Sicily – Italy Travel Guide The Italian name for Sicily is Sicilia, pronounced see|CHEE|lee|ah. The capital of Sicily is Palermo. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Sicily is one of the five autonomous regions of Italy. Sicily’s Mount Etna is Europe’s tallest active volcano, and one of the most active in the world. Sicilian history includes many invasions and long periods of foreign rule – there’s evidence all over the island of Greek and Arab influence along with the more predictable Roman influence. Sicily has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Valley of Temples at Agrigento, the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina, the “late Baroque towns” of the Noto Valley, the city of Siracusa and the Necropolis of Pantalica, and the Aeolian Islands. People from Sicily are called siciliani (masc. pl.). Other variations are: siciliano (masc. sing.), siciliana (fem. sing.), and siciliane (fem. pl.).

Where to Stay in Sicily While much of Sicily is rural and mountainous, there are some large cities with all manner of accommodation options for every type of traveler. Cities like Palermo have 5-star hotels, hostels, apartment rentals, and anything in between. Beach resort towns like Taormina are fairly upscale and expensive, and especially crowded during good beach weather. DOWNLOAD OUR TRAVEL GUIDES DOWNLOAD NOW It’s not as easy to get around Sicily without a car as it is to get around on the mainland – and if you want to get away from the cities and stay in a less crowded area, it’s nigh unto impossible. This is something to keep in mind when you’re searching for a place to stay in Sicily, since your chosen mode of transport will limit you more here than elsewhere in the country. Here are some links to articles about hotels and hostels in Sicily: Vacation Rentals in Sicily What to Do & See in Sicily The biggest draws for most visitors to Sicily are the ruins, the beaches, and Mount Etna – and all three of these things are worthy of your time.

But, as is the case with every Italian region, there’s enough variety to Sicily that everyone will find something entertaining on the island. Sicily is home to some of the best-preserved Greek ruins anywhere, including the temples at Agrigento and Siracusa – and these are only two of the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites on Sicily. The beaches along the island’s coast (as well as the smaller Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea) have long been popular with Italians and other Europeans on their summer holiday. And Mount Etna, despite its size, is really just scratching the surface of the activities available to outdoorsy types. >> In fact, one of the favorite Italy hikes of a former tour guide is on one of the small islands off the coast of Sicily. Art lovers will have plenty to explore on Sicily, from the unique Sicilian Baroque style to the traditional marionette theatres to Palermo’s famous opera house – and even if you’re not a hard core foodie it’s hard to resist the temptations of the foods of Sicily. Cannoli, anyone? Where to Go in Sicily Sicily may be an island, but it’s not a small one.

Add to that the fact that it’s not as easy to get around Sicily without a car as it is to get around other Italian regions and you’ve got the perfect excuse to fill your entire 2+ week trip to Italy with Sicily alone. The big cities of Sicily are obvious attractions for their many beautiful churches and monuments, but the smaller towns in Sicily are equally as entertaining in their own way. Getting to the island’s smaller towns and the always-popular beaches is difficult without a car, so it’s worth renting a car for at least part of your Sicily stay.

Palermo – Sicily’s capital, beautiful historic city on the northern coast Catania – On the eastern coast, very close to Mount Etna, Greek and Roman ruins among the city’s sights Siracusa – On the southeastern coast, home to some of Sicily’s best Greek ruins Trapani – Launch point for Egadi Islands, on the western coastal point of the island Agrigento – Home to some of Sicily’s best Greek ruins (including the nearby Valley of Temples), on the southern coast of the island Ragusa – One of the 8 cities in the Val di Noto on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, on the southern side of the island but inland from the coast Taormina – Popular beach resort town on eastern coast, also has Greek ruins nearby Modica – Another of the UNESCO World Heritage Site towns in the Val di Noto, noted for its many Sicilian Baroque buildings This is a beautiful video of the Sicilian town of Erice: Which island lies between the toe of Italy and Carthage? | Poll Everywhere That's an interesting question! Looks like a Poll Everywhere user asked an audience that very same question. You can crowdsource answers, too!

We'll walk you through the steps to turn this question into a live poll. After that, you can ask any crowd, anywhere, anytime. Much more fun than asking Google. Which island lies between the toe of Italy and Carthage? Poll responses are kept private Sicily Corsica Crete Ask your audience a question with the Poll Everywhere app Step 2 Audience answers in real time using mobile phones, Twitter, or web browsers Step 3 See your response live on the web or in a PowerPoint presentation Still have questions? Is Poll Everywhere free? Yes! Free plans for K12 and Higher Ed educators include 40 responses per question, and the free business plan allows 25 responses per question. Paid plans allow more responses per question, along with premium features like moderation, post-event reporting, and a custom URL for your audience response page. Is this legit? Yup. We invented this live text/web polling bonanza back in 2007. Now over 60% of the Fortune 500 and 100,000 educators use Poll Everywhere to engage everyone. We process millions of audience responses every month.

