At the toe of Italy’s boot across the straits of Messina, is Sicily.
With the contrasting cities of Catania to the east and Palermo to the west. Perched on the edge of cliffs which slope down to the sea is Taormina, with its Greek amphitheatre and fashionable shops, it draws visitors who marvel at the views of the snow capped Mount Etna.
It is the largest of Italy's islands and alluring Sicily feels very different from the mainland, both culturally and socially. Due to its foreign rulers dating back to the eighth century, Sicily is a melting pot of cultures from Roman, Arab, Norman, French and Spanish, with its own hybrid language and delicious food which is spicier than that of the mainland.
Full of magnificent historical sights which tell of Sicily’s past, visitors to the island soon find that even a week is not long enough. Among its artistic treasures are the impressive Greek temples of Agrigento, Selinute and Segesta, the intricate Roman mosaics of Piazza Armerina, the Greek town of Siracusa in the South east, bustling Palermo with its baroque architecture and of course, Taormina with its Greek amphitheatre perched on the side of a cliff looking over the azure sea, with a backdrop of Mount Etna.
We would highly recommend Sicily for a hotel or villa holiday combining the history and culture with plenty of time to soak up the sun and bathe in the inviting sea from one of its diverse selection of beaches.