Sicily

We visited Cefalu, a colourful coastal town dominated by its impressive cathedral. We then walked between hilltop villages in the Madonie National Park, which contains Sicily's highest mountains and is home to many species of wild animals, including fallow deer and wild boar, both of which we encountered. These limestone mountains are known as the Southern Dolomites. We finished in Palermo, the capital city, an incredible juxtaposition of Arab, Norman and Baroque art and architecture, finding jewels among the run down streets: decaying palazzos being given a new lease of life, amazing golden mosaics, beautiful churches, monasteries and nunneries, vibrant food markets and a real sense of authenticity.