Set on the east coast of Sicily, the Baroque city of Catania is the perfect springboard from which to discover the delights of this Mediterranean jewel. From blackened lava fields to soft sandy coves, Sicily boasts wonderfully contrasting landscapes. This idyllic isle is a patchwork of rolling plains, sweet-smelling citrus groves, precipitous cliffs and flower-filled meadows. Crowning the island is Sicily's most famous landmark, the smouldering summit of Mount Etna whose capricious nature is hinted at by the thin curl of smoke that rises from its peak. Like the scenery, Sicily's heritage is also incredibly varied. Its strategic mid-Mediterranean location made it the coveted prize of many an empire and centuries of invasion by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, French, Spanish and Italians left behind indelible marks on the island's cultural landscape. Evocative ruins dating back to antiquity mingle with lush sub-tropical vegetation while fortress-like Norman cathedrals and honey-hued Baroque towns gaze out across gently-lapping turquoise seas.
