Sicily

"'Sicily,' said Goethe, 'is the key to everything.' The birthplace of Archimedes, Georgio de Chirico, and Muhammad al-Id... (more)

"'Sicily,' said Goethe, 'is the key to everything.' The birthplace of Archimedes, Georgio de Chirico, and Muhammad al-Idrisi, it is the largest island in the Mediterranean. The stepping-stone between Europe and Africa, the gateway between the East and the West, the link between the Latin world and the Greek, at once a stronghold, clearing-house and observation-point, it has been fought over and occupied in turn by all the great powers that have striven over the centuries to extend their dominion across the Middle Sea. John Julius Norwich offers a vivid, erudite, page-turning account of an island and the remarkable kings, queens, and tyrants who fought to rule it. From its beginnings as a feared Greek city-state to its rise as a wealthy, multicultural trading hub during the Crusades, to its rebellion against Italian unification and the rise of the Mafia, the story of Sicily is rich with extraordinary moments and dramatic characters. Norwich outlines the surprising influence Sicily has had on world history--the Roman fascination with Greek culture dates back to their sack of Sicily--and tells the story of one of the world's most kaleidoscopic cultures in a galvanizing, contemporary way"-- (less)

Packed with detailed, opinionated and honest reviews, this guide gives you the lowdown on what's worth your time and wha... (more)

Packed with detailed, opinionated and honest reviews, this guide gives you the lowdown on what's worth your time and what's not, providing extensive listings of accommodation, attractions and restaurants around Sicily's cities and towns whatever your budget. The destination is broken down by thoughtful chapter sections with itineraries and accompanying maps to help you to plan your way while you stay, according to your timeframe. (less)

The Messina Strait, the famous Greek theatre of Taormina, the archeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, the marvelou... (more)

The Messina Strait, the famous Greek theatre of Taormina, the archeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, the marvelous Catania, the unique monastery and temple of Monreale, the picturesque Cefalu and Ragusa are all worth taking a look on the largest island of the Mediterranean Sea. Romantic Sicily, an island very rich in monuments and natural beauties, enchants every visitor. Includes: Palermo; Mondello; Monreale; Citta del Mare; Segesta; Erice; Selinunte; and more. (less)

Little has been produced about the cultural or historic relevance of Sicily. The most invaded place on the planet, the t... (more)

Little has been produced about the cultural or historic relevance of Sicily. The most invaded place on the planet, the three-sided island rivals Greece and Egypt as a primary source for Western ideas. Sicily: Land of Love and Strife takes the viewer to a place more fascinating and more diverse than any other Italian region. This journey demonstrates that fewer places on the planet compare to Sicily for a story of spectacular beauty, epic human struggle, depth and diversity of culture, philosophic insights, and historic sites. Because of the island's great natural abundance and its strategic location in the Mediterranean-at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and Asia-ownership of this rugged and fertile terrain has been contested for millennia. But except for its crime, Sicily has gone unexplored. The island's association with the Mafia, so deeply entrenched in popular consciousness, has obscured a more rounded and accurate depiction of its history and culture. (less)