Palermo, Italy Cruises

Sicily is one of the most iconic parts of Italy for a number of reasons, with this sunkissed Mediterranean island being well known for its chequered history. Despite all the legends about mafia dons and other shady characters, there's actually an awful lot of civilisation and sophistication to discover the isle, with various empires and kingdoms having ruled over it since the capital, Palermo, was established by the Phoenicians. To get a taste of the city's rich history and culture, head to landmarks such as the stunning Gesu Church, which was built in the 16th century in an architectural style that would come to define the island over the next 150 years or so. Elsewhere, the Cappella Palatina is another must-see, with its Arabian mosaics being truly breathtaking. Another thing for which Sicily is famous is its cuisine, and all across Palermo you'll find fantastic restaurants serving up local dishes such as pasta alla norma and other ragu-based culinary creations. Alternatively, you could head to the street markets around the Piazza del Carmine for the chance to sample some other popular Sicilian snacks, including the likes of arancini, which are fried rice balls containing meat, tomato sauce and mozzarella.