Sicily & the Aeolian Islands

Sicily is proving an increasingly popular destination as it combines so much in one location, with some of the finest Greek ruins in Europe, several lovely towns, beaches to rival those anywhere else in the Mediterranean, and looming over it all, the brooding presence of Mount Etna. In terms of accommodation, several of the best - well, more correctly, most famous - hotels on the island have recently undergone much needed and serious renovations so there's now an excellent choice.

Just to the north of Sicily lie the far less well-known Aeolian Islands, a collection of tiny gems well loved by Italians, but rarely heard of elsewhere. Each island has a strikingly different character, and there are a handful of charming and characterful boutique hotels available for anyone interested in getting seriously away from it and Original Travel can take all the hassle out of booking the ferry tickets and transfers.