I only went to Taormina for 1 week and loved it.
Stayed in town and then on the beach.

You did not go to Mt. Etna? As to Rick Steves I find him very boring the way he speaks / tone of voice.I cannot listen to him for more than 2 minutes.

I don't drive shift. It costs a fortune to rent an automatic in Italy. I paid $240 for 1 day in Sardinia.