Situated on the north eastern tip of Sicily, so close to the Italian mainland you can almost touch it, Messina is the busy main entry point to the island. The city was flattened by an earthquake in 1908, and again by Allied bombing in 1943, so few historical sights remain, although the cathedral is one of Sicily’s most impressive.

Founded by Greek colonists in 734 BC, Siracusa was once the largest city in the ancient world, surpassing even Athens in its splendour. Highlights include the island of Ortigia, where narrow streets are lined by beautiful Baroque architecture, and the impressive ruins at the Parco Archeologico della Neapolis on the Sicilian mainland.

Porto Empedocle, on the south west coast of Sicily, is the gateway to Agrigento and the UNESCO-listed Valley of the Temples. The temples are all that is left of the city of Akragas, one of the most impressive Ancient Greek sites outside of Greece itself.

Palermo is an acquired taste; noisy, chaotic and rather grimey in places. But there’s something quite intoxicating about the crumbling facades and the bustling markets, and the Arabesque style of many of the buildings hints at Sicily’s historical role as a stepping stone between Europe and North Africa.

The captivating island of Capri has much to offer, from the ruins of Roman villas to gorgeous private residences surrounded by flower-filled gardens. You might also want to explore the famous Blue Grotto, with its intense azure interior and ethereal silvery light.