Beaches and Seaside Towns of Calabria, Southern Italy Beaches and Seaside Towns of Calabria Beaches and Seaside Towns of Calabria Where to Go on the Coast of Calabria, the Toe of the Boot Francecso/Moment Open/Getty Images By Michelle Fabio Updated January 07, 2016. Calabria offers some of the cleanest and most pristine beaches in Italy. Over 500 miles (800 km) of coast line nearly surround the Calabria region , the toe of the boot. Find out what to expect at Italian beaches with these Tips for Going to the Beach in Italy . Tyrrhenian Coast of Calabria Calabria's Tyrrhenian coast features spectacular rocky cliffs interspersed with fine white sand. Capo Vaticano and Tropea are the most popular tourist destinations along this coast and both have Italian language schools. Tropea's beaches are consistently rated some of the cleanest in Italy. Both are achingly quaint villages full of historical sites, shops, restaurants, and lodging in addition to their glorious beaches.

Pizzo is another notable town nearby, famous for its Chiesa di Piedigrotta, a church completely carved out of the tufo rock near the beach, and for tartufo, an ice cream celebrated with a festival in Pizzo every August. Diamante is a fishing village known for its catches, beautiful beaches, and annual Peperoncino Festival in September celebrating the spicy hot chile pepper featured in many Calabrian dishes. continue reading below our video Before Your Road Trip, Watch This Scalea is another popular resort. The beaches that crowd in the summer highlight this old town, but it also has a charming city center spread over a series of steps, from where it gets its name. The area of Scalea lies within the territory of the old Greek coastal colonies of ancient Sybaris and archaeologists have found many prehistoric artifacts here. Along the Tyrrehenian Coast you'll also find Palmi, the home of La Casa della Cultura Leonida Repaci with a collection of pottery and paintings and the Museo Calabrese di Etnografie e Folklore, a superb collection of Calabrian folklore items.

About 3 miles south of Palmi is the Monte Sant'Elia (the first peak of the Aspromonte Mountains) from which you'll enjoy the breathtakingly best view of Sicily and the Calabrian Coast - the plains of the Poro, the Gulf of Gioia, the rock of Scilla, the Sicilian coast, and the peak of Stròmboli's volcano. According to Homer in The Odyssey, Scilla's amazing cliffs were home to the six-headed sea monster Scylla who terrorized ships passing through; the other danger mentioned is Charybdis, a whirlpool in the Strait of Messina. The currents of the strait, which can indeed become quite fierce, are said to be controlled by the temperament of Aeolis (of the nearby Aeolian Islands). Local lore says that mermaids still live in these waves. More tangible things to see in Scilla include its 17th century castle, Castello Ruffo, which sits above the beaches. Near the castle is Chiesa di Maria S.S. Immacolata with a renowned altar and fourteen bronze sculptures of Jesus.

Ionian Coast of Calabria The Ionian coast has calmer waters than the Tyrrehenian Coast, but just as impressive cliffs and stretches of sand. Less developed and often less crowded than its Tyrrhenian counterpart, the Ionian proffers numerous historical and archaeological treats including Le Castella's Aragonese castle and Capo Colonna's sole remaining column of the once magnificent ancient temple of Hera Lacinia. Soverato and Siderno are both hubs of activity on the Ionian Coast with many qualities of modern cities. They get quite crowded with northern Italian and other European tourists in summer. For those who love medieval villages, the best preserved ones can be found in Stilo, Gerace, and Badolato. Stilo features the impressive La Cattolica, a 10th century, brick-built Byzantine church with five tile-covered domes. Gerace is reputed to have been founded in the 9th century by refugees of nearby Locri (a great stop for those who love archaeological digs) looking to escape the pervasive danger of invading Saracens.

It's said that a sparrowhawk led the refugees to this town, which eventually prospered as a Byzantine and Greek Orthodox stronghold against the Church's Latinization policy. Gerace is one of the best preserved medieval villages in all of Italy, highlighted by an 11th century cathedral, still the largest in Calabria, with three aisles separated by two rows of thirteen columns taken from the original Byzantine nucleus of the structure in Locri. Badolato is an 11th century village that was built by Robert Guiscard. Much of the protective stone walls remain circling this town that overlooks the Ionian Sea. Badolato holds 13 separate churches, although only one is still open year-round for Mass. If you love wine, visit Cirò, home of Calabria's most noted wine, nestled into hills full of vineyards, orange groves, and olive trees. The predecessor to the wine of Cirò (Krimisa) is said to have been given to the winners of the earliest Olympic games to celebrate their victories. What to Do on the Coasts of Calabria Both the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts provide welcome respites from the overcrowded, overdeveloped beaches elsewhere.

