We will be going to Sicily this autumn and would like some suggestions from this knowledgeable group on the web site - where to stay and what to do - from Palermo to Taormina and beyond!

Visited Sicily a few years ago and it was great! Although you can eventually OD on old cities with great baroque buildings. Some highlights:
- Agrigento & Segesta with their ruins (didn't make it to Selinunte)
- Zingaro 'National' Park (or 'Natural' Park ?) west of Palermo - nice hiking
- Village of Erice high above the valley on a plateau near Trapani. Also visited Marsala (most definitely try the wine).
- Dome of Monreale above Palermo. Norman Palace in Palermo.
- Port of Cefalu east of Palermo
- Frescoes at the ancient roman villa at Piazza Armerina - do not miss this, really really nice
- Taormina is of course great, and Syracuse city & ruins is also worth it
- Back then it was still possible to hike on Mt Etna & take a cable car up to the top of the skiing area (where of all things we ran into a full fledged Spanish 'estudiantina' band in full attire who even performed a few songs for us in the snow - one of those things that are pretty surreal...). I think however that with the recent eruptions this is probably not possible anymore.

You'll love Sicily, the people & the food are just great. Prepare to eat a lot!!

Chtiet has some great suggestions. I'll add to them by suggesting a visit to Syracuse (Syracusa). It has a beautiful and picturesque old section on a peninsula, wonderful restaurants and some great ancient ruins, including an almost perfectly preserved Greek theater.

We stayed at the Excelsior in Palermo, the rates were good and the rooms fine. Best rate found on res99.com

If you go to Agrigento, stay at the Jolly Hotel, excellent, includes a breakfast in the rate...might find best rates at their website.

I went in 2000. Extensive trip report, you can search the archives (I don't have time at the moment). I loved it. We went to Taormina, Agrigento, Siricusa, Palermo and a few other places. Fantastic trip, best vacation of my life.

I lied, I do have the time to find it

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179154

Please post any questions or comments!

I tried res99.com did not work Please help, check!

Taormina is very nice, however, a little touristy.
Nearby Mount Aetna is interesting, also Gorges of Alcantara.

Sorry it took me a while to come back to the board...I see the website doesn't come up...try http://www.travelnow.com/index.jsp?p...edOptions=true.
or the jolly hotel website: http://www.jollyhotel.com/ for a good hotel in Agrigento, the Jolly.