GETTING THERE

FLIGHTS & VISAS Flights to Rome are relatively cheap from Johannesburg. I travelled with Ethiopian Airlines and landed a deal at R5 000 return. From Rome, catch a flight to Palermo on a regional airline such as Ryanair. South African passport-holders require a Schengen visa.

GETTING AROUND Walking is best and there are plenty of bus routes, but they get full, particularly on weekends to and from the city’s closest beach, Mondello. I also advise a visit to quaint Cefalu nearby.

Find train schedules and tickets at trenitalia.com.

CURRENCY Euros, but on the whole I found Sicily to be far cheaper than Rome and Florence.