Sardinia / Sicily

About the destination: Alghero is one of Sardinia’s most beautiful cities. Due to its gorgeous beaches it has become a very popular holiday resort with herds of tourist arriving every summer. Yet it has managed to keep its unique character and its charming atmosphere. The narrow streets of the old city, named Barcelonetta due to the island’s Catalan past, are crowded on the peninsula surrounded by a fortified bastion. Walking through this medieval world, visitors will discover the striking cathedral, built in the 16th century in Catalan-Gothic style. The church of San Francesco has a beautiful Gothic interior and a small golden cloister. From the cute little fishing port, below the city walls, boats depart towards the Grotta di Nettuno or Neptune's Caves, one of the island’s most spectacular attractions. But undoubtedly the main attraction of Alghero is wandering around its streets, discovering its charming spots while contemplating the sunset that bathes the Mediterranean in warm glowing light.

About the destination: Taormina is a charming hillside town on the east coast of Sicily, Italy and is one of the island's main tourist resorts. Taormina has been a very popular tourist destination since the 19th century. It has popular beaches (accessible via an aerial tramway) on the Ionian Sea, which is remarkably warm and has a high salt content. Since the opening of the first hotel in 1874, Taormina has become one of the world top tourist destinations where visitors can experience a perfect combination of old times charming atmosphere, preservation of history and culture, an elegant and lively way of life to be enjoyed in relaxing walks through the old town pedestrian areas. The tourist has a lot to do and see: top level art performances at the Greek theatre, several painting exhibitions held in local palazzi and churches, fine elegant shopping along the famous “Corso Umberto” with its classical music coffees and pastry shops. Or visiting local art museums, taking naturalistic walks in the surrounding countryside, golfing at the nearby 18-holes green, enjoying the fantastic beaches at easy reach, where the mild Mediterranean climate allows to practice all water sports as swimming, scuba diving, sailing, windsurfing, or just sunbathing for nearly eight months a year and even more.