Archive for 'Big Cities'

On the Northeast coast of Sicily, on the narrow strait of Messina between the island and mainland Italy lies the stunning city of Messina! Known as ‘The Door of Sicily’, visitors would thoroughly enjoy a relaxing stay at a holiday villa in the Taormina area, along the east coast of Sicily where they can base their exploration of the north eastern city of Messina.

Ferries transport visitors between the narrow stretch of water between Sicily and Reggio Calabria in the region of Calabria frequently and so is a busy place, full of life and excitement!

Those with a love of outdoor sports such as surfing, canoeing and hiking will certainly love it here! Take a day to sail out to the Aeolian archipelago, a collection of pretty little islands waiting to be explored. Stop off at Vulcan island to immerse yourself in natural thermal pools of hot mud and saltwater which are excellent for treating many aggravating skin conditions! There are many hiking trails set up through the islands that offer breathtaking views, no matter where you turn your head!

On the east coast of Sicily lies the splendid city of Catania, the second largest on the island of Sicily. It has had an unfortunate history of violent earthquakes over the centuries that have forced its inhabitants to rebuild from scratch many times!

It has also been plagued by volcanic eruptions from the tallest volcanic in Europe that stands over it called Mount Etna! The worst one occurred in 1669 when the city was practically buried under a sea of molten lava and ash. Catania has been buried a record seventeen times under the outpouring of Mount Etna’s eruptions since the beginning of recorded history!

Catania has been uniquely rebuilt using hardened lava as the building material. This had lead to the nickname ’The Grey City’ because of all the new buildings that have been built from the extrusive igneous rock. Many would wonder why anyone would choose to live here, but if you come to visit, you’ll soon find out!

Visit the stunning capital of Sicily called Palermo! This beautiful coastal metropolis is over 3000 years old and is a major advocate of history, culture, architecture and gastronomy! It’s located in the northwest of Sicily in the gulf of Palermo, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea.

The urban area within and surrounding Palermo is the 5th most populated in Italy. Tourists have a great choice of holiday rentals in Palermo to choose from where they can relax after busy days of exploring this exciting place!

Palermo is a very catholic city. One of the biggest events is the feast day of the city’s Patron saint called St. Rosalia every year on July 15th. Witness the colourful processions and festivities that take place at this exciting time of year. Sounds of jolly music fill the air, smells rise up from delicious street food and the sights to be seen of people laughing and chatting together is truly a heartwarming experience!

The beautiful city of Naples is the third largest in Italy and capital of the Campania region. Around four million people live in the city’s metropolitan area which lies in the south of Italy on the coast. It’s believed to have first been settled by Bronze Age Greeks over 4,000 years ago and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world.

Naples has come a long way from being one of the most bombed cities during World War Two to the bustling urban centre it is today. Tourists wishing to stay here have a beautiful selection of holiday rentals in Naples to choose from, both within the city centre and spread out along the coastal outskirts.

Naples has the largest historical centre in Europe which is protected under the award of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a rich collection of historical museums and places of interest to explore, including the fascinating National Museum of Archaeology.

Come to the invigorating city of Milan, capital of its region, Lombardy and kingdom of wealth, fashion and splendour! It has an urban area population of over five million people which makes it the largest in Italy. Milan saw a major boost in their economy after the Second World War when it began building and expanding their banking, fashion and design industries. It is now the richest city in Italy and the strong beating heart of its economy.

Tourists can choose from some stylish apartment rentals in Milan where they can relax after a day of shopping and visiting tourist attractions! They'll love the modern sleek atmosphere of Milan that has something to offer everyone. Those who adore shopping will think they’ve arrived in paradise when they walk through it.