Calabria's coast provides ample opportunity for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, or sailing, including the unique chance to dive in the vicinity of centuries-old shipwrecks and ancient cities. Of course, there are also the less active sports of sun-bathing and people-watching, which are widely practiced here as well - just be sure to bring sunscreen as the sun of the Mezzogiorno can be brutal! And if you want to escape the heat of the coast, there's plenty to see inland in Calabria's mountains and national parks . Calabria Beaches was contributed by Michelle Fabio, who moved from small town Pennsylvania to her ancestors' hilltop village in Calabria in 2003; she blogs about her life in the toe of the boot at Bleeding Espresso . Italy Italy Area: 301,230 square kilometers (116,305 square miles) Highest point on mainland: Mont Blanc (4,807 meters/15,772 feet) Lowest point on land: Sea level Hemispheres: Northern and Eastern P.M.

= noon GMT Longest distances: 381 kilometers (237 miles) from northeast to southwest; 1,185 kilometers (736 miles) from northwest to southeast Land boundaries: 1,932 kilometers (1,201 miles) total boundary length; Austria 430 kilometers (267 miles); France 488 kilometers (303 miles); Holy See (Vatican City) 3 kilometers (2 miles); San Marino 39 kilometers (24 miles); Slovenia 232 kilometers (144 miles); Switzerland 740 kilometers (460 miles) Coastline: 7,600 kilometers (4,723 miles) Territorial sea limits: 22 kilometers (12 nautical miles) 1 LOCATION AND SIZE The southern European nation of Italy occupies a long, slender peninsula shaped like a high-heeled boot that extends southeastward into the Mediterranean Sea. The country also fans out in all directions onto the European continent, toward the neighboring countries of France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia.

The major islands of Sicily and Sardinia, as well as many smaller islands and archipelagos, also form part of Italy's territory. Italy has twenty administrative divisions. The tiny independent republic of San Marino is a self-contained enclave about two-thirds of the way up the eastern coast of Italy. Vatican City in Rome is another independent entity within Italian territory. Italy covers an area of 301,230 square kilometers (116,305 square miles), or slightly more than the state of Arizona. 2 TERRITORIES AND DEPENDENCIES Italy has no territories or dependencies. 3 CLIMATE Italy has considerable climatic variation, from subtropical conditions in Sicily to year-round snowcaps in parts of the Alpine region. The northern part of the country has a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. Farther south, the climate becomes Mediterranean, with cool winters; hot, dry summers; and less variation between seasons. Average January temperatures range from 2°C (35°F) in Milan (northern Po basin), to 7°C (45°F) in Rome (central part of the peninsula), to 11°C (52°F) in the Sicilian city of Taormina.

Average July readings for the same cities are Milan, 24°C (75°F), Rome, 25°C (77°F), and Taormina, 26°C (79°F). Rainfall is lower in the south and higher in the north. Average annual rainfall ranges from about 50 centimeters (20 inches) in Sicily, Sardinia, and the southeast coast of the Italian peninsula to 200 centimeters (80 inches) in the Alpine regions. Rainfall is highest in the upper regions of the Alps and Apennines. 4 TOPOGRAPHIC REGIONS Although Italy has many different subregions, it can be divided into the following four major regions: the territory north of the peninsula; the peninsula as far south as Campagnia and Apulia; the southernmost part of the peninsula (commonly called the Mezzogiorno); and the islands. Traditionally, a broader distinction has been made between the more industrialized and "European" north region of Italy and the more rural, "Mediterranean" south. 5 OCEANS AND SEAS Four seas surround the Italian peninsula: the Adriatic, Ionian, Ligurian, and Tyrrhenian Seas.

There is almost no spot in Italy that lies farther than 120 kilometers (75 miles) from a coastline. At its deepest point, the Ionian Sea reaches a depth of 4.4 kilometers (2.75 miles), the greatest depth recorded in Mediterranean waters. Seacoast and Undersea Features There are 7,600 km (4, 720 miles) of coastline in Italy. Sea Inlets and Straits At the northern end of the Adriatic Sea is the Gulf of Venice; to the south the Strait of Otranto connects it with the Ionian Sea. The large Gulf of Taranto in the Ionian Sea is located between the "toe" and "heel" of the Italian "boot." The narrow, funnel-shaped Strait of Messina connects the Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, separating Sicily from the Calabria region, at the tip of the Italian peninsula. The Malta Channel separates Sicily from Malta, and the Sicilian Channel lies between Sicily and the Tunisian coast.

Islands and Archipelagos With an area of 25,708 square kilometers (9,926 square miles), Sicily, located just west of the "toe" of the Italian "boot," is both Italy's largest island and the largest island in the Mediterranean. The second-largest island, Sardinia, located northwest of Sicily, is close to Sicily in size, with an area of 24,090 square kilometers (9,300 square miles). Among Italy's smaller islands are those of the Tuscan Archipelago, whose largest island is Elba, where Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled in 1814 and 1815. Other islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea include the Ponza group and the islands of Ischia and Capri off the coast of Naples. The volcanic Lipari Islands at the southern edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea are the site of Stromboli, one of Italy's three active volcanoes. Coastal Features The shoreline in Liguria includes both rocky areas and level stretches of gravel. Farther south, between Tuscany and Campagnia, promontories separate expanses covered by sandy beach and dunes.

