Suggestions on my Sicily itinerary

We picked up a car in Ortigia, I think the company was Avis. I also see there is a Europcar. Have you looked at dropping the car in SIracusa? It doesn't look like you will use it once you arrive. It would save you some money. There is a bus between SIracusa and Catania.

Just quickly, I think you are definitely short of time in Palermo. I think you are doing too much in your 2 weeks.

Busy, busy, busy! But doable! I’d suggest a stop to see the Greek ruins at Segesta on the way to Trapani. Though a lot of people love them, I’m not a big fan of either Taormina or Cefalu. I would spend more time in Palermo and visit the Villa Romana outside Piazza Armerina. One thing you’ll have to do is find parking in many of the small towns and avoiding the ZTL’s. Even small towns have restricted areas, especially if tourists visit. This site may help in locating ZTL’S. Don’t forget your International Driver Permit.

After we finished the RS Sicily trip last May, I rented a car from Avis in Catania down at the port for the day. We wanted to play at Il Piccolo golf course (on the slopes of Mt. Etna) about 50 miles away. Driving in the city was crazy - lines on the road are just a suggestion, people double park everywhere and just open their door, scooters weaving in and out of traffic, pedestrians have the right of way, fast and aggressive drivers everywhere. Andrea, our fabulous RS tour guide, gave me some advice: “don’t look the other drivers in the eye, just keep moving”; it was great advice, but very scary driving in the city. The freeway driving was fine. The country winding roads were ok, got pretty narrow at times and I didn’t hesitate to pull off when a truck was coming the opposite way.
Be sure to get an International Drivers Permit to drive in Sicily. I got mine at AAA.
I have driven in Italy in years past, and this fall I drove us around for 10 days on a golf trip in Scotland (on the left side of the road- now that is hard!).
You have a very full trip planned and will be spending a lot of time driving and finding your way around, plus getting tours and hotels arranged. We loved seeing Sicily with the RS Sicily trip and spent our time enjoying everything and not worrying about the logistics.

It is a lot.

I would not spend 2 nights in Argrigento. Maybe add to Siracusa.

Maybe day trip from Palermo to see Cefalu and add two nights to Palermo. This would give you one more day in Palermo and the train is easy.

We rented from Siracusa and returned in Palermo using Avis as well. I would consider that. Then you can go from Siracusa to Taormina, saving yourself time.

This is what we did in same amount of time. I would have liked another night in Ragusa and Palermo.

Taormina 3 nights
Ortigia 3 nights
Ragusa 2 nights
Agrigento 1 night
Erice (outside) 2 nights
Palermo 3 nights

We really did like Cefalu for two nights, we also didn't care for Taormina though we had a splendid time in Randazzo visiting the Mount Etna area. We spent the entire day at the Agrigento ruins so we were happy with our decision to stay two nights.

We also liked Villa Romana outside Piazza Armerina, very much. We did it on our way to Agrigento.

I think you are short for Siracusa/Ortigia, as well. We really loved Ortigia.

For the most part, all your destinations are wonderful, but unfortunately, your time is too short. I recommend that you watch some RS episodes and Youtube videos and narrow down your cities.

Thanks all. I liked some of your suggestions and adjusted my itinerary. Is this better? I must keep Taormina in order to do a Mt Etna tour. Not interested in Catania.

Day 1. Fly into Palermo Airport (and will fly out)
P/U car at airport and drive straight to
Trapani (1 hr drive/2 nights). Leaving
Palermo for end.
Day 2. Site see Trapani & Erice
Day 3. Drive to Agrigento (3 hr drive/1 night))
Site see Agrigento & Valley of the Temples
Day 4 Drive to Ragusa (2 1/2 hrs/2nights)
Day 5. Site see Ragusa & do the Southeast
Countryside Drive (Modica, Scicli,
Donhalucata)
Day 6. Drive to Siracusa, stopping at Noto
(1 hr/3 nights). Drop off car upon arrival.

Day 7 & 8. Site see Siracusa, but stay in Ortigia
Day 9. Take train to Taormina (2 hrs/ 2 nts)
Day 10. Site see Taormina & take tour to Mt Etna
Day 11. Train to Palermo (4 1/2 hrs/ 3 nights)
Day 12 & 13. Site see Palermo, Monreale
Cathedral & day trip to Cefalú
Day 14. Train to Palermo Airport to home

It looks too rushed to me but otherwise fine..very good planning1!

I will just mention that, being from Manhattan, NYC, where most of us do not drive much, I am a very nervous and unskilled driver. For many years I would not even consider driving in Europe, so would go as passenger while partner drove. A few years ago I planned a solo trip and took a chance--I rented a car. Since then, I've done a lot of solo driving in Italy and in Spain. I've taken two 3-week-long trips to Sicily in the past two years and drove a lot. I now do all the driving, even when my partner goes along on the trip.

I did not have ONE problem with driving in Sicily, but I did NOT drive INTO any cities. Example, after spending 3 nights in Catania, we took taxi to the nearby airport and rented the car there for the drive to our B&B near Ragusa. I use SIXT for rentals and find them to be very good. I always pay the extra for a GPS in the car, and I always take full insurance. ( used to use AutoEeurope but changed to Sixt for various reasons)

Sorry to go on so long but I hope this is of some help.

Thanks ekscrunchy! Appreciate the advice on driving…it’s reassuring. None of the cities we’re driving into are big, so should be ok. I have RS’s guidebooks directing us where to park so to avoid the ZTL’s.

As far as being too rushed, I followed Rick Steves Sicily tour; and in fact, added a couple of days also. Yes, we move around a lot, but the drives are all small…2-3 hrs per trip, with a day in between the drives. I don’t see that as being so rushed. At least I’m seeing the whole island and not missing much.

We found it easy to drive in Sicily, but we also avoided the big cities. I just used a map app on my phone.

We travel at somewhat fast clip, too. Just know that the RS tours can move at that pace because they're experienced, don't get lost and don't have parking issues.

I suggest getting instructions on where to park prior to arriving at each city. We had trouble finding a spot in Ragusa. Finally stopped the car and one stayed with car while the other looked for the BnB and brought help back to find a parking spot.

I would say that most of the siteseeing is in Ortigia, not Siracusa. Siracusa has the ruin site, but you are already seeing a fair amount of ruins. Also there is a Caravaggio at a church in Siracusa.

Thank you Jules! My husband & I have driven at times in Europe (even Ireland), but never in Italy or Sicily, and it was in our younger days. I will take your suggestion to ask each hotel about parking before arriving….good thought.

And yes, most of our time will be spent in Ortigia and a little in Siracusa.