Camping degli Ulivi

Start your Sicily explores with a saunter around Sferracavallo – there’s plenty of architecture to admire here, including two watchtowers constructed in the 14th and 15th centuries, and the 19th-century aristocratic Arezzo, Maggiore Amari and Palazzotto villas. And there’s the beach, of course: a mix of sandy parts and rocky corners, with a coral reef just off shore for those who fancy venturing out with a snorkel. Scuba diving trips can be sorted in town if you’d like to explore local shipwrecks, and there are plenty of shoreline restaurants for folk who’d rather find sea creatures on their plate. For more natural attractions, walk for half an hour or so to access the hikes and birdwatching in the Capo Gallo Nature Reserve, or drive for 10 minutes to Natural Reserve Cave Conza. Palermo, a 35-minute drive away, is certainly worthy of at least one day trip, and preferably several. The historic palazzos, the gorgeous Palatine Chapel, the baroque churches, the archaeological museum… all should be on the schedule, as should time spent eating one’s way around the street food stalls (Palermo’s often tipped as having some of the world’s finest street food…)