Sicily

Sicily is the island off the toe of Italy in Europe; Sicily has the biggest surface area of all the Italian regions and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea including several smaller islands. Sicily is divided into nine different provinces which are Agrigento, Caltanissetta, Catania, Enna, Messina, Palermo, Ragusa, Syracuse and Trapani. There are several smaller islands surrounding Sicily including Aeolian Islands, the Aegadian Islands, Pantelleria, Ustica and the Pelagian Islands. Holidays in Sicily are rich in culture, the arts, cuisine and architecture and all these things must be explored to truly appreciate this beautiful island, so find your ideal Sicily holidays at travel.co.uk and let the adventure begin today.

Getting there and getting around

At travel.co.uk you can find a wide range of package holidays to Sicily. Palermo Airport is the most convenient Sicilian airport for UK travellers, it is around 30 miles to the west of the city and you can find low-cost flights from London Stansted with low cost carriers such as Ryanair. Flights to Palermo's airport takes approximately 2-3 hours.

Things to do

Holidays to Sicily are an admired choice for those who are after a strong culture and interesting history, Sicily is also important when it comes to archaeological and ancient sites, Sicily holds amazing Romanesque cathedrals and amphitheatres, Greek temples and magnificent Baroque palaces, a great one is the Necropolis of Pantalica. There are many different holiday resorts and towns within Sicily such as the stylish beach resorts of Taormina, Cefalu and Mazzaro and more fantastic beach spots can be found along the east and northwest coastlines. The capital city of Palermo, is an excellent stay, with fantastic architecture to see such as the 12th century mediaeval cathedral, Catania also features some of the most exquisite architecture in the world. If you want to see the wonderful lush mountains, then the village of Castelmola is ideal and there are plenty of opportunities for walks and treks. Also nature lovers will enjoy a stay near Mount Etna which is the only volcano on mainland Sicily, standing at the enormous height of 3,320 meters which makes it the tallest in Europe. And of course there are the wonderful beaches to enjoy; there are plenty of opportunities for those after some beach fun, including water sports and diving. For a day of shopping try Siracusa which was described by Cicero as the greatest and most beautiful city of all Ancient Greece.

Food and drink

Sicily has the nick named of "God's Kitchen" when it comes to the cuisine and wine, with a wide range of charming bistros and authentic restaurants there is something for everyone. Local ingredients are full and rich in taste whilst still affordable; the regions produce makes healthy fresh fruits and vegetables widely available, as well as the wonderful locally caught seafood and fresh meat dishes. Cannoli is a well known Sicilian dish and on your visit you should include a trip to one of the local vineyards for some well earned wine-tasting. The liveliest entertainment can be found at Palermo and Mondello. A good night spot for the family is the resort of Giardini Naxos, which has a great party atmosphere and a large assortment of bars and clubs keeping people entertained throughout the night.