Awe-inspiring vistas combined with fascinating architectural remains and ancient history – all this waits for you on a lovely Italy tour package to Sicily.

Sicily is off the western coast of Italy’s south – near the toe of Italy’s boot. Sicily’s strategic location in the Mediterranean sea has made it a target of invaders since its early history. This makes visiting Sicily a holiday experience of the unique legacy of the Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Normans, crusading Knights of St. John, the Bourbons, and the Ottoman Turks, all who have laid claim to this strategic island during its turbulent and long history. Among all of the attackers there’s the Sicilian people themselves who’ve successfully practised their right to self determination despite all of the external forces who have paraded through their lovely island.

On a Sicily trip you’ll see a novel island that has integrated the best pieces of its invader’s cultures to form the Sicilian culture. And SIcily’s rich history has left it with artistic and architectural gems that add to the island’s beauty.

The traditional Greeks built the town of Siracusa, a traditional Greek stronghold, and it was considered the loveliest of all towns in the Mediterranean. Around Sicily the traditional Greeks left their temples which are today considered the finest examples of Doric Temples in the world. In Siracusa you may visit Paradise Quarry and walk around to see why this city was considered the most pretty of all classical Greek cities. Check out the Neapolis Parco Archeologico, highlighted by a 15,000-seat, rock-hewn amphitheater where the works of Greek playwrights were once staged. Discover Latomia del Paradiso to see what you hear through the Ear of Dionysius; meander around Ortigia, and do not miss the Doric Temple of Apollo.

A short distance from Siracusa is Taormina, a terraced city adhering to high cliffs on the eastern coast of Sicily, with Mt. Etna towering in the distance. Check out the Teatro Greco, The Greek Theater, featuring both Greek and Roman elements, and walk the Corso Umberto, Old City Taormina’s beautiful main pedestrian street covered with pasticcerie and caffes.

another favorite destination in Sicily is Agrigento renowned for its Greek Temples, which may be found in the Valley of Temples.

In Segesta you can take in the half finished temple surrounded by 36 giant Doric columns, which was started in 426 BC and is outstandingly preserved. Continue on to the longstanding walled city of Erice, the mythological seat of the Roman goddess Venus, where you’ll see the Norman Castello di Venere. Then visit nearby Trapani.

In Palermo, the Sicilian capital, experience what was once considered among Europe’s grandest towns. Here you’ll visit the Cathedral with its mix of architectural styles, the Palazzo dei Normani, Fontana Pretoria and Porto Nuovo.

Other Sicily high points include visiting Cefalu to visit the Cathedral and fishermen’s quarter, Monreale to see the mosaics and Cathderal, Marsala to taste the famous white wine, and Ragusa to see the famous baroque buildings and churches.

All of these places may be enjoyed during a Sicily tour.

Justin Del Sesto is an established Italy travel guide and the founder and the owner of Italian Tourism and ItalyCruise.us, a family-managed Italy travel bureau concentrated on Italy tours and Mediterranean Italy cruises. On the internet sites you’ll find options for Sicily tours so you can find the best value Sicily vacation package, one of Italy’s top sight-seeing destinations. He is also the founder and executive of WebVisionItaly.com the only Internet television network about Italy.

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