1

Scopello is rather tiny, at the entry of the Zingara Park with good hiking and small coves with pebble beaches. Good for excursions to Segesta and Selinunte or Palermo/Monreale. All the other gems of Sicily are a bit far away.

2

Hi,
in the Western Side, you may consider Taormina. There are lots of restaurants, pizzeria and bars
It could be also a good base for severl day or half day trips: Catania, Mt Etna, Savoca/Forza d'Agrò, Siracusa, Messina. Taormina is well connected with lots of places.
If you are flying to Catania, it'd be also a good choice as it's the closest airport.
It's very touristy place tough.

In general, wherever you are staying, I do not suggest driving. If possible use public transport, train or bus.

3

Right Artemis2, I didn't pay attention and read "eastern".

4

Thank you for the useful replies so far! much appreciated. Neckervd talks about Sicily's 'gems'. I would be interested to know what people's highlights were so we can make the most of our stay. I have read about Erice, Zingara and Trapani. What is Marsala like? Is Castellammare Del Golfo a nice town to visit? We are looking to stay one night in Palmero before we rent a car. is it a nice city to go wandering for the day?

Looking to get the LP guide to sicily but like getting other peoples views as well.

thanks again,

Jenny

5

Jenny,

We've started in Palermo, which is a beautiful and amazing city with a lot to see and do. I suggest you spend two nights there minimum (also depending on your time of arrival).
We had 12 days in total and focussed on the west too + the south (we had to fly out of Catania), so we've travelled anti-clockwise when leaving Palermo with the rental car and often changed accommodation, sometimes daily (without pre-bookings).
First stop was Monreale, then on towards Scopello. I can't comment all the places we've visited, but after Trapani and Erice i was a bit underwhelmed by Marsala.
Little visited Mazara del Vallo and Sciacca both were a nice surprise for us. Mazara because it is where Sicily meets Africa and Sciacca because it is an unspoilt fishing town, smelly as it should be. Selinunte is between those two places.
Before Agrigento you can visit the stunning Scala dei Turchi on the coast. After Agrigento we turned inland towards Piazza Armerina and then on to Modica and Noto.
We couldn't do no more than that with only 12 days on a splendid but also intensive and sometimes fatiguing trip as many of the highlights are in not so small towns. Besides all that there are numerous smaller gems on your way or with a little detour inland.

I can't comment most of the eastcoast and the north east of Palermo which will be for a future trip. Also, this was our trip, we may have missed 'gems' but we've tried to see the west properly.
With the time you will have and If you prefer one base you must understand that you will have to focus on a limited part of this big island with so much to see.

Now it really is time for you to start reading a serious guidebook ;-)

6

Thanks so much for the detailed info!! You will be happy to know that I have just bought LP for sicily.

Thank you