Neapolitan Riviera - Intro - Thomson Small & Friendly May 2012

TOP 3 ThINGS TO SEE & DO SICIly Whether you're picking a path through ancient ruins, eating spaghetti in a candlelit trattoria or picnicking in a field of orange trees, Sicily offers up a snapshot of `la dolce vita'. 1. Palermo Sicily's capital is steeped with history. San Giovanni degli Eremiti is one of the must-sees. With its Moorish arches and mosque-like domed roof, it's a reminder of Sicily's Arab days. Next up is Palermo Cathedral. To get an idea of what it looks like, imagine the dome of St Paul's and Big Ben's clock tower put together and combined with Gothic, Arab, Norman and Baroque flourishes. It may be small, but Sicily is perfectly formed. Medieval villages, Roman ruins and sprawling countryside make up the island's interiors, while vineyards, olive groves and lemon trees march down to the coastline. Then there's Mount Etna to think about. Sicily's resident volcano is the tallest in Europe and, at 10,890 feet, it towers over the cities below. As for where to stay, Taormina is the Italy you see on postcards. Its sand-coloured buildings are hidden behind vines and flowers that spill over balconies. And, at its centre, a Greek amphitheatre overlooks the beach. Down the road from Taormina is Giardini Naxos, which is a favourite with families. Cefalu is another big-hitter. If it looks familiar, it's because it had a starring role in the Oscar-winning Eighties favourite `Cinema Paradiso'. It flaunts a maze of backstreets and Greek ruins, like the Temple of Diana, so it's little wonder director, Giuseppe Tornatore, chose this for his setting. T 2. Erice Perched on a mountain top above Trapani, Erice hasn't aged over the years. The alleyways are cobbled, the parkland is dense, and the castles have turrets that soar skywards. Sit in the main square and you'll be transported back to the days of knights and jesters. The journey up to the village is worth the effort, not least for the view over the Trapani salt flats. his triangle-shaped island at the bottom of Italy's boot is a constant travel award contender. In fact, Cond� Nast Traveller readers voted it `The World's Favourite Island' in 2009. And it's easy to see why this romantic slice of Italy has clocked up so many devotees over the years. 3. Taormina If there was an award for the prettiest spot in Sicily, Taormina would win hands down. In fact, it could be a contender for the best-looking town in Italy. For starters, it's set on top of Mount Tauro, overlooking two sweeping bays. Founded in 358 BC, so it houses some of Sicily's best preserved landmarks. Click on thomson.co.uk Video tours, more photos, customer reviews and room upgrades online FASTFACTS DESTINATION AIRPORT APPROxIMATE FlIGhT TIME KEy RESORTS Catania 3 hours from Gatwick Cefalu, Taormina, Giardini Naxos Visit your travel shop | Call 0871 230 2555 | Click on thomson.co.uk 162 Sicily Calls cost 10p per minute plus network extras. The cost of calls was correct at the time of publication. See page 3.