Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands, lies between southern Italy and North Africa. Agritourism in Pozzallo The island can be seen as a "stepping stone" between Europe and Africa. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Caltanissetta. A beautiful, mountainous island, Sicily has been occupied by a series of migrants and invaders. These include the Greeks, Cathaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Angevins and Spaniards. In 1861 Sicily became part of Italy when Garibaldi united the Kingdom of Italy and the island. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Caltanissetta Eighty-five years later Sicily achieved "relative independence". This means that although Sicily belongs to Italy it is responsible for much of its own local affairs. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Caltanissetta. The island is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani. Car Hire Milazzo Throughout history islands have been invaded by foreign powers. Marsala Car Hire However, Sicily's rugged terrain has provided its people with a degree of protection as many of its towns and villages are high in the mountains.  

Tourism is an important earner of foreign currency. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Caltanissetta. There are many castles and churches in Sicily to attract the tourist and important towns such as Taormina and Cefalu thrive on the tourist industry. Booking Hotels Taormina Tours are available to visit Sicily's active volcanoes: Mount Etna, Europe's tallest volcano, and Stromboli, one of the Aeolian Islands. Nightlife Entertainment in Palermo Other places of interest are Madonie National Park, the Baroque towns of south-eastern Sicily, the Cathedral of Monreale, the Dorian Temple and Theatre at Segesta, the ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina, the ancient town of Syracuse and the archaeological area of Agrigento. Tourist Information office centre Giardini Naxos

Mt Etna, the largest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world, lies south of Taormina. Yacht Centres Facilities and Marinas in Sicily You are permitted to climb up to 2900m. Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Caltanissetta. A rope marks the spot where the volcano’s unpredictability makes it unsafe to go any further. Further south, the town of Syracuse was once a very powerful Greek city. Tourist attractions in Messina Check out the medieval buildings on the island of Ortigia which lies in the centre of town. Don’t miss the 5th century Teatro Greco – a masterpiece hewn out of rock with a seating capacity for 16,000 people. Last minute accommodation Palermo The five Doric temples in the town of Agrigento are also well worth a visit. They are the most well preserved of Sicily’s Greek ruins and are truly spectacular.

Diving Centres Dive Sites and Schools Caltanissetta