Sicily is not a detour — it's a DESTINATION that needs its own trip. 10 days to circle the island: Palermo (Arab-Norman markets), Agrigento (Greek temples), Ragusa/Noto (Baroque), Siracusa (ancient Greek theater), Taormina (the view that killed the ancient world), Etna (active volcano you walk ON). Car required. Rent on DiscoverCars →
Days 1-3: Palermo + west. Day 1: Cappella Palatina (Arab-Norman masterpiece) → Ballarò market (street food: panelle, arancina, stigghiola) → Monreale (6,340m² gold mosaics, 15 min by bus). Day 2: Palermo centro — Quattro Canti → Pretoria Fountain → Vucciria night market → Opera dei Pupi puppet show (€10). Day 3: Drive to Segesta (perfect Greek temple in a field, €6) → Erice (medieval hilltop village, fog+pastries) → Favignana day trip if time (ferry from Trapani 25 min) → overnight Trapani area.
Days 4-5: South coast. Day 4: Drive to Agrigento (2h) — Valle dei Templi (7 Greek temples, €12, arrive 4pm for golden hour light on the Temple of Concordia). Day 5: Drive to Villa Romana del Casale (Piazza Armerina — 3,500m² Roman mosaics including the "bikini girls," €12) → continue to Ragusa Ibla (Baroque jewel, dinner at Duomo restaurant if budget allows). Overnight Ragusa.
Days 6-7: Baroque southeast. Day 6: Noto (golden Baroque, Caffè Sicilia granita) → Modica (chocolate town — Aztec-recipe chocolate, Dolceria Bonajuto since 1880) → beaches (Calamosche or Vendicari nature reserve). Day 7: Siracusa — Ortigia island (Greek temple inside the Duomo, Caravaggio at Santa Lucia, Arethusa fountain, seafood lunch at the market) + Neapolis archaeological park (Greek theater, Ear of Dionysius).
Days 8-10: East coast. Day 8: Drive to Taormina (2h) — Greek Theatre (Etna+sea view through ancient columns), Corso Umberto walk, Isola Bella beach. Day 9: Mount Etna full day — cable car + 4x4 + guided summit craters (€70-100), OR easier south side from Rifugio Sapienza. Lunch at a rifugio. Day 10: Catania — fish market (the most INTENSE market in Italy), pasta alla Norma at the source, granita con brioche for breakfast. Fly from Catania.