Palermo was founded by Phoenicians who sailed there from their native Carthage. Lipari Accommodation The Greeks colonized the whole island, leaving some of the most beautiful and best-preserved temples they ever built at Agrigento, Selinunte and Segesta. Nebrodi Accomodation. Around those glorious sites they planted Sicily's first olive trees and grape vines. Sciacca Holiday Flats 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. Nebrodi Accomodation. In Palermo, these groups were known as mafia. Sant Agata Militello Holiday Accommodation  

The Aeolian Islands off the coast at Milazzo are well worth a visit. Nebrodi Accomodation Mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey and thought to be the home of Aeolus (the god of the wind) by the ancient Greeks, they offer spectacular volcanic scenery and fine beaches. Nebrodi Accomodation. The island of Lipari is the most developed. Hotels Solunto Sample some of the island’s sweet white Malvasia wine while here. Head for Taormina – Sicily’s most picturesque town. Erice photos Its magnificent setting on a terrace of Monte Tauro overlooking the sea and its views of Mt Etna have long made it a top tourist destination. Nebrodi Accomodation. The town was an important centre for trade and art through successive Roman, Norman, Spanish and French rules. Booking Hotels Erice

Tourism is an important earner of foreign currency. Nebrodi Accomodation. 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. Egadi Islands Villa Rentals Tours are available to visit Sicily's active volcanoes: Mount Etna, Europe's tallest volcano, and Stromboli, one of the Aeolian Islands. Tourist attractions in Segesta 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. Piazza Armerina Holiday Accommodation

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