The Italian island of Sicily is the largest Mediterranean island and is rich in both cultural history and geographical splendour.

Boasting the well-preserved ruins of seven monumental, Doric-style Greek temples, Byzantine mosaics and the imposing stature of Mount Etna, one of Europe’s highest active volcanoes, a trip to Sicily can easily be mistaken for a trip back in time to the ancient empires of the Romans and the Greeks.

The earliest archaeological evidence of human activity on the island of Sicily dates back to 12,000 BC. Sicily was later colonised by the Phoenicians and the Greeks and was fought over for many hundreds of years, right through the reign of the Roman Empire. The remains of Sicily’s past are still evident today, with several significant archaeological sites such as the Necropolis of Pantalica and the Valley of the Temples.

Charter itineraries to Sicily typically start at the large port of Palermo on the island’s north coast, or at the port of Catania to the east.  On the eastern coast near Mount Etna, the hilltop town of Taormina is one of the most well-known with its ‘Teatro Antico di Taormina’, an ancient Greco-­Roman theatre which is set at the cliffside overlooking the sea.

At the south-eastern corner, Syracuse is a popular spot with superyachts for a night’s berthing. Syracuse has a timeless beauty and although the archaeological sites are a big attraction, the wide promenade lined with family-owned restaurants in buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as local markets selling fresh produce and Sicilian delicacies, are just as much of a draw.

Sicily benefits from exceptionally fertile volcanic soil, enabling it to become the third largest wine producer in Italy.  For Sicily’s greatest vineyards, head to the north-western coast and the Marsala region.