The coast of Calabria, the "toe" of the Italian boot, is mostly elevated. The Salentine Peninsula, which forms the boot's "heel," is part of the lowland Apulia region. Most of the Adriatic coast is flat, with a complex system of lagoons shaping the shoreline in the area around the Po delta and the Gulf of Venice. The Venetian lagoon is Italy's largest, covering 55,039 hectares (136,000 acres). 6 INLAND LAKES Italy has some 1,500 lakes—it has more lakes than rivers. Most are found in the Alpine foothills at the edge of the Po Valley. The largest are the Garda, Maggiore, Como, Iseo, and Lugano. In the peninsula, volcanic lakes fill the craters of extinct volcanoes. The best-known of these is Lake Bolsena, which has two islands. Other volcanic lakes include Bracciano, Vico, Albano, and Nemi. The third type of lake found in Italy is the coastal lake. This category includes Lakes Orbetello, Massaciuccoli, Fondi, Lesina, Varano, and Salpi.

7 RIVERS AND WATERFALLS Since most of Italy's many rivers flow across the narrow Italian peninsula and into the sea, most of them are short. The longest rivers are in the northern part of the country. The longest and most important is the Po River, which also has the largest basin. It traverses the northern regions nearly all the way from the French border to the Gulf of Venice. Most of its tributaries flow from the Alpine lakes of the north. Italy's second-longest river, also in the north, is the Adige, which rises in the Alps and flows south to empty into the Gulf of Venice. In the peninsula, a number of rivers cross the Marche, Abruzzi, and Molise regions, including the Reno, the most important river flowing into the Adriatic. On the western side of the peninsula, the Arno and its tributaries flow through Tuscany; the Tiber is among the rivers that flow through Latium and Campagnia. The principal river draining the southern end of the peninsula is the Bradano. 8 DESERTS There are no notable deserts in Italy. 9 FLAT AND ROLLING TERRAIN Plains account for around 20 percent of Italy's terrain.

The most extensive plains region is the Po Basin, which covers over 44,030 square kilometers (17,000 square miles) and has an average elevation of less than 101 meters (330 feet). At the opposite end of northern Italy, on the Ligurian coast, is the narrow coastal plain of the Gulf of Genoa. Venice is Italy's largest wetland area. The Italian peninsula includes the Tuscan plains and the Maremma marshlands farther to the south; the Roman countryside, or Campagna, on both banks of the Tiber, and its coastal extension in the form of the reclaimed Pontine Marshes; the fertile plains of the Campagnia region; and the lowlands of Apulia. DID YOU KNOW? The currents that blow across the Strait of Messina, between the Ionian and Tyrrhenean Seas, were personified as the monsters Scylla and Charybdis in Homer's Odyssey. Scylla was located on the Calabrian coast and Charybdis was situated on the coast of Sicily.

Italy is a hilly country—hills cover roughly as much of its terrain as mountains do (about 40 percent in each case). The majority of Italy's hills are in the peninsula, in uplands that flank the Apennines on both sides. To the west, this terrain, called the Anti-Apennines, or sub-Apennines, forms a broad band across Tuscany. In the east, hills are found in the regions of Emília-Romagna and Marche. The mountain chains that continue the Apennine system on the island of Sicily also descend to hills in the eastern part of the island. 10 MOUNTAINS AND VOLCANOES The two principal mountain ranges are the Alps and the Apennines. The Alps, a series of roughly parallel mountain chains and massifs, are commonly divided into three ranges. The Western Alps begin a short distance west of Genoa (Genova) and sweep in a great arc to Lake Maggiore.

This range includes over fifty peaks with elevations over 3,048 meters (10,000 feet): two examples are, Mont Blanc (Monte Blanco), the highest peak in both Italy and France; and Gran Paradiso (13,323 feet/4,061 meters), the highest peak entirely within Italy. The Central Alps, extending from Lake Maggiore to the Adige River, also possess more than fifty peaks over 3,048 meters (10,000 feet); in contrast to the Western Alps, however, there are valleys between the mountain ranges. The Central Alps also cover a larger area than the Western Alps and have large glaciers. The Eastern Alps cover the area from the Adige River to the Tarvis Pass on the Serbia and Montenegro border. Also called the Venetian Alps, they are subdivided into the Dolomites, the Carnic Alps, and the Julian Alps. The Dolomites have eighteen peaks over 3,048 meters (10,000 feet) high. The Apennine system is formed not by consecutive chains, like the Alps, but by staggered sections joined by passes.

