Recently restored, the Grand Hotel Wagner was built in heart of the city of Palermo at the turn of last century. It’s one of the most luxurious hotels ever established in Sicily. Located only a few steps away from the famous Teatro Massimo and just a stone‘s throw away from Palermo‘s fashion district, the hotel was named after the great German composer Richard Wagner who loved to sojourn here with his family whenever he had to be in Palermo to oversee productions of his operas. The place has all the charm of a fin de siecle hotel with its huge marble staircase, beautiful hall and elegantly furnished rooms which have an atmosphere from the old good days which will warm the cockles of your heart.

Continue reading: Luxurious hotels in Palermo: Grand Hotel Wagner

Monreale is one of Sicily’s most famous tourist destinations, for this stunning Norman cathedral built in 1174. The Duomo and the cloisters, built a few centuries apart from each other, are some of the most spectacular constructions to be seen in Sicily. Monreale is located just south of Palermo, on the slopes of Monte Caputo.

For packages to Italy and Sicily, see Siciliae.com where the four star Genoardo Park Hotel between Palermo and Monreale offers B&B accommodation with prices starting at 72 euros. Other discounted hotel packages for Sicily can be found on the same site.

If staying in Monreale itself, the Carrubella Park Hotel in the historic and artistic centre offers accommodation with bar and restaurant facilities, and incredible views over the Conca d’Oro. For more information, visit the site.

Photos | malex on Flickr and Allie on Flickr.

Continue reading: Packages to Sicily to visit the Norman cathedral of Monreale

If you’re looking for an alternative holiday destination in Italy, in both winter and summer, you could considere the Costa Tirrenica in Sicily. For accommodation in Sicily, one of the best sites is Siciliae.com, which is a portal to all things Sicilian between Palermo and Milazzo, on the Mar Tirreno.

This coastal strip in Sicily is dedicated to tourism, with beaches, boat moorings and beautiful seascapes. The most frequented town in the area is Cefalu, full of fashionable places that have transformed this fishing village into a notorious spot for VIPs and Italy’s rich and famous.

Points of interest in Cefalu are the Rock (Rocca) and the cathedral with its beautiful arab-norman art. The Rocca was the centre of the Islamic Italian city until 1604, and the Norman conquest. The Saracen stairs lead to the Temple of Diana.

Continue reading: Holidays in Sicily: the Costa Tirrenica from Palermo

Saint Valentine’s day is looming on the horizon and if you haven’t decided yet where to spend this rather special day, the package offered by the Hotel Porta Felice can be perfect for you. Located in an old palazzo near the famous Giardini del Foro Italico in Palermo, the four star hotel has 30 bedrooms and 3 beautiful suites. The offer valid from 13th to 16th February includes a series of relaxing massages and a sumptuous breakfast on the beautiful terrazzo overlooking the city of Palermo. The superior double room has Internet access, LCD tv and one balcony. It will cost you 200 euros per night. The hotel also has a state of the art wellness centre offering a variety of body treatments and massages which are not necessarily included in the above offer. By the way, if you love art, Palermo is also hosting an amazing art-exhibition devoted to one of the greatest artists of the 20th century: Pablo Picasso; 66 of his works will be on display at Palazzo dei Normanni until 8th March. Don’t miss it!

Continue reading: Saint Valentine's day breaks in Sicily: four-star hotel Porta Felice, Palermo

Palermo in Sicily is an amazing city; good food, beautiful palaces, sunshine galore and above all the warmth of its people. So if you’re planning to visit the city you may find this post quite interesting. Last August I booked into a nice bed and breakfast hotel called Soleluna (Moon and Sun); a very special hotel indeed; in fact they donate part of the money they earn to charity associations.

This rather interesting initiative has been supported by Arciragazzi di Palermo, a cultural foundation established by a group of young people that live in Palermo and are eager to help those in need. Mss Patrica, the manageress, told me that this hotel is a dream come true; she looks on it as a house whose doors are always open to the world!

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Bed and breakfast hotels: Soleluna in Palermo

Oman’s Sultan, Qabus bin Said, recently made an appearance in Palermo, arriving on his private Boeing 747 jet. He then went by helicopter to his luxury ship docked at Palermo’s port.

The yacht carries his same name and cost 500 million euros. The yacht is an unequalled example of opulence, which includes a theatre and garden, making Giorgio Armani’s yacht look more like a rubber ducky equivalent.

To house the Sultan’s entourage more than 190 rooms in three luxury hotels were required, with the brief trips required being made with two limousines and 24 Mercedes.

Continue reading: Sultan of Oman in Italy for vacation