| In Sicily, there lies the perfect antidote to the overcast | | | | be done on the main Corso Umberto and an |
| skies and disappointing temperatures of more recent | | | | abundance of stunning beaches reachable by cable |
| British summers. Although Sicily gained infamy for | | | | car or via the regular shuttle buses that run from the |
| giving birth to the Mafia crime family, the majority of its | | | | hotels. Activies in the area include everything from |
| inhabitants rely on agriculture to survive and is what | | | | tennis to scuba diving and boasts the spectacular |
| draws so many visitors to this beatific Italian isle. As a | | | | Picciolo Golf Club. |
| result of the abundant olive, lemon and orange groves, | | | | Just up from Catania is the small medieval town of |
| the air is filled with scent and colour, which acts as a | | | | Castelmola. The vistas from here are utterly |
| tonic to the senses and a taste sensation when put to | | | | breath-taking and its winding, narrow streets and |
| good use in the delicious local cuisine. Sea food dishes | | | | interesting architecture charming. In Castelmola there is |
| made with freshly caught fish and sweet pastries such | | | | the opportunity to sample the town´s famous |
| as cannolis are traditional here and are mouth-watering | | | | almond-wine and admire works of embroidery, while in |
| treats to savour while basking in the fabulous Sicily | | | | the process of wiling away an unhurried afternoon. |
| weather. | | | | Those who suffer from skin complaints, arthritis or |
| For those travelling to the east coast of the island and | | | | respiratory problems or who just want a chance to |
| coming into Catania Airport, there are a wealth of | | | | pamper themselves, should visit the Ali Terme a |
| places to visit and experiences to enjoy all the way | | | | collection of mud and water springs rich in sulphur, boric |
| along, although Catania itself is worth a look around. | | | | acid and sodium bromide among other things. Situated |
| Flights to Catania leave from Gatwick Airport and | | | | 16 miles north of Taormina these hydrothermal spas |
| direct routes are offered by British Airways, Thomson | | | | are an ideal for helping resolve any residue aches, |
| Flights and Air Malta. Usually people bypass this ancient | | | | pains and stress. |
| city and use it merely as an entry point, which is a | | | | No trip to this region would be complete though without |
| shame as Catania is home to an impressive array of | | | | a trip to Mount Etna. This still very much alive and |
| historical treasures. Examples of its varying lineage are | | | | kicking volcano is one of life´s greatest natural |
| evident from the Baroque stylings of the Catania | | | | attractions and its awesome power is tangible. The |
| Duomo (cathedral), Church of St Benedict and | | | | landscape looks like nothing most people will ever have |
| countless palaces through to the ruins of Roman | | | | seen before and traversing the lava fields and craters |
| thermal baths, aqueducts and burial mounts, as well as | | | | is said to feel akin to walking on the moon (with the |
| a Greek acropolis and Greek-Roman amphitheatre. | | | | added bonus of gravity). Despite the fact that it is a |
| Most people journeying to the region opt to car hire at | | | | volcano, the temperatures actually get incredibly low |
| Catania Airport as this allows them the freedom to | | | | higher up, so it is advisable to wear warm and |
| take in the whole region and set their own itinerary. A | | | | waterproof clothes as well as comfortable shoes for |
| 45 minute drive north is Taormina, a picture perfect | | | | hiking. There are cable cars to take people to the top |
| hillside town which offers some of the most | | | | or alternatively companies run 4 by 4 excursions to |
| memorable views down over Ionia Sea and out to | | | | the summit. Close by are the Alcantara Gorges, |
| Mount Etna. It is everything and more that a typical | | | | caused by an ancient eruption which created a visually |
| Italian town should be and provides the ideal mixture of | | | | stunning corridor through which the river and a series |
| old world charm and new world convenience. There | | | | of waterfalls and rapids flow. Visitors can cool down in |
| are plenty of sites to see here, such as the Palazzo | | | | the water or pay 3 euros to take an elevator up to a |
| Duca di S. Stefano and Arabian necropolis, shopping to | | | | special view point called the Gole dell´Alcantara. |