They are more rounded and less elevated than the Alps. The highest summit, at Monte Corno in the Gran Sasso range, is only 2,895 meters (9,500 feet). From Liguria to Palermo, the chain forms an arc that resembles a giant, narrow, inverted letter C . There are three active volcanoes in Italy: Mount Stromboli in the Aeolian Islands, Mount Vesuvius near Naples, and Mount Etna on the island of Sicily. Mount Etna erupted during October and November 2002. Italy also has experienced devastating earthquakes, the most recent occurring in 1997. 11 CANYONS AND CAVES There are a few small caves of interest to explorers in Italy. 12 PLATEAUS AND MONOLITHS Italy does not have major plateau areas. In places where tablelands are found, such as in the sub-Apennines that border the Apen-nine chain, they are broken up by hills and mountains. 13 MAN-MADE FEATURES A network of canals crossed by bridges crisscrosses the city of Venice, which is surrounded by a shallow lagoon in the Adriatic Sea.

14 FURTHER READING Altman, Jack, and Jason Best. Discover Italy . Oxford, England: Berlitz, 1993. Cahill, Susan, ed. Desiring Italy . New York: Fawcett Columbia, 1997. Casserly, Jack. Once Upon a Time in Italy: The Vita Italiana of an American Journalist. Niwot, CO: Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1995. Web Sites Aeolian Islands | Tourist & Travel Information | Italy Heaven Residence Alberghiero Eolie, Lipari About the Aeolian Islands The Aeolian Islands (Isole Eolie or Isole Lipari in Italian) are seven small inhabited Italian islands off the northern shore of Sicily, close to the tip of Italy's toe. The islands are popular as a holiday destination, offering sunshine, beaches and natural beauty. As well as sunbathers, they also attract thrill-seekers; the archipelago was formed by volcanic activity and two of the islands are still active volcanoes.

While this fact may put some travellers off, many more are attracted to the dramatic scenery, hot mud baths, and the opportunity to hike up to the craters of Vulcano and Stromboli. The islands are grouped together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the Aeolian Islands are not particularly well-known to English-speaking tourists, they are wonderful places to spend a relaxed week or fortnight. In July and August Italian holiday-makers descend en-masse on these 'pearls of the Mediterranean'. But in May, June or September, you should enjoy fine weather and glorious views without the crowds. On my first visit I booked for four nights, and loved it so much on Lipari that I changed my flight to allow for more time and more boat trips to other islands. I wrote the notes for this page sitting by the little harbour in Lipari town with a glass of the sweet local wine Malvasia - served with biscotti - while the evening sunlight illuminated the little chapel beyond the fishing boats and local children played football. The islands really are places to come for a longer stay, to sightsee and unwind in lovely, unusual surroundings. The hardest thing is leaving. Which island? The most practical base is the island of Lipari .

This is the largest island with the most to offer - a pretty, reasonable-sized town with a choice of accommodation and the busiest port for hydrofoil and ferry connections. You can make daytrips to the other islands from here. Panarea is the most chic island, small and exclusive with prices to match. Stromboli is for thrill-seekers wanting to climb the volcano, though apart from the hike and a boat trip to see eruptions there isn't really that much to do. Vulcano has famous sulphurous-smelling mud baths, a gently fuming volcano and beaches. Salina is green and natural and a good destination for a quieter stay. Alicudi and Filicudi are the most remote; two extinct volcanoes emerging from the sea and feeling like the end of the world; transport on Alicudi is by donkey. In order to explore each of the islands thoroughly, you would really need to base yourself overnight on each. Ferry timetables and tourist excursions can leave you feeling rushed on day trips. Obviously, though, this wouldn't make for a very relaxing holiday, so most tourists prefer to choose one island base and pay short visits to the others.

Things to do You can't visit the Aeolian Islands without paying a trip to see the eruptions on Stromboli. If you don't fancy hiking up the volcano, you can catch an evening boat trip (setting off in the afternoon from other islands) to watch the volcano's fiery eruptions from the waters close to the Sciara del fuoco, a lava-scarred slope. Boat trips are the principal tourist activity on the islands and in the tourist season you'll be approached every five minutes by friendly touts and agencies offering tours. A cruise will typically tour the rocky coastline, point out interesting sights, drop you off for a wander around little island villages, give travellers a chance to swim from the boat and perhaps, if you're lucky, see dolphins. For those who enjoy island-hopping, the islands are connected by regular ferry services, although these are less scenic than the tourist cruises. Each of the islands has at least one picturesque village to explore, with plenty of photo-opportunities. The larger of the islands have local bus services to help you get around. As well as hidden bays and rocky shores, the islands have a few beaches, generally volcanic sand or pebbles.

Among the stones on the beaches, you may find pieces of shiny obsidian, a black volcanic glass-like rock which was used to fashion knives and tools in prehistory, and pumice stone - which floats on water and has a variety of uses including as an exfoliant. The presence of obsidian put the Aeolian Islands on early trading routes and several Bronze Age settlements have been discovered. The best discoveries from the islands, and from local shipwrecks, are displayed in an excellent archaeological museum in Lipari's old walled citadel - another 'must' for visitors to the islands. Important exhibits include Greek pottery dating from Lipari's time as a Greek colony, and a collection of miniature theatrical masks found in local burials. Although recreational walking is not particularly publicised locally, the landscape, sea views and old mule tracks make the islands appealing to walkers. On Vulcano and Stromboli you can follow popular routes to the top of the volcanoes' craters - on Stromboli you are required to hire a guide - which allow you to see lava eruptions on Stromboli and gas emissions on Vulcano.

