TRAVEL TIDBITS
and out of the wind-scorched conifers, which line our route to our hillside haven, Villa Elisabetta, in the Madonie National Park.
Equipped with all the wonderful amenities of any top notch hotel – spacious pool, loungers, air con, brilliantly equipped kitchen – it’s the view of the coastline which steals the thunder.
Pearlescent skies in soft pinks and blues, greys and peaches, are a delight to the eyes, while the fragrance of pine and lavender fills the air.
With the luxury of a car, you can visit ancient sites, from the Roman ruins at Enna to the castles and cathedrals further afield, not to mention the volcano, but it’s a large island and we’re too far from the famous Mount Etna for a day trip.
With children in tow, historical sights may not be first on the list, but the beach at Cefalu certainly is. It’s a pretty coastal town, the northwest coast’s rival to Taormina, where seafront cafes serving delicious pizzas oozing with cheese and tomatoes are just a short stroll away from the pretty old town, with its cobbled streets, trinket shops, bijou restaurants and buzzing town square and cathedral.
It’s an ideal place for all generations, as youngsters try their hand at surfing and canoeing, or peruse the beachfront stalls, while older culture vultures venture up to the Gothic 12th century cathedral, or Duomo, and to the museums.
West of Cefalu, we find the ruins at Solunto, a wild location set on impressive cliffs and one of the earliest Phoenician trading posts on the islands, but there are other more extensive ruins elsewhere, including the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento in the west.
On another day, we drive inland from Lascari, through the foothills of the Madonie mountains, coming across a pretty town called Castelbuono, which houses an impressive 15th century feudal castle, busy old-fashioned streets and welcoming hostelries, where friendly restaurateurs serve us mouthwatering pasta and cold drinks.
Arriving back at our hillside villa, it’s difficult to believe the island still harbours a strong Mafia influence – but with responsible tourism and a new generation, we may eventually see a Sicily that makes its own choices and says “addio” to the mob.
Hannah Stephenson was a guest of CV Villas PA maur EUROPE Take a Vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal in Venice and see a Dutch cheese and clogs demonstration on Topdeck’s Grand European trip.
Travellers can score a 10 per cent discount on the 2015 trip when they book and pay in full before August 31.
The trip starts in London and travels to Paris, the Swiss Alps, Avignon, Barcelona, the French Riviera, Rome, Florence, Venice, Pag Island, Ljubljana, Austrian Alps, Prague, Berlin and Amsterdam.
The 28-day adventure will have Topdeckers visiting the former concentration camp Mauthausen, seeing Pont du Gard and smelling fresh after a French Riviera perfumery experience.
Priced from $3758 a person, the trip includes five nights hotel upgrade, 12 nights in hostels, eight nights in bungalows at European campsites and two nights in an Austrian Gasthof.
The price includes 27 breakfasts, nine lunches, 16 dinners, English Channel ferry crossings, transport in a modern air-conditioned coach, guided tours of all major cities, a trip leader, driver and on-site chefs. Departure July 5-September 27, 2015.
THAILAND The Palms Retreat Samui, a wellness resort offering a healthy lifestyle, is partnering with the island’s most renowned health specialists and wellness practitioners to create personalised guest programs.
The three, seven and 10-day (or longer) detox programs include a menu of daily smoothies together with yoga, meditation, physical activity and massage.
The Palms Retreat is located in a private estate in the northeast corner of Samui, near Cheong Mon Beach.
All-inclusive daily rates include accommodation in spacious ensuite rooms, a choice of detox programs, yoga and meditation sessions, a daily 60-minute massage, guided morning walk, free cold pressed juices, complimentary herbal teas, and healthy cuisine. Rates start from $308 a person, a night. For two people sharing a room, the second person enjoys a 35 per cent discount. There is also a 20 per cent discount opening offer throughout July.
Do you have a travel deal? Email coastweekend@news.com.au