for the west, one trip for the east). On the latter, we took the ferry from Messina over to the mainland and then the train up to Naples. We have never rented a car in Sicily, though I'll admit that it would save time on the ground - just not worth it for us.

We are planning on a similar trip. There is a ferry from Naples to Palermo - overnight: http://www.snav.it/index.php?option=com_snavbooking&task=step2&Itemid=196&lang=it From Naples to Palermo PAR mar.22/10/2013 at 20:00 $127.62 Or, an overnight train that leaves Naples at 8 PM or so, and reaches Palermo in the morning. From Rome, add another 1 hour and 10 minutes. Both options save you on overnight hotel and may get some scenery in the morning.

Thank you for your feedback. We are still in the formative planning stages for our trip but after reading your feedback we think we may spend alot more time in Sicily. How do you get around in Sicily...train, bus, etc. We rather not rent a car if possible. Also, recommendations as to what not to miss in your opinion. Again Thanks!

Carol,
Here is a site I used for tons of info on Sicily. There are many many links on this site to tell you just about everything in Sicily. Best of Sicily

Hi, Carol. I sent you a private message with more detailed info. Repost if you don't get it. I have never rented a car in Sicily, don't like to drive there -- it can get a little "hairy.! lol

Hi Carol, I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Sicily and don't want to rent a car either. Here's a link I found to be helpful; it's old, but the links to different bus and train websites are good:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/circling-sicily-by-public-transportation.cfm In addition to the Best of Sicily website others have spoken about, I have used this one, also helpful: http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/sicily/ Good luck with your planning and, of course, have a great trip!

Best option from LA is Alitalia via FCO. There is a non stop LAX to FCO. from FCO then Alitalia has multiple flights to both CTA and PMO. Lufthansa also flies from MUC to CTA. But only 2 daily pairs, so I don't know if it would work. As suggested, you can also opt for a low cost from Rome. But I suggest giving yourself sufficient time for the transfer, because it's a separate check in process and if you arrive late from the US you might be out of luck. From Sicily to Naples the fastest option is flying with Volotea.