These are demanding walks, and much of the hiking on the islands requires some determination since the islands originated as steep-sloped volcanoes. But although there aren't huge numbers of well-marked footpaths, you will find a variety of walks including less challenging strolls and rambles among flowers, butterflies and traces of the islands' past. Travel to the Aeolian Islands Travel to the Aeolian Islands involves a multi-stage journey, which can be time-consuming and dependent on sea conditions. For this reason I recommend the islands for a longer stay rather than a weekend break, and would advise allowing plenty of time for the journey to and from the airport. The islands are served by ferries and hydrofoils from a number of Italy's ports. There is no airport, but if you are feeling wealthy you can arrive by helicopter (see our links panel). The main port of departure for the Aeolian Islands is Milazzo, situated on the northern shore of Sicily. There are frequent fast ferry services from Milazzo, and this is the most convenient and reliable port to aim for. However, there are also services (more frequent in summer) from Palermo and Messina in Sicily and from Reggio di Calabria in mainland Italy.

During the summer tourist season, there are also occasional ferries from other local ports - these are often designed as day trips to the islands, but may be a feasible option for travellers wanting to stay longer. The nearest airports are Catania (BA flights from the UK), Palermo (Ryanair and Easyjet from London), Reggio Calabria and Lamezia Terme (Ryanair from London). The most straightforward way to reach the islands from the UK is to fly to Catania Airport, then take a direct bus link or private transfer to Milazzo port, where you can catch a ferry to Lipari and the other islands. The direct bus is run by Giuntabus and leaves from outside the airport. It's a fast and efficient service, but unfortunately it is seasonal with varying frequencies. Competitors sometimes operate on a less formal basis; you could try contacting your hotel to see if they can book an alternative for you. If the bus transfer times aren't convenient for your flight, the alternative is stay overnight in Catania, or to catch a bus from Catania Airport to Messina run by SAIS, which takes under two hours.

This stops at Messina railway station, right next to a bus stop for a Giuntabus service to Milazzo port, which takes 50 minutes. In Milazzo the buses stop on the road right by the port. Ferry offices selling tickets are on one side of the road; the jetty for catching fast boat services is the other side of the street. It is also possible to catch a train from Catania to Milazzo taking approximately 2-3 hours and changing in Messina. The drawback of rail travel is that you will need to use connecting buses or taxis to reach the airport in Catania, and the port in Milazzo. The two principal ferry companies providing ferry services to the islands are Siremar and Liberty Lines (previously Ustica Lines). These companies' websites, where you can find the latest timetables and prices, are listed in our links panel on the right. Most of the connections are by fast hydrofoils and catamarans but larger, slower ferries also ply the routes, and these carry cars as well as passengers. There are restrictions on bringing vehicles to the islands, and tourists will generally find it more convenient to leave cars behind on the mainland.

10 Best Places to Visit in Sicily – Touropia Travel Experts Last updated on November 3, 2016 in Italy Leave a Comment The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily lies at the toe of Italy’s “boot,” separated from the mainland by the narrow Strait of Messina. Home to Europe’s tallest active volcano, Sicily is a mountainous island with rugged landscapes tamed by centuries of cultivation and deforestation. The range of cultures that have dominated the island over its long history have left their mark as well, and while rumbling Mount Etna remains a strong tourist draw, many visitors come to Sicily to explore its diverse array of archeological wonders. The outlying Aeolian Islands are also popular places to visit in Sicily. With its unique cuisine, temperate climate and sandy beaches, a vacation in sunny Sicily is always memorable. Top Activities flickr/ girolame Monreale is a small town located near the city of Palermo, the capital of Sicily. The city sits atop a hill overlooking the Golden Shell, a valley known for its olive, orange and almond trees.

The city’s star attraction, however, is the magnificent Cathedral of Monreale, a stunning example of Norman architecture. Although the church has a rather unimpressive façade, the interiors are breathtaking. The Italian cloisters are famed for both their size and incredible detail, but it’s the mosaics covering the walls that make this cathedral so special. Almost every square inch of the interiors gleams spectacular mosaic images set against a gold background. 9Erice flickr/ neekoh.fi Situated on the summit of Mount Erice, the town of Erice overlooks the city of Trapani nearly a half mile below, making a visit to Erice worthwhile for the views alone. Reached by cable cars from Trapani, the historic city also offers visitors to Sicily a break from the hot summer sun as temperatures tend to be cool and crisp here year round. The town’s main attractions are two medieval castles, one built by Arabs, the other by Britons. The Norman castle was built atop an ancient Temple of Venus.

