We recently spent two weeks touring the island of Sicily.  We started at Mondello – which is about 15 minutes outside of Palermo.  A quiet place with a lovely beach and I imagine a very popular spot for city people come the weekend!

Palermo is amazing.  I just loved it.  We only spent a day looking round but we had some of the highlights of our holiday on that day.  We visited the Capuchin Catacombs (no photos allowed – this article shows more if you want more info:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/picturegalleries/8296522/Ghoulish-mummies-in-the-Capuchin-Catacombs-in-Palermo-Sicily.html?image=17

I must admit I hesitated before going down to see this – I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it becoming an attraction and almost felt a little bit as though i was being disrespectful.  As it happens the experience was nothing like that. It’s actually quite a fascinating glimpse into the period really.

I’m not sure I’d advise driving round Palermo – unless you want to add that to your ‘experience’ list!  We took a tuk tuk ride (which is a scenic taxi) – and my, what a brilliant experience – I would definitely recommend this.

The following day we spent time in Monreale and this is a picture of the cloisters.  Each of the columns are carved with intricate figures – everything you can think of, even mythical winged things!

The Cloisters at Monreale

We then headed to Sciacca for a couple of days after which paying a visit to Selinunte on our way to Syracuse and Ortiga.  Ortiga is a beautiful place.  We’ve been before and so only spent a couple of days but really I could have spent a full week.  There is such a lot to do and see.  We took a tour of the hypogea – which was fascinating.  If memory serves this used to hold 10,000 bodies – obviously now removed (second only to the Hypogea in Rome according to the guide)!  Below is a picture of the tunnels that lie beneath the Duomo – used for air raid shelters during WWII and lined with information and pictures.

The harbour front at Sciacca of an evening

This is the Temple of Hera at Selinunte

The entrance to the tunnels under the Duomo, Ortiga

This is Taormina – our hotel was opposite this beautiful spot quite rightly named Isolla Bella.  We had three very relaxing days here.

View of Isola Bella

The Greek theatre at Taormina

Then off to Milazzo for a whistlestop visit before arriving in Cefalu.  We’ve spent two weeks in Cefalu on a previous holiday.  It’s a wonderful spot to visit and I would highly recommend it.  It’s perfectly situated to visit other places and it’s a historic town and seaside resort.

Beautiful Cefalu – setting for more than one famous Italian film!

Gin Fizz – it would be rude not to!

Our final stop was Castellammare del Golfo which was our final 3 days and literally just a chill out.  We had a lovely room overlooking the harbour.  The weather was scorching and so we basically sat around doing as little as possible!

Took this because it looks like something out of a dystopian novel! (which my husband thought was hilarious!)

Verdict: I would recommend Sicily very strongly.  It’s packed with things to see and do.  It’s cram packed with history and amazing sights to see.  We’ve spent four weeks there now during two different holidays and yet I still only feel I’ve scratched the surface!

If you get the chance – go.  Amazing people, fantastic food and drink, breathtaking scenery, historical wonders.  An island of passion and adventure and absolutely fascinating.