The cultural treasures of Sicily are unsurpassed. For 3,000 years, wave after wave of new cultures, new ideas, and new artistic techniques have swept over this beautiful island leaving in their wake great cities, captivating villages, sublime temples and extraordinary works of art.

PALERMO
Capital of Sicily and one of Europe's most visually stunning cities. Palermo was founded by Phoenicians and became an important Carthaginian stronghold, followed by Romans, Saracens and Normans. The city is graced with gardens, villas, palaces and churches in a variety of architectural styles.

TERMINI The "Alta Cita" (Upper City) is an attractive local resort with a large cathedral. The lower city, once an important Roman spa town, still attracts visitors to her mineral springs and sandy beaches.

CEFALI is a bustling tourist resort built around the original picturesque fishing village that juts into the sea under the shadow of the rocky promontory. The town is dominated by a mighty Norman cathedral begun by King Roger in 1131 for deliverance from a shipwreck and remains one of the best preserved examples of its type. The harbor is somewhat remote from the town but is well worth a walk to see the old fishing village. Time permitting, take a side trip along the island's north coast stopping at CAMASTRA, a village known for its colorful ceramics and TINDARI, a Greek colony founded in 396 B.C.

MESSINA
The first impression of MESSINA is that of a flat city with few skyscrapers -- a curious result of the numerous earthquakes which have blighted the city. While transiting the Straits of Messina, look for Sicilian swordfish boats with their long bow planks scouring the waters for their catch.

TAORMINA / GIARDINI-NAXOS
GIARDINI-NAXOS is a thriving tourist resort -- a sort of hotel suburb of TAORMINA. Although the hotels are modern, the site is the oldest Greek settlement on Sicily. On the lava flow of Capo Schiso, the original site of Naxos has been excavated and finds are exhibited in the old Bourbon fort nearby. TAORMINA is claimed to be the most beautiful place in Sicily situated on a terrace high above the Ionian Sea and in the background the majestic cone of Mount Etna. It is an ideal place for a shopping excursion. Non-shoppers can visit one of the largest Greek theatres in Sicily, renowned for its excellent acoustics and fantastic views over the East Coast of Sicily.

SIRACUSA is a fascinating ancient city which rivaled Athens and was eventually defeated by Romans. Once home of Archimedes, SIRACUSA was the largest fortified city in the Greek world.