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We didn't have much idea what to expect in a trip to Sicily. But we had an interest in the island's rich history, a kind of capsule of all the various colonisations, kingdoms and invasions which have taken place across the Mediterranean and across the past 26+ centuries. The weather was rather rainy at the outset of our trip, but later became just what we might have hoped for.

Siracusa, Ortigia

31 photos in 3 sub-albums

Siracusa (Syracuse) is famed as an important 4th century BCE Greek colony which, over the succeeding centuries was lauded by Cicero, Livy, Plato and Archimedes. Ortigia is an island (or nearly so) barely attached to the main coastal city of Siracusa to which it is actually a district. The city is also not far from another gem, the baroque town of Noto.

Taormina

32 photos in 2 sub-albums

In the 1950s this town hosted many luminary visitors from the "jet set". Movie stars (Orson Wells, Greta Garbo, Rita Hayworth), writers (Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams both wrote their most famous works here) and other important figure of the day arrived to enjoy the International Film Festival. But for us the attractions of the town were the medieval buildings and narrow streets, as well as the astonishing Teatro Greco.

Aeolian Islands

15 photos in 2 sub-albums

This small volcanic archipelago at the northern tip of Sicily has several islands and is popular with swimmers, divers, and boaters. For us, though, it was relaxing to just wander around the two islands which we visited.

Cefalù

10 photos

After leaving the islands we took a train to Palermo stopping for the day at this pleasant and historical seaside town.

Palermo

55 photos in 2 sub-albums

Palermo is a city of contrasts, primarily economic. Rich and poor sections of the city are often adjacent to each other, and splendid palaces or churches were sometimes located in some of the more gritty districts. It's a lively city, though, and was fascinating to wander through its neighbourhoods.

Agrigento

37 photos

This southern coastal city was the last stop on our tour of Sicily, and one we greatly anticipated since it includes one of the most impressive temple complexes (primarily classical Greek, but also some Roman) we have seen anywhere in the Mediterranean.