The little known Aeolian Islands just of the northern coast of Sicily are an undiscovered delight, particularly if you're looking for peace and quiet surrounded by the pleasures of nature. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca The sea is deep blue, warm and clear, ideal for underwater swimming and fishing, accompanied by flying-fish, swordfish, turtles, sea-horses and hammerfish. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. The islands are bathed in a limpid clear light, setting off the black volcanic pumice stone. Sicily villas Vines are cultivated on the coastal strips and around the towns. Campo Bello di Mazara Accomodation On the island of Vulcano bathe in its warm sea-water, heated by underground volcanic springs. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. The active volcano on Stromboli offers a spectacular opportunity to observe lava flows and frequent noisy minor eruptions. Agrigento Villa Rentals  

As elsewhere in the Roman Empire, the Romans were replaced by the Vandals and the Ostrogoths, who demolished far more than they built (one rare example is the villa of Piazza Armerina) and were swept away by the Byzantines. Piazza Armerina Map The Arabs who followed them moved the capitol from Siracusa to Palermo, renamed most of the existing towns, and planted the first carobs, date-palms, citrus trees, jasmines and melons. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. The Normans took over in 1061. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca They tore down almost all signs of Arab culture. Discount cheap lodging Giarre They brought the island to a new level of prosperity and planted a different kind of seed, still visible today in the blonde and red tresses of many Sicilians. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. It is to the Normans that we owe the most spectacular of Sicily's architectural treasures. Capo D Orlando Bed and Breakfast From the cathedrals of Cefalù, Messina and Monreale to Palermo's Zisa and Cuba, the churches of San Giovanni degli Eremiti, San Cataldo and the Martorana. Under the realm of Frederick II, the Swabian king, Sicily became one of the centers of the Western world, and perhaps it is not surprising that the principal architectural endeavors of this era. These lasted only from 1220 to 1250, were of a military nature, such as the castles in Siracusa, Catania and Salemi. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. When Frederick died in 1250, his successor Manfred was murdered by the ruthless Charles of Anjou, whose French allies streamed into the island and established a new aristocracy so despised that it led to the popular uprising called the Sicilian Vespers. Egadi Islands apartments Eventually, in 1302, the French gave way to the Aragonese (part of the same dynasty which sponsored Christopher Columbus), who dominated until 1734. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. The aristocracy created during this realm left their magnificent homes, such as Palermo's Palazzo Sclafani and Palazzo Chiaramonte, scattered all over the island. Cheap flights Sicily The Aragonese clergy, while wielding the heavy arm of the Inquisition, effectively conspired to keep almost all artistic traces of the Renaissance out of the island.

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and occupies a strategic position at the toe of Italy. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca The island has long been a magnet for invaders - all of whom have left their mark. Hotels Sciacca Greek temples, Roman ruins, Norman castles and Byzantine domes. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. Visiting these relics of the past, swimming off the island’s beautiful golden beaches, marvelling at Mt Etna – Europe’s largest live volcano – and sampling first-rate seafood are all part of the Sicilian experience. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. City of Catania. Places of interest in Trapani Situated at the mountain slope of Etna and to the center of a fertile lowland cultivated to citrus fruit, it was occupied from the Cartaginesi versus 700 B.C. Enna apartments Then it was under the dominion of Siracusa and conquered from Dionigi and from the Cartaginesi then, finally by the Romans in the 263 B.C. Information about Panarea Subsequently conquered from the Normanni was destroyed in 1693 from a terrible earthquake. Tourist Information office centre Sciacca. We find it again today, like commercial heart of the Isle with its splendid and attractive baroque.

Tourist Information office centre Sciacca