Palermo was founded by Phoenicians who sailed there from their native Carthage. Special holiday offers Sicily The Greeks colonized the whole island, leaving some of the most beautiful and best-preserved temples they ever built at Agrigento, Selinunte and Segesta. Hostels in Catania. Around those glorious sites they planted Sicily's first olive trees and grape vines. Tourist attractions in Lampedusa Traces of the Roman period in Sicily can be found in the amphitheatres at Taormina and Siracusa, as well as in that city's Christian catacombs. But perhaps Rome's most lasting (and infamous) contribution to the island came in fostering the great land ownerships which eventually impoverished the peasantry and led, many centuries later, to the founding of secret societies aimed at destroying the fabulously wealthy landlords. Hostels in Catania. In Palermo, these groups were known as mafia. Farmhouses in Messina  

From early times Sicily has been coveted for its fertile land and today Sicily still has a largely agricultural based economy. Hostels in Catania. Its main products include wheat (hard wheat from Enna for bread and pasta), barley, corn, peppers, tomatoes, aubergines, courgettes, potatoes, grapes, figs, pears, peaches, La Ficurinnia or the fig of India (from the West Indies) and citrus fruits and almonds (introduced by the Arabs). Hostels in Catania A sweet liquid called "manna" is produced in Castelbuono and Pollina. Cheap hostels in Trapani This is collected from a species of Ash tree. It solidifies and is used in cakes and sweets. Hostels in Catania. Dairy produce includes a number of cheeses such as Ricotta, Pecorino Siciliano and Caciocavallo Ragusano. Cheap flats in Solunto The Sicilian fishing industry provides tuna, swordfish, sea bream, sardines, octopus, squid, prawns and mussels. Other industries include wine (for example, Donna Fugata, Regaleali, Malvasia and sweet Marsala), balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, bottled water (from Geraci), salt and other food processing. Cheap guesthouses Panarea Sulphur mines in Caltanissetta have traditionally played a part in the Sicilian economy. Today chemicals and refined petroleum are modern Sicilian industries. Hostels in Catania. The growth of transport companies and the modernisation of Sicily's road system have been essential to Sicily's industrial development. Calendar of events in Licata Chief Sicilian ports are Catania, Messina and Palermo.

For touring the island can be roughly divided into the north-shore and south-shore areas. Camping and Caravan sites in Palermo The north shore has reefs, olive groves, secluded coves and countless seaside resorts including Cefalu, a gorgeous Arab-Norman city with good beaches. Hostels in Catania. West of center of the north coast is Palermo the ancient capital and the island’s largest city. Be sure to visit the central market and 12th-century Monreale Cathedral which is 6 mi/8 km west of town (it has impressive biblical mosaics). Self catering accommodation Milazzo About 50 mi/80 km west of Palermo lies the ancient village of Erice atop a mountain: It still has remains of a temple dedicated to Venus. Hostels in Catania. The southern coast has an even milder climate so there’s swimming most of the year (although it can get cold there between November and March). Enna villas

Hostels in Catania