Where to Stay in Erice 8Doric Temple of Segesta Located in the northwestern part of Sicily, Segesta was one of the major cities of the Elymians, an indigenous population of Sicily who also founded Erice. The Doric temple that lies just outside the ancient site is well preserved. It was built in the late 5th century BC and has 6×14 Doric columns. Several things suggest that the temple was never actually finished. The Doric columns have not been fluted as they normally would have been and the temple also seems to have lacked a roof over the main chamber. The setting of the Temple, perched on a hill, is simply beautiful with views that stretch right down to the sea. 7Villa Romana del Casale wikipedia/ M. Disdero Located on the outskirts of the town of Piazza Armerina in southern central Sicily, the Villa Romana del Casale is one of the island’s must-see attractions. The 4th-century Roman villa features one of the largest and best-preserved collections of ancient mosaics in the world.

Each of the main rooms in the villa has a mosaic floor decorated in a specific theme, including a hedonistic mosaic in the main bedroom. The mosaic depicting the Olympic games is the most famous as it features the first image of women wearing what are known today as bikinis. 6Syracuse flickr/ Artnoir72 Also known as Siracusa, Syracuse was once considered the most important city of the ancient Western world. The 2,700-year-old city is mentioned in the Bible, in the writings of Cicero and in the myths and legends of many civilizations. The oldest part of Syracuse is situated offshore on the island of Ortiga and is filled with historic temples, churches and important archeological sites, including a necropolis that dates back from 1270 B.C. Theatrical productions are still staged at the 5th-centry Greek Theatre, which boasts one of the largest seating areas ever built by the ancient Greeks. flickr/ russelljsmith Sicily’s bustling capital city, Palermo has a history that dates back 2,700 years.

Founded by the Phoenicians, the city reached its cultural peak during its Arab occupation when Palermo was called the “city of delights” for its beautiful gardens and architecture. Today, the city is known more for its boisterous street markets than for its cultural attractions, although there are first-class museums and historic churches in Palermo well worth exploring. The top attraction is the Catacombe dei Cappuccini, an underground maze of open crypts beneath the Capuchin monastery. Some of the 8,000 mummified human remains are extraordinarily well-preserved but creepy. flickr/ blucolt Located off the northern shore of Sicily, the Aeolian Islands attract around 200,000 visitors each year. The seven islands that make up the archipelago are the result of volcanic and seismic activity, and climbing the active volcanoes on the islands of Stomboli and Vulcano attract adventurous travelers from around the world. Most visitors, however, come to the Aeolians for their picturesque white-washed villages and luxury resorts. With steaming fumaroles located on most of the isles, relaxing in a percolating pool of mud or lazing in bubbling thermal waters are popular activities as well.

3Taormina flickr/ Panegyrics of Granovetter Perched on a cliff near Mount Etna on the island’s eastern shoreline, Taormina has long been a popular place to visit in Sicily. Well-heeled travelers have been including the resort town on their itineraries since the 19th century. There are scenic beaches near the city to enjoy too, and as they’re only accessible by an aerial tramway, traveling to them is half the fun. The Teatro Greco is Taormina’s most popular attraction. While the architecture of the amphitheater is Roman, its layout indicates that it was built upon an older Greek theater. Although the original seats have been replaced, much of the 2nd-century theater remains intact. Where to Stay in Taormina 2Mount Etna One of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mount Etna stands around 3,300 meters (11,000 feet) tall, towering over the east coast of Sicily. Most of the volcano’s eruptions occur at the summit, continually adding to or subtracting from the mountain’s height. During the winter, visitors come to Etna to ski on its snowy slopes.

In warm-weather months, adventurous travelers make their way to Rifugio Sapienza, a popular departure point for climbs up the mountain. Accessible by private car, the ski station Piano Provenzana on Etna’s less active northern slopes has tour operators who drive visitors up to the Volcanic Observatory station or up to the main crater. 1Valley of the Temples The city of Agrigento on the southern coast of Sicily was a city of great importance in Ancient Greece, and it’s the archaeological remnants of its gloried past that make the town a popular travel destination. Just outside the city lies the Valley of the Temples where a series of 5th-century Doric temples stand on a ridge facing the sea. Of these, the temples attributed to the goddesses Concordia and Juno Lacinia in the eastern section are the best-preserved. The western section features the unfinished Temple of Zeus, the largest Doric temple ever unearthed. Top Activities Italy Holidays 2017 / 2018 | First Choice Pretty cliffside towns, famous Roman ruins and big plates of pasta – you’ll get a taste of it all on a holiday to Italy. The good life Italy.

It conjures up images of freshly baked pizzas, morning espressos and stylish locals zipping around on Vespas. But that’s not all. The ‘boot’ of Europe is in the premier league of holiday destinations, thanks to big-name sights and some of the most scenic towns and villages going. Campania Edging the southwest coast is the Campania region. It’s home to foodie favourite, Naples, and the smart clifftop town of Sorrento. It's also the gateway to the Amalfi Coast, where you'll find pastel-painted villages and Instagram-worthy scenery. And just offshore you’ve got the ever-popular islands of Capri and Ischia. Sicily Just off the toe of Italy’s boot lies Sicily. The island packs a lot in, from Baroque buildings and Roman ruins to golden beaches and rolling countryside. The holiday hotspot here is Giardini Naxos, with its sandy beach and waterfront bars and trattorias. Fifteen minutes up the road there’s the quaint seaside town of Letojanni. Sardinia Out in the Mediterranean Sea – just below Corsica – is the island of Sardinia.

