Sicily, it will be warm, they said. Treat yourself to a professional pedicure, you'll be wearing sandals, they said!
Night 1, Catania. Palazzo Bruca, 63 E. Thought a palazzo would be fun, however really didn't "feel like" a palazzo. Room was very small, very clean. Staff so helpful and actually asked how we planned to get to Siracusa and then offered a better plan. I wasn't aware that fairly close to the palazzo and the cathedral is a bus stop for Interbus, saved a lot of walking. We felt Catania was a little too "gritty" for us, though we liked the cathedral and enjoyed the fish market. We did the RS walking tour and were frustrated that so many of the baroque churches were closed. We ate at Osteria Antica. Food was wonderful and service fairly attentive. We struggled with the Italian menu which I think frustrated the staff.
It was about 65 degrees, about 40 degrees warmer than MN. However, we saved our "hot weather" clothes for the warmer days we knew were coming. . .
If I were to change my itinerary, I would have gone directly to Siracusa from Catania airport on the Intercity bus.
Nights 2 and 3, Siracusa. We stayed in Ortiga at Hotel Gutkowski, 90 euro, wonderful breakfast. We'd been excited that this hotel was right on the water. Turned out that a seawall blocks any view. The staff was very helpful. Spotless room and bathroom. Loved Ortiga and walked all over, by afternoon the 2nd day, my knee was very painful and I was grateful for the cane loaned by forum member, Nancy and the forum recommendations for Voltaren. My husband visited the "castle" and I went to the puppet museum, we both enjoyed our chosen activity. We ate the first night at Osteria da Mariano. Husband was thrilled with quantity and price. I thought the food was fine and staff was quite friendly and pleasant. The second night we ate at Osteria la Gazza Ladra. Really enjoyed, good food, tiny, family owned restaurant.
Night 4. Took the train to Noto. Again, thank you Nancy for the cane! An added benefit was that people seemed to be more careful about bumping me. Loved beautiful Noto. We had gelato with brioche at Caffe Costanzo. We looked at options for getting back to Siracusa to pick up a car, and considered train which was faster or bus, which was closer. They left at the same time. We decided train, and I hobbled down to the train station where we found out our train was cancelled due to a strike. Never heard anything about a possible strike and locals hadn't heard about it either, and commented that it must have been a "regional strike". We had a great time talking to other travelers waiting for the next train. Picked up a car at Avis (arranged thru Autoeurope) in Ortiga, in spite of the very high prices, quite possibly the most pleasant car rental experience, ever. We drove to Ragusa Ibla. Our typically reliable maps.me, struggled with the switchback roads, and by the time we got there husband and I were barely talking. ;) He parked on a random street and sent me off to find Terraza di Sogni (81 euro/night). What a GREAT place! Upon arrival, our host suggested I relax on the terrace while he and my husband looked for a parking spot. Another spotless room and bath. Breakfast is fantastic and the hostess/inn manager, identified all the regional goodies and served coffee. In spite of the chilly, windy weather, we really enjoyed breakfast on their fantastic terrace where we also enjoyed sunsets, while wrapped in a blanket (at this point, Minnesota is now about 20 degrees warmer than Sicily ). We ate at Il Barocco, actually both nights. Pleasant service, good food, great wine selection.
Night 5, Day trip to Modica and Scicli. Tried the chocolate and bought a bunch. Walked around Modica's old town a bit. Drove to Scicli. So cute, but disappointed that cathedral was closed. Went back to Ragusa and did RS walking tour. He doesn't do this lovely town justice and we wished we had another day to explore Ragusa and the region.