There is a train line with Trenitalia around the island- main stops being major cities like Palermo, Trapani, Catania. Renting a car from Palermo airport is definitely the easiest way to get around the island. Sicily does have Uber Black as well as some Taxi apps- look at Freenow, itTaxi to call cabs from your phone and pay through credit card.
Madeline's aunt & uncles coffee shop/bar/ restaurant/ gelateria- anything you order will be amazing!
If you have extra days (or even a morning!), here are some recommendations Touring the area: -Teatro Massimo (Palermo’s opera house) -Quattro Canti -Capuchin Catabombs of Palermo -morning market Ballaro -Palermo Cathedral Areas to eat & drink: -Nautoscopio- outdoor bar right on the water in the port area -Vucciria- very cool little bars, people spilling onto the streets to drink and hang Beach towns/ swimming spots/ coastal places to see- Isola delle Femmine (Pino's hometown), Mondello (closest to Palermo), Zingaro Nature Reserve, Castellamare del Golfo, Faraglioni di Scopello(book in advance), San Vito lo Capo
Monreale- village with view of Palermo, beautiful church Monte Pellegrino - Santa Rosalia shrine (Patron saint of Palermo) Erice- beautiful medieval village about 45 minutes from Palermo (try the famous Genovesi pastry) San Vito Lo Capo- about 1 hour from Palermo, gorgeous beach town. Park at Peppi's for great beach access, parking, and chairs for 20 euro! Cefalu- located east of Palermo My favorite island off Sicily is Favignana- you take a ferry from Trapani (can book in advance through Liberty Lines or Siremar), rent bikes or scooters there and go to the different coves! We go to Cala Rossa, Bue Marino, and Cala Azzurra everytime. Trapani is also a very cute port city.
-Taormina- probably the most visited area in Sicily (even pre-White Lotus), Greek amphitheater, beautiful coastal views, view of one of Europe’s most active volcano Mt.Etna. Very popular to do hikes/treks on the volcano. -Giardini Naxos- beach town close by -Noto- amazing, clean Baroque-style city. -Siracusa- another coastal port city with the small island of Ortigia attached.
Agrigento's Valley of the Temples. (2 hours away)- A UNESCO World Heritage Site with some of the world's best-preserved ancient Greek temples Selinute (1 hour)- one of Europe's biggest archaeological parks, also Greek temples Scala dei Turchi- (2 hrs)- beach with beautiful white cliffs (as seen on many travel mags!)