A holiday in the Med is at the top of every bucket list, with many countries having beautiful beaches and great weather.
But it can be pretty hard to choose where to go for a great holiday.
GettyA stunning island has just been declared the “best in the Med”[/caption]
Getty – ContributorThe Italy island of Sicily has been named as the best one in the Mediterranean[/caption]
GettyThere are over 300 beaches in Sicily[/caption]
Image Bank – GettyThe island has over 900 miles of coastline[/caption]
While destinations in France and Spain are popular with Brits, an Italian island has been named the “greatest island in the Mediterranean” by a team of travel experts.
Factors like the weather, history and culture, and the world’s natural wonders all played a part in the decision-making process.
In their shortlist, a panel of travel judges at the Telegraph gave an honourable mention to holiday hotspots like Ibiza, Mallorca, and Santorini.
But it was the Italian island of Sicily that took the crown – and it’s easy to see why.
The island is set in the central Mediterranean Sea just south of the Italian mainland.
It’s surrounded by 900 miles of coastline and has more than 300 beaches.
Flights to Sicily are just over three hours from the UK and cost £60 for a one-way ticket.
Both Easyjet and WizzAir operate direct flights from London Gatwick to Catania.
Meanwhile, Ryanair and Easyjet both have direct routes from London to Palermo for as little as £40 each way.
With a flight time of two hours and 55 minutes, holidaymakers will arrive in the capital in less time than it takes to get to Athens in Greece and Antalya in Turkey.
Sicily has more than 350 sunny days a year, with temperature highs of 38C in the summer.
While a trip to Sicily in July and August may sound tempting, temperatures can become unbearable – especially if there’s a heatwave.
Heat radiates from the buildings, which are often old and lack air conditioning units.
If you can’t stand sweltering temperatures, it’s best to visit Sicily in May or September when the weather is more bearable.
Is eating and sleeping in Sicily affordable?
Even though the country uses the Euro, it’s an affordable destination for Brit holidaymakers.
Food and drink is cheap with a bottle of beer costing as little as £1.10 meanwhile a meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost £15.
For the cheapest eats, it’s best to stick to local cuisine.
Family-run and budget-friendly restaurants are known as “osterias” and “Trattorias”, they’ll be cheaper than tourist traps with plates of pasta often costing around £10.
Coffees like an espresso or a cappuccino can be purchased for £1 if they’re drunk at the bar or counter, so drink like a local and avoid taking a seat if you can.
Meanwhile, a traditional Sicilian breakfast of “brioche con gelato” (ice cream in a brioche bun) can be snapped up for as little as £2 with a refreshing granita (a flavoured ice drink) costing the same price.
Steer clear of fancy cocktails and be sure to order a bottle of house wine, which cost around £5 per bottle.
Takeaway pizzas in Italy can be found for as little as £4.50, although don’t forget to try Sicilian street food such as arancini (balls of fried risotto rice).
Hotels are affordable too with a night at a budget bed and breakfast costing as little as £39 per night based on two people sharing a room.
Brit holidaymakers with more of a budget can also book to stay in a four-star hotel in Catania from £49 price per person.
What is there to do in Sicily?
Most tourists head to Sicily for its coastline, with beautiful sandy seaside reorts.
Some of Sicily’s best beaches include San Vito Lo Capo, Mondello near Palermo, and the Scala dei Turchi near Agrigento.
In the island’s capital, Palermo, holidaymakers can visit attractions such as the cathedral and the palace as well as a food tour of the city’s food markets.
Meanwhile on the eastern side of the island is arguably Sicily’s most well-known attraction, Mount Etna.
While visitors heading to the volcano don’t need to book a guide, it is highly recommended.
Tours start from £30 and can take three hours as tourists are taken through volcanic summits and icicle caves below the volcano.
If Mt Etna hasn’t satisfied your volcanic appetite, then you can also visit the Aeolian islands.
By far the most famous is Stromboli, where tourists can book to see the eruptions for as little as £20 per person.
AlamyMt Etna is arguably Sicily’s main attractions[/caption]
GettyTreks up Sicily take around three hours[/caption]
As well as volcanoes make sure to visit the Valley of the Temples in Agrigentom, an archaeological site of the ruined city of Akragas, dating back hundreds of years.
Tickets cost £10 (£8.82) for a full-paying adult.
Away from the volcanoes and world-heritage sites, there are plenty of picturesque towns to discover on the island like Taormina and Syracuse.
There’s also Modica, which is famous for its baroque architecture and Aztec-style chocolate that doesn’t melt in the Sicilian heat.
Meanwhile, the coastal town of Cefalù is an ideal destination for families thanks to its sandy beaches.
Other activities on the island also include boat trips to the smaller island chains like the Aegadian Islands, scuba diving, and snorkelling in Isola Bella marine park.
GettyThe beaches are coveted by both locals and holidaymakers[/caption]
AlamyFor cheap eats, it’s best to check out the local food markets[/caption]
Getty – ContributorThere are seven world heritage sites on the island[/caption]
GettyBrit holidaymakers can fly from London to Sicily direct[/caption] Read More