Begin your Sicilian odyssey in its capital city - Palermo. Egadi Islands Accommodation Spectacularly situated along a wide sweep of bay at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, Palermo was the wealthiest and most magnificent city in Europe in the 12th century. Cheap holidays Sicily Today Palermo has an air of faded grandeur and an unrivalled display of Norman art and architecture and Baroque churches. Egadi Islands Accommodation. Stroll along the Via Roma and Via Maqueda in the heart of the old town and get a sense of what Palermo is all about. Cheap accommodation in Sant Agata Militello Don’t miss the magnificent 12th century Norman cathedral at Monreale, 8 kilometres southwest of the city. Capo D Orlando Villa Rentals The inside of the cathedral is covered in breathtakingly glittering mosaics.  

Sicily, the largest of the Mediterranean islands, lies between southern Italy and North Africa. Calendar of events in Nebrodi The island can be seen as a "stepping stone" between Europe and Africa. Egadi Islands Accommodation. 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. Egadi Islands Accommodation 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. Egadi Islands Accommodation. The island is divided into nine provinces: Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Siracusa and Trapani. Booking Hotels Giardini Naxos Throughout history islands have been invaded by foreign powers. Calendar of events in Cefalu 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.

Egadi Islands Accommodation Among the areas not to be missed are Agrigento (to see the Valley of the Temples); Acireale (to see puppets); Taormina (a unique beautiful town perched on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean); and Mt. Etna (10 902 ft/3 323 m) an active volcano on the east coast—its crater is difficult to reach so bring a guide and dress warmly. Calendar of events in Segesta In April 1987 two people were killed when Mt. Etna erupted. Although it can erupt at any time — most recently in January 1992 — deadly incidents aren’t common. Egadi Islands Accommodation. There’s good winter skiing with great ocean views from the mountain; drive the 120 mi/200 km around its base to see a wide variety of scenery. Lipari Holiday Accommodation Among the ancient Greek and Roman ruins on the island are the Taormina Greek theatre and San Domenico Monastery near Messina the Greek theater. Tourist Information office centre Eolie Aeolian Islands In Syracuse the 5th-century BC Temple of Concord in Agrigento and the Casale Armerina (a jewel of a Roman villa with wonderful mosaics) in the town of Piazza Armerina near Enna. Egadi Islands Accommodation. It’s also possible to visit the Pantelleria Islands, the Pelagian Islands and the Aeolian Islands from Sicily. Cycling holidays Sicily There’s enough there to keep one busy for eight days.

Egadi Islands Accommodation