Tentative Itinerary- please leave any advice to make it better
I am planning a trip to Sicily for next year May.
To preface- I have never been to sicily before, but from what I read, 7 days isn’t enough time to explore both sides of the island so outside of 2 travel days (from the US and back) I will be there for 15 days.
Plan to fly into Catania and make Catania be home base for 7 nights. Tentative plans would be hike to Mt Etna, Taormina, Syracusa/ Ortiga, explore Catania of course possible food tour heard the fish is great.
I would like to do an Olive grove/ mill tour with olive oil tasting but am not sure if that should be in Noto, Ragusa or Agrigento. Let me know!
I also would like to fit in snorkeling or some kind of boat/ water day trip (we’re not huge beach people). Recommendations are appreciated!!
The last 8 nights of the trip is planned for the west side. I planned to stay in Borgetto making that the home base. I would like to make time to explore Palermo, Cefalu, possibly Corleone for mafia history, and also Pettineo. Fly out of Palermo.
I read that the east side was more public transit friendly than the west side but see that trains do connect each of the sides together. My question is, should I rent a car to commute from Catania to Borgetto? Take a train from Catania to Palermo then rent a car? Not rent a car at all? Several of the destinations on the west side are far and seem more rural with bus time durations of 9+ hours :/ please drop advice on this!
The goal of the second half of the trip is to be less touristy/ slower paced and truly enjoy Sicily while the goal of the first half is to be the tourist and try and see/ do a lot.
Thank you!!
TLDR: May 2027 Sicily trip for 2 for 17 days (15 days excluding travel). Half on east side, half west side. Starting in Catania, Ending in Palermo/ Borgetto. Should I rent a car for the second half of my trip or no? Recommendations for where I should snorkel and do an olive grove/tasting tour. Any thoughts/feedback appreciated