Mt Etna, the largest volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world, lies south of Taormina. Self catering accommodation Palermo You are permitted to climb up to 2900m. Tourist Information office centre Noto. 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. Discount hotels Noto 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. Egadi Islands Agriturismo 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.  

For touring the island can be roughly divided into the north-shore and south-shore areas. Flats in Giarre The north shore has reefs, olive groves, secluded coves and countless seaside resorts including Cefalu, a gorgeous Arab-Norman city with good beaches. Tourist Information office centre Noto. 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). Ustica Agriturismo 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. Tourist Information office centre Noto. 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). Houses to rent in Sicily

From early times Sicily has been coveted for its fertile land and today Sicily still has a largely agricultural based economy. Tourist Information office centre Noto. 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). Tourist Information office centre Noto A sweet liquid called "manna" is produced in Castelbuono and Pollina. Cheap Marsala Hotels This is collected from a species of Ash tree. It solidifies and is used in cakes and sweets. Tourist Information office centre Noto. Dairy produce includes a number of cheeses such as Ricotta, Pecorino Siciliano and Caciocavallo Ragusano. Information about Capo D Orlando 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. Car Hire Cefalu Sulphur mines in Caltanissetta have traditionally played a part in the Sicilian economy. Today chemicals and refined petroleum are modern Sicilian industries. Tourist Information office centre Noto. The growth of transport companies and the modernisation of Sicily's road system have been essential to Sicily's industrial development. Discount hotels Caltanissetta Chief Sicilian ports are Catania, Messina and Palermo.

Tourist Information office centre Noto