Sicily Hotels Italy

Sicily Sicily is one of Italy’s 20 autonomous regions, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. The minor islands around it, such as the Aeolian Islands are part of Sicily. Roughly triangular in shape, Sicily is separated to the east from the Italian Region of Calabria through the Straits of Messina, a distance of about 3km in the north of the Strait and 16km in the south. The island of Sicily has a mountainous landscape, with the main mountain ranges being the Madonie and Nebrodi in the north, and Peloritani in the north east, whereas the southeastern Hyblaean are geologically a continuation of the Italian Appenines. In the northern region active volcano Mount Etna with its lush slopes and woodlands does dominate, and at almost 3350m is Sicily’s highest mountain.

Over on the Tyrrhenian Sea side are the Aeolian Islands with their exceptional beaches (and the active volcano Stromboli). In the west is the Val di Mazara containing the most magnificent ancient Greek Temples of Sicily, including the temples of Segesta, set on a hill, Agrigento’s on a plain among olive trees and Selinunte’s overlooking a coastal plain. Palermo is Sicily’s regional capital and largest jewel – with largely Baroque but some medieval architecture, is worth a visit, especially as it’s near to the amazing Monreale.

Taormina, built on a mountaintop overlooking the Ionian sea, is a favourite place to stay on the eastern side of the island, with a panoramic view of Etna, and a good base for exploraing the island and beaches.