Been there – got the T-shirt.

SICILY

The island of Sicily is the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, and home to around five million people. It lies off the ‘boot’ of Italy, about three miles from the mainland separated by the Strait of Messina.

Messina is the island’s third largest city, behind Palermo, the capital, and Catania. It is also a popular calling port for many cruise companies, with the Golden Statue of the Madonna sitting at Messina’s harbour entrance as cruise ships pass on their arrival on the island.

Perhaps the island’s most famous icon is the impressive Mount Etna. At 11,000 feet, Etna is both one of tallest volcanos in Europe and one of the continent’s most active. Its snow-covered peak can easily be seen on arriving by cruise ship.

For us the island’s stand-out place to visit, particularly if time is limited, is the beautiful old town of Taormina, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea. Its main street is Via Roma with quaint, narrow streets to either side and its cathedral, Duomo di Taormina, sits proudly at its centre. A stroll in this town will not disappoint but, be warned, it can be crowded, particularly at the height of the season!