In the surroundings of Trapani we can find Segesta, with its Greek Temple and Amphitheatre, and next to it Selinunte, where the remains of Temples, Fortifications and Acropolis can still be distinguished. A few kilometres away from Trapani, is the city of Agrigento, which the Pelagie islands are part of.

The Valley of Temples is also to be visited. It is an Archaeological site from Greater Greece, which has been recognised as World Heritage by Unesco, which is made up of , Necropolis, Sanctuaries and seven Temples.

Not far away is the thermal and seaside resort of Sciacca, which is particularly active in the zootechnical sector and in the production of excellent oils and wines and that of ceramics. It is also well-known for its traditional Carnival feast, the origins of which date back to the 1600s.

Syracuse, the city loved by Pindarus in the distant 400 BC, has also been appointed as World Heritage, and it stretches out towards the sea with its island of Ortigia, which separates the two ports of the city: Porto Grande and Porto Piccolo. Ortigia is the real old town centre of the city, and it represents all of the epochs this town has lived through, up to our days.

The beauties that can be admired here are many: Roman and Greek sites such as the Archaeological Park with the Greek Theatre, where every year in May a Greek tragedy is represented, Apollo's temple, the Roman Amphitheatre, the Maniace Castle, ancient fortress of the 1000s which was later turned into a castle by Frederic II of Hohenstaufen and the baroque Cathedral, that was built on a Dorian temple (dated 500 BC) in honour of the Goddess Athena.

In the South-East of Sicily, after Siracusa, we find some very well-known towns, such as Noto, Modica and Ragusa, which stretches on the slopes of the Iblei mountains. The original town, the splendid city of Ragusa Iblea, which had a Medieval and Baroque structure, nowadays counts few inhabitants, and this has allowed it to preserve a surreal atmosphere that can be sensed along its streets, immersed in masterpieces of the Baroque architecture. The Ragusan coast, belonging to Ragusa Iblea, is one of the most equipped seaside resorts in this part of Sicily. The Syracusan and Ragusan area offers vast parts of fertile land, which are active in the production of biological vegetables, citrus plantations, almond and olive trees, as well as vines.

We remind you not to leave without having tasted every local dish.

From the typical almond biscuits, to chocolate cakes and every sort of typical Sicilian biscuits, water-ices with cream, lemon and orange based sweets to stuffed rice croquets, delicious vegetables prepared in every way- stuffed, grilled and stewed-and fresh fish accompanied by local white wines.

Street markets are still the places where Sicilians do their grocery shopping, with the certainty of always finding fresh foods.

The practicability of streets is still not perfectly structured: you can still find ordinary roads, as opposed to motorways, and it is therefore necessary to take the day as it comes, and to enjoy the beautiful sites which you will frequently find along your itineraries.

There are two airports: Catania e Palermo, to which you can book low-cost flights.

For internal transfers, if you do not want to drive, I suggest you use the Bus service, which is well organised and does not undergo departure delays.

A special thanks goes to Nico Bastone, a Sicilian artist of photography, who has allowed me to use his pictures with the hope that you may be able to immortalise the daily aspects, and not only the tourist aspects, of this magnificent land.

Our regards also go to Engineer Lo Bianco, a man who is deeply attached to his land and whom, at the solemn age of 81, still manages with great faith a vast agro-biological farm in the area of Syracuse, who's products reach all of your homes.

A thank-you also goes to the management of Jonio Yachting, a marine fleet that I recommend to you, based in Trapani, Portorosa and Syracuse - a very reliable and competent team