Here, you’ll find Caribbean-style white-sand beaches, a culture-crammed capital, and the Spanish-influenced town of Alghero, AKA Little Barcelona. Places To Stay In Italy ► View all Average monthly temperature and rainfall for TEMPERATURE (°C)RAINFALL (mm) WHEN TO GO If you’re staying in the Campania region, the summer months are scorching – temperatures hit 28°C in July and August. In spring and autumn, the mercury hovers around the 18°C mark, and winter is still pretty mild, too – you won’t see the thermometer get lower than around 14°C. Over on Sardinia, summer starts early and ends late. Between April and October, temperatures rise from 15°C to 30°C and back again. The north of the island sometimes experiences strong winds – great for windsurfers. Sicily’s closeness to Africa means that summer temperatures swing between hot and scorching. April temperatures hover around the low 20s, and from May to September the mercury climbs to around 30°C. October to December are the wettest months, seeing a couple of inches falling each month.

There are occasional winter storms, too, but these are quite rare. Latest Deals Holidays to Italy 2017 / 2018 | Thomson Sicily This triangle-shaped island at the bottom of Italy’s boot is a constant travel award contender. In fact, Condé Nast Traveller readers voted it ‘The World’s Favourite Island’ in 2009. And it’s easy to see why this romantic slice of Italy has clocked up so many devotees over the years. Sardinia If you’ve never been to Sardinia before, you might expect the island to be a condensed carbon copy of the Italian mainland. But you’d be wrong. The differences start with the language. Sardinian or Sardo is as commonly spoken as Italian here. Alghero Area As Italy’s most westerly point, Alghero has strong ties with neighbouring Catalonia – the region of Spain that’s home to Barcelona. It spent several centuries under Catalan rule and, to this day, local residents still consider themselves more Catalan than Italian. They nickname the city Barcelonetta – AKA little Barcelona – and even speak the Catalan dialect.

Campania Campania, also known as the Neapolitan Riviera, is the second most populous region of Italy. And it’s easy to see why everyone wants a piece of the area’s pie. Its coastline curves around the sun-soaked bays of Sorrento and Naples on Italy’s southwest coast. Inland, meanwhile, you’ll find ancient ruins like Pompeii and natural wonders like Mount Vesuvius. Sardinia If you’ve never been to Sardinia before, you might expect the island to be a condensed carbon copy of the Italian mainland. But you’d be wrong. The differences start with the language. Sardinian or Sardo is as commonly spoken as Italian here. Alghero Area As Italy’s most westerly point, Alghero has strong ties with neighbouring Catalonia – the region of Spain that’s home to Barcelona. It spent several centuries under Catalan rule and, to this day, local residents still consider themselves more Catalan than Italian. They nickname the city Barcelonetta – AKA little Barcelona – and even speak the Catalan dialect. Luxury Sicily Holidays 2017 | Sovereign Luxury Sicily Holidays Mount Etna Sicily sits just beyond the toe of Italy's boot.

This triangular-shaped island is a place of contrasts, from the crumbling grandeur of its capital, Palermo, and the Greek ruins at the seaside town of Syracuse, to the chic boutiques of Taormina and the drama of Mount Etna, Europe's biggest volcano. It attracted waves of invaders and colonisers in the past, all of whom left their mark on the island - you'll spot Roman ruins, Norman churches and castles, Greek temples, and Arab and Byzantine domes. In the north-east of the island is the split-level resort town of Taormina. In the upper part of the town you'll find pretty piazzas, a great dining scene and a well-preserved Greek amphitheatre that hosts open-air concerts in the summer. Down by the sea, there's a pebbly beach, which you can reach by road, cable car or a steep flight of steps. Things to do in Sicily Peer inside Mount Etna's craters Fiery Mount Etna - one of the most active volcanoes in the world - is set in the middle of a national park.

You can hike around its foothills or take a 4x4 right up to the summit, where you can walk around its smoking craters and take in widescreen views across the island. Explore the Alcantara Gorges The Alcantara Gorges are located just north of Mount Etna, and were carved out of the rock by volcanic activity. A river runs along the bottom, and rock pools and waterfalls and dotted throughout the gorges. You can swim here, but brace yourself - the water can be pretty icy. Spend a day in Syracuse Historical Syracuse lies about an hour and a half south of Taormina. Tour the Greek and Roman ruins at the Archaeological Zone (highlights include a Greek theatre and Roman amphitheatre), then spend the afternoon exploring the UNESCO-listed peninsula of Ortigia, which is filled with Gothic palaces and medieval houses. Search for Sicily holidays...

Question: Which island lies at the toe of Italy?
Answer: Sicily