ITALY: Sicily by car

About the destination: Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is a city where layers of history, architecture, and culture overlap at every corner. Founded by the Phoenicians, shaped by the Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, it offers a unique mix you can see in its golden mosaics, baroque churches, and lively street markets. Wandering its streets, you’ll pass crumbling palazzi next to elegant theatres, hidden courtyards, and small shrines tucked into alley walls. It’s chaotic, noisy, and utterly captivating. Start in the historic center with the Norman Palace and its dazzling Palatine Chapel, where Byzantine mosaics shimmer in gold. From there, stroll to the Cathedral of Palermo, a masterpiece that blends Arab-Norman, Gothic, and Baroque elements in one structure. Explore the Quattro Canti crossroads and nearby Piazza Pretoria, famous for its dramatic fountain adorned with statues. Don’t miss the churches of La Martorana and San Cataldo, another perfect expression of Palermo’s Arab-Norman heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Palermo’s soul truly reveals itself in its markets. Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo overflow with fresh produce, seafood, and street food, accompanied by the singsong calls of vendors. Try local specialties like arancine (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (thick Sicilian pizza), and cannoli filled with sweet ricotta. In the evening, dine at a trattoria in the old town, then join locals for a passeggiata, a leisurely stroll along Via Maqueda or down to the seafront. Use Palermo as a base to discover the surrounding area: the seaside town of Mondello with its sandy beach, the dramatic cliffs of Monte Pellegrino, and the archaeological site of Segesta are all within easy reach. Whether you’re drawn by art and history, food and wine, or simply the pleasure of getting lost in atmospheric streets, Palermo offers an intense, authentic taste of Sicily that lingers long after you’ve left.

About the destination: Agrigento is charming city on the southern coast of Sicily. Agrigento is famous for its Temple Valley, the best preserved Greek ruins outside of Greece. The city has a beautiful old town centre and is a place of great historical and architectural importance. The Valley of the Temples is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world and in 1997 it was named a UNESCO World heritage site and is one of the most mesmerising sites in the Mediterranean. The temples, a dozen of them, erected in 5 BC, are located on the ridge to the south of the town. Back in town, explore the maze of tiny alleys, piazzas and side-streets, see the Norman Duomo of Saint Gerlando, the Church of Santa Maria dei Greci built on the steps of a Greek temple and the Church and Convent of Santo Spirito where you can taste almond sweets made by the local Cistercian cloister nuns. The wonderful Doric monuments, the cobalt-blue sky, the salubrious climate at the peerless view make Agrigento a desirable place were a long stay is delightful.

About the destination: Noto is a city and comune in the Province of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy. It is 32 kilometres (20 mi) southwest of the city of Syracuse at the foot of the Iblean Mountains. It lends its name to the surrounding area.

About the destination: The Metropolitan City of Catania is a metropolitan city in Sicily, southern Italy. Its capital is the city of Catania. It replaced the Province of Catania and comprises the city of Catania and other 57 municipalities (comuni). It was first created by the reform of local authorities (Law 142/1990) and then established by the regional law 15 August 2015. The metropolitan city borders with the Metropolitan City of Messina (the former Province of Messina), the Province of Enna, the Province of Syracuse, the Province of Ragusa and the Province of Caltanissetta. Part of its territory includes the Metropolitan area of Catania. The Metropolitan City faces the Ionian Sea to the east, the Metropolitan City of Messina to the north, the Province of Enna and the Province of Caltanissetta to the west, the Province of Siracusa and the Province of Ragusa to the south. Mount Etna, Europe's largest active volcano, is located in the province.

About the destination: Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, is a city where layers of history, architecture, and culture overlap at every corner. Founded by the Phoenicians, shaped by the Arabs, Normans, and Spanish, it offers a unique mix you can see in its golden mosaics, baroque churches, and lively street markets. Wandering its streets, you’ll pass crumbling palazzi next to elegant theatres, hidden courtyards, and small shrines tucked into alley walls. It’s chaotic, noisy, and utterly captivating. Start in the historic center with the Norman Palace and its dazzling Palatine Chapel, where Byzantine mosaics shimmer in gold. From there, stroll to the Cathedral of Palermo, a masterpiece that blends Arab-Norman, Gothic, and Baroque elements in one structure. Explore the Quattro Canti crossroads and nearby Piazza Pretoria, famous for its dramatic fountain adorned with statues. Don’t miss the churches of La Martorana and San Cataldo, another perfect expression of Palermo’s Arab-Norman heritage and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Palermo’s soul truly reveals itself in its markets. Ballarò, Vucciria, and Capo overflow with fresh produce, seafood, and street food, accompanied by the singsong calls of vendors. Try local specialties like arancine (fried rice balls), panelle (chickpea fritters), sfincione (thick Sicilian pizza), and cannoli filled with sweet ricotta. In the evening, dine at a trattoria in the old town, then join locals for a passeggiata, a leisurely stroll along Via Maqueda or down to the seafront. Use Palermo as a base to discover the surrounding area: the seaside town of Mondello with its sandy beach, the dramatic cliffs of Monte Pellegrino, and the archaeological site of Segesta are all within easy reach. Whether you’re drawn by art and history, food and wine, or simply the pleasure of getting lost in atmospheric streets, Palermo offers an intense, authentic taste of Sicily that lingers long after you’ve left.