The town of Francavilla in the heart of the beautiful Alcantara valley is in ideal base from which to explore eastern Sicily. The lively seaside resort of Taormina and the breathtaking volcano of Mount Etna are both only 20 kilometres away, and there is local natural beauty to be found at the nearby olive-groved gorges. Hotel D Orange D Alcantara, Messina
Run by a friendly local family, this hotel in Pozzallo is set just a few blocks from the Mediterranean and within easy walking distance of the sights of this harbour town. Manenti's House, Ragusa
Hotel Albatross is a striking modern hotel a short distance from Syracuse's ancient centre. There are 18 beautifully designed rooms, each with luxurious en-suite facilities plus cable/satellite TV and direct-dial telephone. Hotel Albatros, Syracuse
A lovely four-star Sicily hotel, La Rosa sul Mare is on the most beautiful hillside of the Plemmirio nature park in Siracusa, with its cliffs of white rock and its flowered terraces gently sloping down to the Ionian Sea. La Rosa sul Mare, Syracuse
The charming Hotel Posta is ideally located on the edge of the Island of Ortigia close to the harbour. There are 14 clean, comfortable rooms, all simply furnished and with en-suite bathroom, air-conditioning, TV, direct-dial telephone and internet link. Hotel Posta, Syracuse
The Hotel Villa Diana is an attractive, bijou hotel on the Aeolian Island of Lipari off the coast of northern Sicily. Located 400 metres from the main road, and only a kilometre from Lipari town's pretty little harbour, the Villa Diana has just 12 neat bedrooms, all overlooking the garden and sun terrace. Hotel Villa Diana, Messina
Hotel Tre Torri is handsome three star hotel set a short distance outside Agrigento. There are 118 spacious rooms, all with modern en-suite facilities as well as satellite TV, direct-dial telephone, personal safe and hairdryer. The hotel has a fine restaurant, an elegant piano bar and a discotheque. Hotel Tre Torri, Agrigento
Hotel des Etrangers et Miramare, Syracuse, is a luxurious five-star hotel with its own private beach in the ancient Isle of Ortigia, Syracuse. There are 80 beautifully decorated, spacious rooms, many with fabulous sea views and each with en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, telephone, satellite TV and minibar. Hotel Des Etrangers et Miramare, Syracuse
