Sicily is a place unlike any other in Italy. It is a place of myth, magic, romance and sun. Inevitably, it will cast a spell on you. Be prepared. Indeed, upon stepping into the streets of towns such as Taormina, Siracusa, Giardini di Naxos or Palermo, where oranges fall at your feet and lemons hang in place of pine cones, you may start to realize why the naturally romantic Italians themselves say, "Sicily is paradise". Sicily, throughout history has been a place where more cultures have converged than any other in Europe or the world.  From the Arabs who first settled there, to the Greeks, the Romans and the Normans, Sicily has been a melting pot and battle ground of culture, tradition, art and architecture. The ruins, located throughout Sicily are numerous, vast and incredible. Sicily may be more interesting to those who enjoy adventures off the "beaten path".  It may be difficult in some respects for visitors to navigate the island, but the tourist information system is getting progressively better.  It is well worth the risk to dive right into Sicilian culture, for what awaits a guest in this rich Italian province is nothing short of magic. It takes approximately seven hours by train from Naples to arrive in Sicily and about ten hours from Rome.   If taking the train to Sicily from places such as Rome or Florence, it is advised for those who can sleep on the train, to take a night train which has beds.  However, if you are travelling by car, it is to your advantage, for the travelling time will be faster and you will have access to inland Sicilian villages and towns that are otherwise inaccessible. If you'd rather not drive, you will find that train and bus services throughout Sicily are quite good, with stops at all major towns and cities. The world's first multicultural society was in Sicily. Today, it is Europe's most historic cosmopolitan region. The land is full of archaeological wonders. Amazing art, folklore and awe inspiring scenery greets visitors at every turn. Delicious food at reasonable prices is available wherever or whenever you have a craving. This captivating place was once a Greek colony, a Norman kingdom, a Roman province and an Arab emirate. The Aragonese, the Swabians, Angevins, Carthaginians and Phoenicians have all called Sicily home at one time or another and they've left behind an interesting and diverse history that is filled with mystique. Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean basin, with approximately 1,000 kilometers of coastline, which is sandy in the south, and rocky in the north. Around it lays the smaller islands of Pelagie, Egadi and Aeolian, among others. The landscape has great contrast, but mountains and hills dominate. Near Catania, there is a vast plain. To the east, Mount Etna is Sicily's tallest mountain, reaching heights of 3,300 feet meters and the largest volcano in Europe. Every year in winter, bubbling, fiery slag, in the form of lava flows down the sides of the snow-capped mountain, while ash and smoke spew from its mouth. The southeast side of the mountain consists of high plateaus that are made up of lava, limestone and tufa. Numerous chasms have been carved into the mountainside through the ages by erosion. The mountain is entirely protected within a national park. The majesty of the spectacular landscapes will leave you in awe. Life in Sicily is slow-paced, the atmosphere one of relaxation and tranquility, which is moving toward a new modern society. The people of the region are delightful. Though intensely proud of family and country, they are friendly, charitable, generous, cheerful and gracious. When greeted, visitors feel that at last they have come home. Palermo was founded as a port during the eighth century B.C. Today, it is the largest urban center in Sicily. Be sure to visit the city center and gaze in awe at magnificent convents, palaces, monasteries, and churches that make up the ancient, medieval historical district. There are seven theatres in the city center if you wish to spend a night on the town. A must-see is the Royal Palace, a spectacular architectural structure that was built in the twelfth century. Other things you won't want to miss include the Cathedral and the Regional Archaeological Museum, which houses and extensive collection of Greek and Etruscan art. Taormina is a charming village by day and captivating by night. It sits on the side of the mountain, 200 meters above sea level, gazing down on the Ionian Sea. You will delight in the diminutive passages and the winding, medieval streets. Ice cream bars, cafes and restaurants can be found in every nook and cranny.